The inaugural New Haven Composers Spotlight is dedicated to advancing artistic visions and stories specific to New Haven through the commissioning of three works by diverse and emerging local composers. The Spotlight debuted at NXTHVN on April 20th, thanks to founding support from the Mellon Foundation and the Arts Council of Greater New Haven. While centering the Dixwell community in our vision, the program debut highlighted the interactions between a large performance ensemble that bridges musical backgrounds, institutions, and communities in New Haven, and the visions of these three unique composers. The debut was featured in an article by the New Haven Independent.
Images courtesy of the New Haven Independent
Images courtesy of the New Haven Independent
https://d1zrh1jysedyjz.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvanAtY29udGVudCIsImtleSI6IkltYWdlcy9zaXRlTkhJLzIwMjQvMDQvQnJpYW5TbGF0dGVyeS9jaGV0cmljay5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJqcGVnIjp7InF1YWxpdHkiOjc1LCJwcm9ncmVzc2l2ZSI6dHJ1ZSwidHJlbGxpc1F1YW50aXNhdGlvbiI6dHJ1ZSwib3ZlcnNob290RGVyaW5naW5nIjp0cnVlLCJvcHRpbWl6ZVNjYW5zIjp0cnVlfSwicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjoxOTg0LCJoZWlnaHQiOjEzMjIsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn0sInNoYXJwZW4iOnRydWV9fQ==
We are currently working on a second installment, focusing on small group performances, to premier in October 2024.
<aside> <img src="/icons/arrow-right-basic_orange.svg" alt="/icons/arrow-right-basic_orange.svg" width="40px" /> Throughout January 2024, musicians and composers participated in an Open Call for participants in the New Haven Composers Spotlight
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<aside> <img src="/icons/arrow-right-basic_orange.svg" alt="/icons/arrow-right-basic_orange.svg" width="40px" /> In Early February, a committee of several composers and musicians selected a cohort, evaluating applicants by factors including connection to New Haven, audition tapes, project proposals, and diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
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<aside> <img src="/icons/arrow-right-basic_orange.svg" alt="/icons/arrow-right-basic_orange.svg" width="40px" /> Throughout March and April, composers and musicians met to rehearse each of the three novel pieces for the showcase, which garnered 90+ attendees.
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As a whole, the New Haven Composers Spotlight is a celebration of artistic talent, diversity, visions, stories, and experiences unique to New Haven, as reflected through our composers. We are honored to have the support of the Mellon Foundation and the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, and are working to foster additional partnerships going forward.
We welcome additional partnership for the Spotlight. If you require additional info or comment about this event or our mission (incl. press passes, etc) please reach out to us via email. We are committed to highlighting the supporters and partners that are helping to extend the reach and outcomes of our program in 2024, and will be sure to include such groups in our upcoming literature and event programs.
120 Minutes
Starting with brief introductions, the Spotlight featured three 20-minute compositions, each followed by brief composer feedback. This was followed by an extended audience talkback session.