THE FORUM AND THE PACIFIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENT …

The First American Composer's Competition Finalists

American Composer's Competition finalists Ryan Francis, John Kaefer, and Mischa Zupko.

(Sounding Board, February 2003) From a pool of 198 submissions, three compositions were selected as finalists in the first American Composer's Competition, sponsored by the Forum and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra. Ryan Francis' "Straits of Anian," John Kaefer's "Mosaic," and Mischa Zupko's "Canter into Black" will be performed in concert by the PSO in Costa Mesa, Calif., on March 12, 13 and 15, 2003.

The chosen first prize work will be identified by votes from all listeners and performers present in the hall on March 12 and 13 and also a live regional audience on K-Mozart radio for the March 13 concert. Audiences will also be invited to offer written comments on the works. Winners will be announced at the March 15 performance, an interactive concert with audience participation and on-stage commentary by Music Director Carl St.Clair.

The winning composer will receive a $5,000 commission for a 10-minute work for full symphony orchestra (plus $2,000 for copy expenses). The two runners-up will each receive awards of $1,500.

A panel consisting of PSO Artistic Director Carl St. Clair, and composers Paul Chihara, Robert Moran, David Stock, and Frank Ticheli selected the three finalists.

For information on the performance, visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

For more information on this program, contact Senior Program Director Philip Blackburn at pblackburn@composersforum.org or (651) 251-2823.