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AMERICAN BRASS QUINTET ANNOUNCES ROUND ONE - For Round Two Information see below RECIPIENTS OF EMERGING COMPOSER COMMISSIONS [New York, November 21, 2006] The American Brass Quintet is pleased to announce the recipients of Round One of its emerging composer commission grants funded through a major grant from The Jerome Foundation. In Round One, the ABQ determined to award two grants. The recipients are Gordon Beeferman and Shafer Mahoney, both of New York City. Each composer will receive a commission grant of $6,000. The work by Mr. Beeferman is tentatively scheduled for premiere during the 2007-08 season and that of Mr. Mahoney during the 2008-09 season. The works will receive premiers at Lincoln Center in New York as well as at the Aspen Music Festival with additional performances on tour. About the Recipients Composer/pianist Gordon Beeferman leads a diverse career ranging from concerto soloist to free-improviser regularly collaborating with classical and jazz artists as well as choreographers. As a performer he has been heard at Roulette, Merce Cunningham Studio, and the Improvised and Otherwise Festival as well as venues in Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Toronto. His compositions have been performed by organizations such as the Albany Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and Eighth Blackbird. Shafer Mahoney studied at Princeton and the Eastman School of music. Among his teachers were Christopher Rouse and Joseph Schwantner. Among the organizations previously commissioning him are the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, New York Youth Symphony, Seattle Symphony and Relâche Ensemble. Mr. Mahoney is an associate professor at the City University of New York and teaches advanced orchestration at The Juilliard School. Round Two Round Two of the ABQ emerging composer commissions will have an application deadline of April 1, 2008. Complete information and application materials (pdf). The American Brass Quintet Founded in 1960, the American Brass Quintet is regarded as the premiere brass quintet performing today. The ABQ is ensemble-in-residence both of The Juilliard School and Aspen Music Festival. Approximately 150 works have been commissioned or premiered by the ABQ and approximately 50 recordings have been released. While the ABQ has commissioned emerging composers throughout its history, a multi-year grant from The Jerome Foundation enabled the ABQ to formalize the process. The Jerome Foundation The Jerome Foundation was founded by filmmaker, painter, composer and philanthropist Jerome Hill. The foundation makes grants that support the creation of new work by professional emerging artists in Minnesota and the five boroughs of New York City. Other Recent/Coming ABQ Commissions Other composers currently or recently writing for the American Brass Quintet include: Grammy-winner Billy Childs, 2 Elements, funded by the New York State Music Fund for premiere July 25, 2007 at the Aspen Music Festival. Pulitzer-prize winner Paul Moravec’s Cornopean Airs, commissioned by the Gabe Wiener Foundation, premiered December 18, 2005 in New York City. Joan Tower’s Copperwave, commissioned by The Juilliard School in honor of the School’s 100th anniversary, premiered 2006 at Lincoln Center. Adam Schoenberg’s Reflecting Light, commissioned by the Aspen Music Festival, premiered July 29, 2006 at the Aspen Music Festival. Robert Maggio, A Sense of Space, commissioned by West Chester University in celebration of the Universities’ new School of Music and Performing Arts Center. The work will premiere April 14, 2007 in West Chester, PA. Additional info for press/media: Todd Stanton at 718-956-6092 |
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