For ten years the Minnesota Orchestra has held a Composers Institute to workshop and give some audience exposure to new pieces of music. The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is getting into the act this weekend with its first Emerging Composers Competition.
From the 49 scores submitted, a panel led by SPCO Composer-in-Residence Fred Lerdahl has chosen four finalists. They'll name a winner after Saturday night's concert.
Reporter Karl Gehrke is at work on a piece about the competition. One of the finalists, Dorothy Chang of Vancouver, BC, told him she's been looking forward to the event as a way to meet other composers, make new connections and present her music to a new audience. Her piece is called Chamber Variations.
"It's a very exciting time to be a composer," she says. "There's been an explosion of styles, genres and concepts and I think it continues to grow. The variety of things being written today is pretty amazing."
Saturday's concert is at 8:00 p.m. in the SPCO Center in downtown St. Paul. Karl's story will air tomorrow evening on All Things Considered.
Love the music?
Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.
Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.
YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.