New Music for New York
In our 2004-2005 season, we initiated what has become an annual tradition of commissioning and premiering new works by New York-based
composers. We began this project in accordance with our mission - to foster and celebrate New York choral music culture.
Our project is designed to promote a range of high-caliber compositions each year, while also developing longer term relationships with composers and enabling the choir itself to participate in the entire process. The project works like this: First, we commission (in the February) three short works from area composers that we perform in June. Then the choir votes on which composer of the three it would like to re-commission for a longer work to be performed the next June. Once this is done, the choir participates in the process by which the chosen composer develops that longer piece.
Our first two years were a tremendous success. We commissioned works by talented composers, and the works they produced were well-received by our membership and our audience alike. Featured in our 2005 concert at Columbia University were A.J. McCaffrey's "Meeting the British," George Andoniadis's "Birds," and Nico Muhly's "I Cannot Attain Unto It." The choir selected Mr. Andoniadis to commission a second, longer work for our June 2006 concert. In 2006, we premiered Mr. Andoniadis's setting of a St. Vincent Millay poem, "God's World," for the MCE and soprano Kiera Duffy. Also featured were Joelle Wallach's "The Cloths of Heaven," Mary Ann Joyce-Walters's "In Anguish and Hope: A Psalm for Today," and Patrick Castillo's "A Piece of Coffee." The choir selected Mr. Castillo for the longer commission for the following year.
Our project is designed to promote a range of high-caliber compositions each year, while also developing longer term relationships with composers and enabling the choir itself to participate in the entire process. The project works like this: First, we commission (in the February) three short works from area composers that we perform in June. Then the choir votes on which composer of the three it would like to re-commission for a longer work to be performed the next June. Once this is done, the choir participates in the process by which the chosen composer develops that longer piece.
Our first two years were a tremendous success. We commissioned works by talented composers, and the works they produced were well-received by our membership and our audience alike. Featured in our 2005 concert at Columbia University were A.J. McCaffrey's "Meeting the British," George Andoniadis's "Birds," and Nico Muhly's "I Cannot Attain Unto It." The choir selected Mr. Andoniadis to commission a second, longer work for our June 2006 concert. In 2006, we premiered Mr. Andoniadis's setting of a St. Vincent Millay poem, "God's World," for the MCE and soprano Kiera Duffy. Also featured were Joelle Wallach's "The Cloths of Heaven," Mary Ann Joyce-Walters's "In Anguish and Hope: A Psalm for Today," and Patrick Castillo's "A Piece of Coffee." The choir selected Mr. Castillo for the longer commission for the following year.
 George AndoniadisGod's World (mp3) |
 Joelle WallachThe Cloths of Heaven (mp3) |
 Mary Ann Joyce-WalterIn Anguish and Hope: A Psalm for Today (mp3) |
 Patrick CastilloA Piece of Coffee (mp3) |
| George Andoniadis Birds (mp3) |
 A.J. McCaffreyMeeting the British (mp3) |
 Nico MuhlyI Cannot Attain Unto It (mp3) |