NJSO Edward T. Cone Institute: daily blog

July 19, 2014

The NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute is here!

We’re on the scene in Princeton this week as four dynamic composers will enjoy an immersive week culminating in the NJSO’s world-premiere performances of their compositions on Saturday. The composers will hear their works in NJSO rehearsals, receive feedback from Music Director Lacombe and Orchestra musicians, participate in coaching sessions and master classes with renowned composer Institute Director Steven Mackey and meet with music-publishing industry leaders.

Follow us in this space and on Facebook and Twitter all week as we share dispatches from the Institute!

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July 19, 2014

World-Premiere Saturday is here!

The four Institute composers had their final group masterclass with Steven Mackey and final dress rehearsal with Jacques Lacombe this afternoon, leading up to the week's grand finale—the world-premiere performances of their original works.

The concert was an incredible concert experience. The composers shared the inspiration behind their works and highlighted key passages before Jacques Lacombe and the Orchestra performed each piece, and Steven Mackey gave his own unique insight into the composers he and Lacombe mentored this week.

The celebratory vibe continued at a post-concert reception, where composers, musicians and audience members mingled and enjoyed a special Ice Cream Cone Institute dessert courtesy of the Bent Spoon.

SATURDAY BLOG RECAP: check out photos from Saturday's performance and the Institute sessions.

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July 18, 2014

The Institute composers are preparing for the world premieres of their compositions tomorrow night—World-Premiere Saturday!

Get to know more about these talented composers here. We've been rolling out Q&A features with each composer as we get closer to the concert: read interviews with David Biedenbender, Daniel J. ChoiChris Rogerson and Lembit Beecher!

Tonight, the NJSO gave the world premiere of Edward T. Cone's Symphony. The influential composer and Princeton University professor has inspired generations of New Jersey composers, and his legacy continues with the NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute.

 

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July 17, 2014

Thursday was a whirlwind, two-state day for the Institute composers. The morning started with an individual masterclass with composer and Institute Director Steven Mackey at Princeton University.

At lunchtime, the composers boarded a train to New York City for an exciting afternoon. The group met at the offices of music publisher Boosey & Hawkes for a discussion of publishing and promotion, led by Boosey & Hawkes President Zizi Mueller. The composers then traveled to WQXR’s studios for interviews with the station’s Q2 Music.

The evening culminated in an intimate reception honoring the composers. NJSO President & CEO James Roe hosted a gathering that brought together arts-industry figures from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Imani Winds, Now Ensemble, Flux Quartet and more.

THURSDAY BLOG RECAP: check out photos from Thursday’s events.

Thursday also marked the official launch of the Ice Cream Cone Institute—a collaboration between Princeton’s Bent Spoon and the NJSO:

Learn more about the Ice Cream Cone Institute.

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July 16, 2014

The Institute composers are spending this morning watching NJSO Music Director Jacques Lacombe lead the Orchestra in rehearsal for the world premiere of Edward T. Cone's Symphony on Friday night.

The NJSO will rehearse the Institute composers' works for the first time this afternoon!

 

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UPDATE:
 

 

WQXR’s Q2 is looking forward to the Institute’s trip to the station’s New York studio tomorrow!

 
Post by Q2.

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July 15, 2014

Renowned composer and Institute Director Steven Mackey kicked off the NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute’s inaugural week with a group masterclass at Princeton University. Fttingly, the Institute sessions take place in the Cone Seminar Room, named for the late composer and Princeton University professor for whom the Institute is named.

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UPDATE:

On Tuesday afternoon, David Murray of Subito Music chatted with the Institute composers about the publishing industry, offering tips about the intricacies of splitting scores into parts.

Read more from Subito on its participation in the Institute.

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UPDATE:

Audience-engagement consultant Tom Cabaniss joined the Institute for the first day’s final session. The composers talked about the musical and personal inspiration behind their works, preparing for the on-stage introductions they’ll give the audience when the NJSO premieres their works on Saturday night.

 

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RELATED: Meet composers Lembit Beecher, David Biedenbender, Daniel J. Choi and Chris Rogerson

PREVIOUSLY:

Lacombe and Mackey shared their excitement for this special week in an interview with WWFM’s Rachel Katz. Listen to the interview at wwfm.org (June 28 episode).

Learn more about the Institute.

The NJSO Edward T. Cone Composition Institute is presented in collaboration with the Princeton University Department of Music and generously funded in part by the Edward T. Cone Foundation.