I have to say, I’m certainly feeling inspired by last weekend’s Chorus America conference in DC. I’ve always loved Chorus America’s particular interest in new music and bringing together conductors and composers in the choral community, and it was great meeting many of you at the conference face to face.
I know this is a big programming time of year for conductors, and we are here to help make it a much easier process. If you’re still looking for some great pieces to round out your next season let us know. Shoot me an email directly at fahad@seeadot.com and tell me a bit about your choir and any themes you have planned for the coming year, I’ll help you find the perfect piece for your concert.
Best,
Fahad Siadat
Director, See-A-Dot Music Publishing
Upcoming events
Make Music New York, June 21st teardrop park south @ noon – As part of the city wide Make Music New York festival, we are sponsoring a choral music reading session featuring pieces by living composers in New York. Scores are available to download on our site HERE, all you need to do is print them out, show up, and sing! The reading session will be lead by See-A-Dot Music Publishing director Fahad Siadat with the help of C4: the Choral Composer/Conductor Collective and a string quartet to help reinforce notes. Feature composers include Tarik O’Regan, Michael Dellaira, Jonathan David, and others. Bring your choirs and sing with us!
Featured composer and piece
Andrea Clearfield is a Philadelphia based composer increasingly well known for her large orchestral and symphonic choral works. She’s won many awards for her compositions and is regularly commissioned by choirs around the country. She has travelled extensively and spent many months in the Himalayan regions of Tibet, which inspired one of her greatest works (and this month’s feature piece) the cantata Tse Go La, at the threshold of this life.
There are currently two movements from the cantata available, Shar Ki Ri and the title movement Tse Go La. Both are uniquely set in Tibetan and currently available for treble chorus with piano accompaniment. These two movements make great companion pieces, one fast and rhythmic, the other lyrical with a beautiful layer of melodies. Keep your eye out as we plan to release the entire cantata by the end of the year, which is for chamber orchestra and mixed chorus; it is the perfect piece for symphonic chorales interested in a contemporary masterwork.
A beginner’s guide to commissioning new work
Kristina Boerger has commissioned literally dozens of works for various types of chorus. Her approach to new music is a unique strategy of local engagement that has worked well for her choirs from community groups to collegiate organizations. In this month’s guest article, Kristina shares some of her strategies for “outside the box” commissioning that is a great way to begin involving your local talent, even when on a shoe string budget.
