EARSHOT: (Re)Loading the Canon
What is the Classical music canon? How do we define it? How does it define us?
American experiences are constantly evolving, and American conservatories are adding an influx of high powered, open-minded musicians to our ecosystem. Virtuosity, now more than ever, is a perpetually moving target.
“(Re)loading the Canon” engages conservatories, orchestras, festivals, and young artist competitions in a growing collection of virtuosic, eight-minute concertos. These works can function as pairings with other standard repertoire, or single competition style works that display the lyricism, acrobatics and personality of the player.
- For Conservatories, the project provides an opportunity to participate in a national peer consortium, commission and workshop new concertos on campus, and foster student engagement with nationally-renowned composers and soloists.
- For Composers and Soloists, the project provides opportunities for paid commissions, workshops of the work, performances, and visibility on a national level.
- For Orchestras, the consortium showcases exciting new compositional voices and soloists through a series of new concert works.
- For Faculty, the project provides excellent options for new repertoire for auditions and study.
- For Competitions, new exciting repertoire is created, having been workshopped, recorded, and road-tested through conservatory partnerships.
- For Orchestras, the consortium showcases exciting new compositional voices and soloists through a series of new concert works,
PROJECT HISTORY:
In previous years, the American Composers Orchestra has partnered with institutions including the Juilliard School, the Northwestern University, The Curtis Institute for Music, the Eastman School of Music, Concert Artist Guild and the Sphinx Organization.
Originally launched with works for violin, viola, cello, and bass, the project continues to expand its repertoire across the orchestra while embodying the energy, excitement, and innovation that great competitions and performance opportunities inspire. The project brings together leading organizations and artists in the field to understand and harness the nature of canonization, identity, and vitality in classical music—inviting orchestras, soloists, faculty, composers, administrators, students, and audiences to own, contribute to, and challenge their canon.
Organizations interested in learning more about the project or exploring partnership opportunities are encouraged to reach out: curtis@americancomposers.org
WORKS
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QUESTIONS & INFORMATION
For additional information, please visit our website, americancomposers.org.
For questions or comments on (Re)Loading the Canon, please contact LaRob K. Rafael, Director of Composer Advancement: larob@americancomposers.org