Join Email List
The New York Philharmonic and American Composers Orchestra, in collaboration with ACO’s EarShot: the National Orchestra Composition Discovery Network, announce the selection of six emerging composers from an international pool of more than 400 applicants from seven countries and 37 states ranging in age from 9 to 84, whose original scores for orchestra have been chosen for readings and performances by the Philharmonic as part of the inaugural NY PHIL BIENNIAL.
New York Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert will lead the Philharmonic in a closed reading session of six works on June 3, at which the participants and mentor composers will be present. Three pieces will be selected to be performed on NY PHIL BIENNIAL concerts taking place on June 5 and 7, with Alan Gilbert conducting, and on June 6, with Matthias Pintcher conducting, at Avery Fisher Hall. Alan Gilbert will meet with the participating composers before the June 3 reading, take part in feedback meetings along with Philharmonic musicians and mentor composers, and meet individually with the three composers whose works are selected. The mentor composers for the New York Philharmonic EarShot Readings are Christopher Rouse, Steve Mackey, Derek Bermel, Robert Beaser, and Matthias Pintscher.
“The New York Philharmonic’s presentation of works discovered through the EarShot composition discovery program is a particularly important and gratifying element of the NY PHIL BIENNIAL,” Alan Gilbert said. “Our goal for this project is to share with our audience the freshest music from new voices today. When we announced the call for scores we had no idea what it would yield. We were overwhelmed by the more than 400 submissions we received, and it was quite a challenge to hone them down to six for the Orchestra to read — I can honestly say that I have no idea which three will be selected to be performed on our concerts. Supporting new compositions and composers is imperative in keeping orchestras and classical music vital, and on a personal level, it fills me with great joy to be able to work with emerging composers to give them a platform for discovery.”
Michael Geller, president of ACO, adds: “American Composers Orchestra is excited to extend our role as a catalyst for emerging American composers by collaborating with the New York Philharmonic, whose NY PHIL BIENNIAL has a mission kindred to our own.” Geller Continues, “We are also delighted to partner with the Philharmonic in its own readings program under the auspices of EarShot, the National Orchestra Composition Discovery Network. The New York Philharmonic is joining a growing roster of orchestras across the country in working with Earshot to connect to the next generation of great new composers and bring their music to their musicians and audiences.”
The New York Philharmonic Readings are organized in partnership with EarShot, a program of the American Composers Orchestra in collaboration with the American Composers Forum, League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA. EarShot helps orchestras around the country to identify and support promising composers in the early stages of their careers. EarShot advises organizations on the programs that would best suit their new-composer needs — from new-music readings to composer residencies and competitions — and assists with planning, identifying composers through its extensive nationwide calls, and program design and execution.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS:
The Underwood New Music Readings also offer composers, students, or anyone interested in learning more about the business of being a composer a Career Development Seminar on Saturday, June 7 from 10am-4pm at the DiMenna Center. These invaluable talks, led by leaders in the industry, provide information ranging from copyright and commission agreements, to music preparation, to promotion, and fundraising.
The workshops are a practical guide for any composer wishing to gain a better understanding of these critical aspects to success as a composer today. Previously only available to participants in the Readings, ACO has made a limited number of spaces available to aspiring composers from the community for a small registration fee.
The cost for the Seminar is $25, which includes lunch. Reservations required.
Topics Include:
Copyright and Commissioning Basics – C. Katherine Baron, Esq., Alter & Kendrick, LLP
Be Prepared: Introduction to professional score and parts production– Bill Holab, Principal, Bill Holab Music Services, president
Support Structures for Composers– John Nuechterlein, President and CEO, American Composers Forum & Ed Harsh, President and CEO, New Music USA
Publicity and Promotion– Christina Jensen, Principal, Christina Jensen PR and others from New York Philharmonic Staff to be determined
Reality Check: The Real Way Orchestra Programming Gets Done (and how to get in on it)– guest composers and administrators panel discussion moderated by Frank J. Oteri, composer advocate and senior editor, NewMusicBox
This event is part of the New York Philharmonic’s inaugural NY PHIL BIENNIAL, a Musical Playground of the Here and Now
The New York Philharmonic EarShot New Music Readings are made possible with the support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music and with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts. Additional funding provided by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.