[2] In 1998 Ndodana-Breen was the first Black classical composer to be awarded the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Music, by the National Arts Festival and sponsored by Standard Bank of South Africa.
Some of his music reflects on various scenes from his native Xhosa culture (such as Hintsa's Dances, which is based on the life of Paramount Chief Hintsa ka Khawuta, Apologia at Umzimvubu and Sons of The Great Tree).
[6] He has received commissions from across the globe from the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra[7] the Miller Theatre of New York,[8] Vancouver Recital Society, Minnesota Orchestra,[9] Madame Walker Theatre, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Noir/MusicaNoir, Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), National Arts Council of South Africa, Haydn Festival Eisenstadt,[10] Johannesburg International Mozart Festival, The Emancipation Festival of Trinidad & Tobago and Wigmore Hall, London (a quintet for pianist Maria João Pires[11]).
[13] South Africa's liberation struggle seems to be a major theme in his orchestral works such as his piano concerto Emhlabeni,[14] the short opera Hani on the anti-apartheid activist Chris Hani and more recently the oratorio Credo, a musical testament to the Freedom Charter.
Dr. Ndodana-Breen is also an advocate for cultural diversity, supporting various African efforts including LGBT causes.