NJSO announces 2016 NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute

July 11–16 at Princeton University

• Six-day program will give participating composers musical- and career-development experience
• Institute includes sessions with Institute Director Steven Mackey, conductor David Robertson, NJSO musicians and industry leaders
• Presented in collaboration with the Princeton University Department of Music, funded in part by Edward T. Cone Foundation and Princeton University
• Application deadline is March 4

NEWARK, NJ (January 25, 2016)—The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is proud to continue the NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute, a multi-faceted program that promotes new music and emerging composers, presented in collaboration with the Princeton University Department of Music and generously funded in part by the Edward T. Cone Foundation and Princeton University. The Institute will select four composers to participate in intense compositional evaluations and consultations July 11–16 on the Princeton University campus; the program will culminate in a live concert performance of the participants’ works by the NJSO on July 16 at 8 pm at the Richardson Auditorium.

At the Institute, participating composers will have their work rehearsed and performed by the NJSO and will participate in master classes with Institute Director Steven Mackey, as well as receive feedback from NJSO musicians and guest conductor David Robertson, music director of the St. Louis Symphony and chief conductor and artistic director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The Institute will also provide career-development opportunities with industry leaders.

The Institute’s application process is now open. Emerging composers—university composition students or composers in the early stages of their professional careers—must submit completed applications by the March 4 deadline. Four composers will be identified to participate in the Institute by April 4.

The Star-Ledger has highlighted the Institute’s unique construction and appeal, noting that it addressed both “artistic and professional development—the many sides of how to translate one person’s idea into a piece of music played by dozens of musicians, effectively led by a conductor and accessible to an audience … [It] is not unusual for orchestras to offer composers a chance for private readings, but a full performance—much less one on a concert of all new works—is far less common.”

Mackey says: “There are a lot of reading opportunities for young composers, but with the Cone Institute’s one-on-one sessions, ample rehearsal time, thoughtful feedback from musicians and sessions with industry leaders, we can offer these composers the rare opportunity to get a truly professional experience in writing for orchestra. The composers will receive a lot of thoughtful, considered reactions from the orchestra and practical advice that will help them move forward in their careers. This year, I am pleased to welcome a longtime collaborator of mine, conductor David Robertson, to work with the composers of the Institute and conduct their works in concert.”

By the conclusion of the Institute’s laboratory experience, participants will have gained invaluable musical and practical feedback about writing for orchestra through real-time interactions with Mackey, Robertson and NJSO musicians and advice from decision makers in the industry about how to get their music published and performed.

Daniel J. Choi, one of the composers of the inaugural Institute, said: “I really liked what the Institute offered—a lot of programs are [only] a reading session, or a performance or a workshop. It’s never really all three of them together. What appealed to me about the Cone Institute was all the exposure it offered to [aspects of] the music business that most programs don’t. To get a performance by [a professional orchestra], to work with Steve Mackey on the composing side and to also have masterclasses on the business side—sessions about publishing and editing, even public speaking, radio interviews—it was a great all-around experience.”

The four composers chosen to participate in the Institute will participate in daily activity that will include rehearsals of their works by Robertson and the NJSO, followed by small group gatherings with faculty and NJSO musicians to discuss applications and variations on the possible vs. the practical in composition; one-on-one and group coaching sessions with Mackey; sessions with industry leaders to broaden awareness of current practices in publishing, licensing, promotion and music preparation; interviews in a studio session with WQXR’s Q2 Music and the opportunity to refine personal presentation and networking skills. The NJSO will present the world premiere of each composer’s work at a public concert on July 16 at Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus; the Orchestra may program selected composers’ works on future NJSO concerts. Participants will also receive access to video recordings of small-group gatherings.

“It was incredible to hear my music played by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra,” 2015 Institute participant Luke Carlson says. “They’re fantastic to work with, and they’re very energized to be part of a collaborative experience. Alexander Hall [at Princeton University] is an amazing space—all the instruments come through crystal clear, so it is great to hear each instrument pop in rehearsal. The musicians suggested some really practical changes—pieces of advice [about writing for their instruments], and I appreciated that back-and-forth dialogue.”

The Institute is tuition-free; housing on the campus of Princeton University and on-campus meals will be provided, if needed.

The NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute grew out of reading sessions the Orchestra has held with Princeton University graduate students biennially for more than a decade. The Institute celebrates its namesake Cone’s legacy as both a composer and a Princeton University professor.

 

WQXR’s Q2 Music has partnered with the NJSO to broadcast the first two Institute concerts. The 2014 inaugural concert is available to stream at www.wqxr.org/#!/story/four-world-premieres-cone-composition-institute; the 2015 concert is available at www.wqxr.org/#!/story/listen-four-world-premieres-steven-mackey-and-cone-institute.

 

View in-depth coverage of past Institute sessions—including a chronicle of each day’s masterclasses and sessions, composer interviews and press links—on the NJSO’s Institute blog at www.njsymphony.org/about-njso/newsroom/in-the-news/njso-edward-t-cone-institute-blog.

 

Major underwriting support for the NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute is generously provided by the Edward T. Cone Foundation and Princeton University.

 

ELIGIBLITY/SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be accepted from emerging composers who must be either a U.S. citizen or non-citizen lawfully residing in the United States. Applicants must currently be university composition students or in the early stages of their professional careers. Applicants must be at least 18 years old on or before July 1, 2016.

Participating composers will be selected through competitive application by a panel administered by the NJSO. The criteria for participation will be the panel’s assessment of the composer’s invention and creativity in the orchestral medium, as well as a demonstrated understanding of the technical/practical requirements of the medium. Final decisions will be made by Steven Mackey and David Robertson.

Composers who have participated in previous Institutes may not reapply. Previous applicants may resubmit works previously entered or reapply with a different work.

Complete applications with all required supporting materials must be received by March 4. Applicants will be notified of their status by April 4.

A full list of application requirements, deadlines and other information, including a link to the application form, are available at www.njsymphony.org/institute.

For more information, contact Alexandra Black, NJSO Artistic Operations Coordinator, at ablack@njsymphony.org or 973.735.1740.

 

INSTITUTE PERSONNEL

Steven Mackey, Institute Director and Princeton University Department of Music Chair

Steven Mackey was born in 1956 to American parents stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. He is regarded as one of the leading composers of his generation and has composed for orchestra, chamber ensemble, dance and opera. His first musical passion was playing the electric guitar in rock bands based in northern California. He blazed a trail in the 1980s and 90s by including the electric guitar and vernacular music influence in his concert music, and he regularly performs his own works, including two electric guitar concertos and numerous solo and chamber works. He is also active as an improvising musician and performs with his band Big Farm.

Mackey’s music has been performed by leading musical institutions throughout the world, including the Los Angeles, BBC and New York philharmonics; San Francisco and Chicago symphonies; Philadelphia and Concertgebeouw orchestras and Brentano, Kronos and Arditti string quartets, among others. He has received numerous awards, including a Grammy Award in 2012 for his album Lonely Motel: Music From Slide.

 

David Robertson, conductor

A consummate musician, masterful programmer and dynamic presence, American maestro David Robertson has established himself as one of today’s most sought-after conductors. A passionate and compelling communicator with an extensive orchestral and operatic repertoire, he has forged close relationships with major orchestras around the world through his exhilarating music-making and stimulating ideas. In fall 2015, Robertson launched his 11th season as music director of the 136-year-old St. Louis Symphony. In January 2014, Robertson assumed the post of chief conductor and artistic director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Australia.

Born in Santa Monica, California, Robertson was educated at London’s Royal Academy of Music, where he studied horn and composition before turning to orchestral conducting. Robertson is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. He and his wife, pianist Orli Shaham, are parents of twin boys. Robertson also has two older sons.

 

NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Named “a vital, artistically significant musical organization” by The Wall Street Journal, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra embodies that vitality through its statewide presence and critically acclaimed performances, education partnerships and unparalleled access to music and the Orchestra’s superb musicians.

Under the bold leadership of Music Director Jacques Lacombe, the NJSO presents classical, pops and family programs, as well as outdoor summer concerts and special events. Embracing its legacy as a statewide orchestra, the NJSO is the resident orchestra of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark and regularly performs at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown and bergenPAC in Englewood. Partnerships with New Jersey arts organizations, universities and civic organizations remain a key element of the Orchestra’s statewide identity.

In addition to its lauded artistic programming, the NJSO presents a suite of education and community engagement programs that promote meaningful, lifelong engagement with live music. Programs include school-time Concerts for Young People performances, NJSO Youth Orchestras family of student ensembles and El Sistema-inspired NJSO CHAMPS (Character, Achievement and Music Project. The NJSO’s REACH (Resources for Education and Community Harmony) chamber music program annually brings original programs—designed and performed by NJSO musicians—to a variety of settings, reaching more than 22,000 people in nearly all of New Jersey’s 21 counties.

For more information about the NJSO, visit www.njsymphony.org or email information@njsymphony.org. Tickets are available for purchase by phone 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or on the Orchestra’s website.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s programs are made possible in part by The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.

 

PRESS CONTACT

National & NYC Press Representative:
Dan Dutcher, Dan Dutcher Public Relations | 917.566.8413 | dan@dandutcherpr.com

Regional Press Representative:
Victoria McCabe, NJSO Communications and External Affairs | 973.735.1715 | vmccabe@njsymphony.org

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