Biography
Anvay Mathur (b. 2008) is a Singapore-based composer, pianist, and violinist whose musical journey began at the age of four. A classically trained pianist on the ABRSM Diploma track, he is currently pursuing advanced studies in composition with John Sharpley, David Serkin Ludwig, and Darius Lim.
Anvay's compositional voice is shaped by a deep curiosity for color, texture, and narrative. His works have been performed internationally, including A Grain of Sand, premiered at The Juilliard School, and Persistence of Being, performed by graduate students at the Jacobs School of Music. In Singapore, his music has been featured at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and the Singapore Composers Festival. He has also conducted his original works with his school orchestras.
In 2025, Anvay was selected as one of 29 students worldwide for The Juilliard School's Summer Composition Program and as one of seven students nationally for the Young Composers' Academy at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore. He was also chosen as one of four composers nationwide for the Young Composers Forum, a six-month mentorship culminating in the premiere his choral work anāhata by the SYC Ensemble Singers at the Singapore Composers Festival.
His recent work has received significant international recognition. He was awarded the Winner of the Royal Holloway Young Composer Competition (2026), receiving professional studio mastering support. He was also the sole winner of the edition49 / Musikwerkstatt Siegburg Youth Prize for Composers (2026, under 18), selected from approximately 300 submissions across 19 countries for his choral composition. In addition, he received Third Prize in the Sounds Good Rising Star International Young Composers Competition (2026, under 35), with his work selected for performance at the Taipei National Recital Hall.
Beyond original composition, Anvay is an active arranger and orchestrator. His full-orchestra arrangement of "Silent Night" and "Still, Still, Still," Stille, was commissioned by the Singapore American School Music Department for a 200-performer winter concert, and his chamber-orchestra orchestration of Over the Rainbow was created for community outreach performances. He is also the founder of the Asia Pacific Young Composers Collective (APYCC), through which he has impacted over 100 young composers across the region.
Awards & Honors
Selected recognitions and accolades
Winner, Royal Holloway Young Composer Competition (2026), Royal Holloway, University of London; with professional studio mastering awarded
edition49 / Musikwerkstatt Siegburg 2026 Youth Prize for Composers (Under 18), €300; sole winner in category for choral composition selected from ~300 submissions across 19 countries
Third Prize, Sounds Good Rising Star International Young Composers (under 35) Competition; selected for performance at Taipei National Recital Hall
Winner, The Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) Online Composition Festival 2026
Recipient, Leonard Bernstein Musicianship Award, Singapore American School, recognizing exceptional musical contribution, creativity, and dedication to the performing arts
Selected as one of two pianists from 200+ musicians to perform in the Finale at the IASAS Music Festival, Manila
Selected as one of 29 students globally for The Juilliard School's Summer Composition Program
Selected as 1 of 4 composers nationwide for the Young Composers Forum, a six-month mentorship culminating in the premiere of a new choral work by the SYC Ensemble Singers at the Singapore Composers Festival 2026
Chosen as one of 7 students nationally for the Young Composers' Academy at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, National University of Singapore
Gold Medal, Young Maestro International Competition, Composition Category
Terzo Premio, 35th Young Musician International Competition 'Città di Barletta'
National Finalist, The American Prize in Composition (High School Division), The Charles Ives Award
SAS Award for Excellence in Concert Strings
Young Artist Finalist, The Sound Ensemble International Composition Competition
Composition Finalist, Music International Grand Prix Competition
Gold Award, Global Young Musicians Competition
Compositions
A portfolio of original works
anāhata
2026 · for SATB chorus
Named after the Sanskrit concept of “unstruck sound,” anāhata, using the Hindustani raga Todi, explores the relationship between struck and unstruck. Premiered at the Singapore Composers Festival 2026 by SYC Ensemble Singers, conducted by Jennifer Tham.
A Grain of Sand
2025 · for Pierrot ensemble
Inspired by William Blake's Auguries of Innocence, the piece reflects on eternity through two contrasting expressions that gradually converge. Premiered at the Juilliard Summer Music Composition Student Recital 2025.
Morning Birds
2025 · for 2 violins, string orchestra, and harp
An orchestral reflection on the dawn birdsong I wake to in Singapore, shaped by the call of the Asian koel. Premiered at 27th Annual SAS Music Festival, where I conducted Morning Birds.
Quiet
2025 · for treble chorus
A five-minute choral setting of Eleanor Wong's poem Quiet, employing luminous harmonic colors and reflective textures. Written for the Voices of Singapore Women's Choir.
Advaitam
2025 · for alto saxophone
Advaitam, a Sanskrit word, means "non-duality:" an aspect of Hindu philosophy. Inspired by Hindustani classical music, the piece explores themes of unification and synthesis. Performed at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory (YST), National University of Singapore.
Persistence of Being
2024 · for flute, trumpet, violin, and piano
A study of the interplay of chaos and stillness, and the beauty that can be extracted from it. Premiered at the Summer 2024 Jacobs Composition Academy Recital at Indiana University.
Stille
2024 · for string orchestra, concert band, and SATB chorus (200+ performers)
Commissioned by Singapore American School Music Department to write full-orchestra arrangement of a medley of Silent Night and Still, Still, Still as a grand finale for their winter concert.
String Quartet, II. Largo
2024 · for string quartet
A compositional reflection of the textures and emotional expression possible from just 4 string instruments. Performed at the 2024 Vivace Benefit Concert in Singapore.
String Quartet, I. Andante marcato
2023 · for string quartet
Mixed quartal and quintal harmony with traditional tonal harmony through voice-leading and a study of traditional musical forms. Written for the 2023 SAS Honors Recital in Singapore.
Performances
Live recordings and concert footage
A Grain of Sand
2025
for Pierrot ensemble
Inspired by William Blake's Auguries of Innocence, the piece reflects on eternity through two contrasting expressions that gradually converge. Premiered at the Juilliard Summer Music Composition Student Recital 2025.
anāhata
2026
for SATB chorus
Named after the Sanskrit concept of “unstruck sound,” anāhata, using the Hindustani raga Todi, explores the relationship between struck and unstruck. Premiered at the Singapore Composers Festival 2026 by SYC Ensemble Singers, conducted by Jennifer Tham.
Stille
2024
for string orchestra, concert band, and SATB chorus (200+ performers)
Commissioned by Singapore American School Music Department to write full-orchestra arrangement of a medley of Silent Night and Still, Still, Still as a grand finale for their winter concert.
Advaitam
2025
for alto saxophone
Advaitam, a Sanskrit word, means "non-duality:" an aspect of Hindu philosophy. Inspired by Hindustani classical music, the piece explores themes of unification and synthesis. Performed at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory (YST), National University of Singapore.
Persistence of Being
2024
for flute, trumpet, violin, and piano
A study of the interplay of chaos and stillness, and the beauty that can be extracted from it. Premiered at the Summer 2024 Jacobs Composition Academy Recital at Indiana University.