residencies

OVERVIEW

In an effort to reach out to young composers and students, the League of Composers/ISCM launched its residency program in 2009. The League residency program begins with a reading/workshop of student works by members of the Orchestra of the League of Composers. Then the players select one of the student pieces to include in a concert the following evening, which is presented on campus.

UPCOMING

In April 2010, Members of the Orchestra of the League of Composers will be in residence at Cleveland State University, culminating in a program of new student works, Hector Villa-Lobos’ Choros for violin and cello, new works by David Glaser and Stephen Dembski, and Joan Tower’s Petroushskates.

HISTORY

The League’s first residency took place in March, 2009 at West Chester University. Pianist Christopher Oldfather and cellist Chris Finckel of the League/ISCM Chamber Players were in residence at West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s School of Music on March 24-25, 2009, part of a month-long New Music Celebration on campus. Three undergraduate composers’ works were selected by the faculty for reading and recording by the Chamber Players on the 24th. Oldfather also gave an impromptu masterclass for students in a graduate piano pedagogy class that evening, coaching their interpretations of short, model works by contemporary British composers. On the 25th, the duo performed an impressive program of West Chester Faculty and student works in alternation with classics of the 20th century, including works by Mario Davidovsky, Paul Hindemith, and Anton Webern. Senior composition student Sean Arawjo’s Sonatina for Piano and Cello was premiered by the duo, and works by faculty members Larry Nelson and Mark Rimple rounded out the program. Chris Finckel’s electrifying, memorized performance of Davidovsky’s Synchronism no. 3 and the bellicose energy of the Sonata Op. 11 No. 3 by Hindemith brought the long tradition of modernism to campus in a visceral and immediate fashion, and their dedication and sensitivity of interpretation was clear in their performance of living composers’ works.

If you would like to apply for a League residency at your school, please email residencies@leagueofcomposers.org for information.