2003 January | February

2002 February | March | June | November | December

2001 January | February | March | April | June | July | August | December

2000 October | November | December

FAITH PARTNERS PREMIERE PERFORMANCES BEGIN

(NOVEMBER 2002) In January 2002, the New York Chapter launched the first Faith Partners residency in New York with participating congregations Temple Emanu-El, St. Bartholomew's and St. Ignatius-Loyola, and composers Gerald Cohen and Charles Griffin. The first two premieres will take place this month, and illustrate the program's mission to draw together people of different faiths and cultures. Beginning November 17, premieres will occur through May 2003.

Date: Sunday, November 17, 11:00 a.m.
Place: St. Bartholomew's, 109 East 50th St. (Park Ave.)
Composer: Gerald Cohen
Premiere: Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting (Wordsworth)

Date: Sunday, November 24, 11:00 a.m.
Place: St. Ignatius-Loyola, 980 Park Ave (83rd & 84th)
Composer: Charles Griffin
Premiere: Psalm 23:1-6

Download a complete list of upcoming premieres.
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For more information, contact Renita Kalhorn at (212) 873-5315 or renita.kalhorn@verizon.net.

KEVIN JAMES & THOMAS ANTHONY NAZZIOLA SELECTED FOR VOCALESSENCE READING

(NOVEMBER 2002) New works by New York composer members Kevin James and Thomas Anthony Nazziola are among the five pieces selected for Essentially Choral, the reading session for works for voices and instruments co-sponsored by VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum. The program provides a unique opportunity for talented emerging composers to write for choral ensemble with instrumental accompaniment.

This year, 53 composers from 25 states submitted scores for consideration, and five were selected to be "read" (rehearsed) on January 17 and 18, 2003 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, Minn. The composers will travel to Minneapolis to hear their works-in-progress rehearsed by the 26-voice VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and then performed in a reading session with the Ensemble Singers, professional orchestral musicians, conductor Philip Brunelle, associate conductor Sigrid Johnson, and composer-mentor Sven-David Sandström. After the reading, the composers will benefit from mentoring sessions with Philip Brunelle and Sven-David Sandström.

"Because of the expense of working with such a large force of professional musicians, few composers will ever have the opportunity to hear their compositions performed during the process of writing the music. Essentially Choral gives these composers a chance to discover what works best – and what needs to be changed – in a supportive environment," says Faith Rynders, VocalEssence director of education and community partnerships.

This program is made possible through funds provided by the Jerome Foundation.

Learn more about Essentially Choral.
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CHAPTER HOSTS "DAY OF PERCUSSION" WORKSHOP

(JUNE 2002) On April 20, the New York Chapter hosted a workshop on writing for percussion at the Annual New York City Day of Percussion held at Queens College. Former chapter director Charles Griffin addressed an enthusiastic audience of undergraduate and graduate student composers on the vagaries of writing for contemporary percussion. Members of Timetable, a percussion trio, and Talujon, a percussion quartet, also joined in the discussion. New York-based composer Hiroya Miura discussed his "Puncture Me," scored for pitched and non-pitched instruments. Later that evening, Timetable gave a chapter-sponsored performance of the work.

FAITH PARTNERS COMPOSERS SELECTED

(MARCH 2002) In launching its inaugural Faith Partners residency, the New York Chapter has managed to set two precedents.

First, there were a record 45 applicants for the residency. Then, when it came time to make a final decision, the music directors of the first consortium – St. Bartholomew's (Episcopalian) Church, St. Ignatius-Loyola (Roman Catholic) Church and Temple Emanu-El – could not bring themselves to choose between the top two finalists.

St. Bartholomew's (Episcopalian) Church, St. Ignatius-Loyola (Roman Catholic) Church and Temple Emanu-El – could not bring themselves to choose between the top two finalists. As a result, composers Charles Griffin and Gerald Cohen were given the option of sharing the residency. Both have agreed and will split the compositional and community outreach duties.

Speaking for the consortium, Cantor Howard Nevison of Temple Emanu-El said: "Musically speaking, they are both special in their own right and will, I believe, give the entire project the kind of compositions that will benefit all three institutions. Talent like this should be encouraged and shared by all who love beautiful music."

The residency is funded by the Wolfensohn Family Foundation.

 

SALON SERIES TURNS SEVEN – FEATURES NEW PIANO MUSIC & GUESTS

(FEBRUARY 2002) In a focused effort to bring composers together with performers of new music, the chapter's January salon was devoted to new piano music. Pianists, both professional and amateur, from the New York metro area were invited to the January 19 event. More than 25 composers and pianists showed up to spend a snowy afternoon listening to recordings and live performances of pieces for solo piano, piano with voice, and piano with chamber ensemble. Among the invited guests were pianists from the Young Concert Artists and Concert Artists Guild, several of whom have won the commissioning of a new piano piece as part of their prize. Forum Executive Director Linda Hoeschler, Managing Director John Nuechterlain, and Senior Program Director Philip Blackburn – all in town for the Chamber Music America conference – put in an appearance at the salon, as did pianist and Forum board member Sara Wolfensohn. Blackburn was on hand to answer questions about the Innova Recording Assistance Program and the label's plans for expansion.

The chapter thanks composer Lisa DeSpain for hosting the event.

 

FAITH PARTNERS EXPANDS TO NEW YORK CITY

(DECEMBER 2001) The chapter has expanded Faith Partners to New York City. With funding from the Wolfensohn Family Foundation, the chapter established its first consortium, joining St. Bartholomew's (Episcopalian) Church, St. Ignatius-Loyola (Roman Catholic) Church, and Temple Emanu-El Synagogue in the creation of new sacred music. At press time, a composer-in-residence had not been selected for the residency, but applications from more than 45 composers were being reviewed.

Over the coming year, another two to three residencies will be launched in the five boroughs. The chapter has already identified a number of interested congregations, and is also exploring ways to foster deeper interactions among Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities and composers. In light of recent world events, Faith Partners' ability to build bridges across faiths and denominations through music takes on even greater significance and timeliness.

RENITA KALHORN ANNOUNCED AS NEW YORK CHAPTER DIRECTOR

(AUGUST 2001) The Forum is pleased to announce the appointment of Renita Kalhorn as the new director of the Forum's New York Chapter.

Renita has had a varied career in the worlds of music and business. After graduating from Juilliard with a bachelor's degree in piano, she went on to live in Rome, Tokyo and Paris, where she combined teaching and performing with work in bi-cultural communications and investor relations. In 1995, she earned a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD, the principal business school in Europe. In the past five years, she has held management, marketing and business development positions at several Internet and multimedia companies in New York. Renita is also an avid martial artist, and is preparing for her black belt test in tae kwon-do.

Renita brings to the Forum a passion for music and dedication to our mission of linking communities with composers and performers. I hope you will join me in welcoming Renita to our extraordinarily gifted group of chapter directors.

GATHER THE TROOPS
The Forum Holds Annual Meeting and Chapter Conference

(JULY 2001) From July 13-16, the Humanities Education Center in St. Paul played host to the Forum's yearly Chapter Conference. Chapter Directors and National Staff used the occasion to exchange programming ideas, address the challenges of the chapter system's rapid growth, and facilitate better communication between the 10 regional chapters and the national office.

On July 14, Forum members and members of the board of directors joined conference participants for the organization's Annual Meeting. Marking the new fiscal year, the gathering began with the final meeting of the Forum's 2001 board and concluded with the 2002 board's inaugural meeting. Plenty of time was also allowed for a celebration of the past year's successes, including presentations honoring those who made them possible.

 

AMERICAN MUSIC CENTER PLAYS HOST FOR JUNE SALON

(JUNE 2001) The chapter's June listening meeting was hosted by The American Music Center's Frank Oteri at the organization's Manhattan office. Music-theater composer Peter Dizozza kicked off the evening with a recorded excerpt from his new show. Lisa DeSpain followed with a recording of the first movement of her New Orleans Wind Symphony, commissioned by one of the Air Force bands. Departing Chapter Director Charles Griffin played a recording of his setting of Mark Strand's poem, "Lines for Winter," recently read by the Dale Warland Singers as part of their New Choral Music Commissioning Program.

The recordings were followed by a demonstration of Sibelius music notation software. Oteri played a MIDI rendition of his "Brinson's Race" for trumpet and string quartet, driven by the program, and Sibelius representative Robin Hodson led the group through a detailed demonstration of the software's notational and MIDI sequencing capabilities, using an overhead projector. (Free demonstrations can be set up by calling the company at (888) 474-2354.)

Following the demonstration, Xu Changsun continued the listening with his Swords for solo liuqin (similar to the Chinese pipa), followed by recordings of Frances Briggs's Alizarin Blues and Val Opielski's Caught Napping. Perry Townsend played Night Visions for string orchestra from his new CD on the Capstone label, and Rebekah Griffin capped off the meeting with a recording of her recent performance art piece, Written Upon Hearing of the Death of a Classmate.

The chapter would like to offer its gratitude to Robin Hodson, Frank Oteri, and The American Music Center for their hospitality!

 

SALON NOTES

(APRIL 2001) On April 21st, the Chapter hosted its monthly salon meeting at the home of (Continental Harmony composer) Lisa DeSpain. Lisa started off the listening with her Dreaming in the Land of the Blue Oz for big band. Salon regular Chris Montgomery played his Passacaglia for solo guitar, followed by works by Sonia Jacobsen, Joelle Wallach and John de Clef Piniero. Watercolour Management's Kate Baldwin presented recent changes that have taken place recently at MP3.com.

SONIC CIRCUITS VIII HELD AT ROULETTE

(APRIL 2001) On April 20th, the New York Chapter hosted Sonic Circuits VIII at Roulette in Manhattan. The event was standing room only and featured a wide array of electronic and electroacoustic works, including works for music boxes and effects processors, flute and digital delay, and a work that surrounded the audience with electric guitars (and guitarists). Half of the program was curated from ACF National's pre-existing pool of works already chosen for Sonic Circuits VIII; the other half of the program was curated from local composers.

 

"DAY OF PERCUSSION" WORKSHOP FEATURES ETHOS

(MARCH 2001) In lieu of its monthly salon meeting, on March 17th the New York Chapter hosted a demonstration workshop on writing for percussion featuring Ethos Percussion Group (Michael Sgorous, Yousif Seronick, Eric Phinney and Trey Files), as part of the New York City Day of Percussion, an annual event at Queens College. Ethos discussed and performed three works, demonstrating different instruments and performance techniques before each. The featured works (all commissioned by Ethos) were Glen Velez's Sol Tunnels, which uses speaking, motion, and frame-drumming; tabla master Samir Chaterjee's Rite Rhythm; and Charles Griffin's The Persistence of Past Chemistries, which is written exclusively for percussion instruments made of wood, including marimba, xylophone, slit drums and cajon. Other lecture demonstrations and a concert featuring Ethos and Talujon (another NYC-based percussion quartet) followed.

 

MP3 HOW-TO AT FEBRUARY SALON

(FEBRUARY 2001) On February 24th, the Chapter held its monthly meeting at the home of Brian Grundstrom. The first half of this meeting featured a presentation by Watercolour Management's Kate Baldwin on MP3 (a particular format for digital audio files) and MP3.com. Kate discussed what an MP3 is, what MP3.com is, what services they offer, technical requirements, and the registration process. The second half of the meeting was devoted to listening and networking. Our host began the listening with a MIDI recording of an orchestral work in progress; Chapter Director Charles Griffin played recorded excerpts from his collaboration with visual artist Karen Fitzgerald, Shifting Coastlines; John Link played his Lunar Fantasy on Brian's piano; John Cooligan played a recording of his Christmas Madrigal for chorus, Delivery; and Roger Blanc ended the day with a jazzy chamber work, Mood Swings. Many continued on to a delightful concert at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with free tickets provided by Brian. Many thanks to Brian for his generosity and hospitality.

 

JANUARY SALON HAS JAZZ FOCUS

(JANUARY 2001) On Jan. 20, the New York Chapter's monthly meeting was hosted by composer-member Mark Sutton. January's meeting differed from many in that its focus was jazz recordings and performance. The live performances began with Andrea Swan's Untitled, a work in a "contemporary classical" style performed by the composer on electric piano. Then, on muted trumpet, Sutton accompanied poet Stephanie Sellars' reading of her humorous "Ode to Heinz" (ketchup). The live performances concluded with an improv session consisting of Nate Aune (tenor sax), David Alfandari (soprano sax), and Mark Sutton (trumpet). The evening also featured recordings by members John de Clef Pineiro, John Le Sala, and Sutton.

 

PEHRSON HOSTS HOLIDAY SALON

(DECEMBER 2000) On Dec. 16, the chapter held its annual holiday party and listening meeting at the Manhattan apartment of Joe and Linda Pehrson. Over the course of the afternoon, nearly 40 people squeezed in to listen, eat, sing and chat. Joe Pehrson kicked off the listening with two MIDI pieces, "Unheard" and "Hexani," followed by a live solo performance of his "Harmonic Etude" by hornist Greg Evans. Music theater composer Peter Dizozza sang and accompanied himself at the piano through two light-hearted numbers from his recent musical, The Last Dodo. Attendees also did duty as a double chorus, singing through Kim Sherman's "Miners and Mariners," written for a recent staging of A Christmas Carol. Members Ben Yarmolinsky, Emilian Sichkin, Mark Sutton, Julia Lakhani, Pat Hardish, and Akmal Parwez all contributed to the festive atmosphere, performing their works. The evening also saw its share of networking, with choreographer Roberta Gurevitz and writer Frank Lee each looking for composers with whom to collaborate.

 

LISTENING SESSIONS FEATURE NEW WORKS

(OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2000) In October and November, the chapter continued its ongoing listening meetings. The gatherings allow members to share work, exchange ideas, and network.

The October meeting featured a MIDI realization of John de Clef Pineiro's upbeat Symphonia Minima, followed by a discussion of practical performance issues in orchestral music. The discussion was followed by live performances ranging from Keith Snyder and Michael Seidman's dramalogue A Prepared Statement and David Rodwin's drama-music work "Virtual" (from his larger work Challenger) to Jim Theobald's Variations on an Inappropriate Theme (a series of variations on "Home on the Range" for baroque flute). The evening finished with recordings of works by chapter members Ben Yarmolinsky, Jack Gottlieb, Susan Harding, and Lisa DeSpain.

The November meeting was held at the Brooklyn home of composer Marcel van Rootselaar, giving attendees the chance to view his new home studio. The studio included a "gigasampler," a sophisticated sampling program for the PC that uses hard drive space to allow for longer and more varied samples. Van Rootselaar also played excerpts from his recent sound design for the play Orphans. Recordings of works by members Manley Romero, Denise Broadhurst, and Valerie Opielski rounded out the evening. John de Clef Piniero closed out the meeting with a MIDI realization of the first movement of his Based on Bach, a cello concerto that uses a Bach cello suite as its starting point.