YOUNG COMPOSERS PROJECT WINS OREGON SYMPHONY’S 2024 SCHNITZER WONDER AWARD AND $10,000 PRIZE
PORTLAND, ORE., MARCH 19, 2024
Oregon Symphony President and CEO Isaac Thompson announced that the 2024 Schnitzer Wonder Award recipient is the Young Composers Project (YCP) of Fear No Music (FNM). The award, which comes with a $10,000 cash prize, will be formally presented at the Oregon Symphony’s free Celebration Concert for the community on Saturday, April 13, 2024
“It’s an honor to recognize YCP with this award for their dedication to innovation in classical music with the next generation of composers,” says Thompson. “Together, we're not just creating music, we're fostering creativity, collaboration, and a lifelong love for the arts."
Welcome To Fear No Music: We Shape the Future of Classical Music
Fear No Music (FNM) is a dynamic 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is all about inspiring the next generation of youth composers, celebrating the rich tapestry of diversity in music, and presenting captivating concerts that push the boundaries of classical music. Our mission is to empower and nurture young composers within our community, providing them with groundbreaking mentorship opportunities that fuel their creative journeys. In addition, we are deeply committed to showcasing the diverse voices of composers, both local and global, in our concerts. Join us at FNM as we harmonize the power of youth inspiration, musical diversity, and extraordinary live performances.
“socially responsive, homegrown contemporary music”
- Oregon ArtsWatch
Our History
Fear No Music has a rich history that underscores its commitment to the promotion of modern and contemporary classical music. Founded in 1992 in Portland, Oregon, Fear No Music has since become a prominent and influential force in the classical music community.
Key Milestones:
Founding Year (1992): Fear No Music was established with the vision of creating a platform for the exploration and performance of modern classical music. From its inception, the organization aimed to challenge traditional norms and bring innovative compositions to the forefront.
Early Growth and Impact: In its formative years, Fear No Music quickly gained recognition for its dedication to showcasing the works of contemporary composers. The organization's commitment to diversity and inclusivity in its programming became a hallmark of its identity.
Young Composers Project: One of Fear No Music's most significant achievements has been the introduction of the Young Composers Project, which began nurturing and mentoring young composers in the early 2000s. This visionary initiative has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of classical music by fostering emerging talent.
Continued Innovation: Over the years, Fear No Music has consistently pushed boundaries, presenting groundbreaking concerts, collaborating with renowned artists, and expanding its outreach to engage with a broader audience. The organization remains at the forefront of the classical music scene, both locally and nationally.
Today, Fear No Music stands as a testament to the enduring power of classical music to evolve, adapt, and inspire. With a storied history spanning several decades, the organization continues to shape the future of classical music, fostering the growth of young composers and celebrating the vibrant tapestry of contemporary compositions. Its journey is a testament to the transformative potential of music and the enduring commitment to innovation.
The future of contemporary classical music is bright when filled with youth and diversity
Our Impact & Programs
Fear No Music's commitment to its mission led to its attainment of nonprofit 501(c)3 status, enabling it to amplify its impact and further its goals of promoting diversity, tolerance, and community through music. Fear No Music offers a diverse range of programs aimed at promoting the appreciation and evolution of classical music. These programs include:
Annual Concert Series: Fear No Music hosts engaging concerts featuring contemporary and modern classical music from both local and global composers. These performances showcase the organization's commitment to celebrating musical diversity.
Outreach Events: Fear No Music actively engages with the community through various outreach events. These initiatives serve to connect classical music with a broader audience, fostering an appreciation for this genre among diverse populations.
Young Composers Project: At the heart of their mission is the Young Composers Project, a groundbreaking initiative that mentors and empowers young composers in the community. Through this program, Fear No Music is nurturing the next generation of composers and contributing to the ongoing innovation in classical music.
Fear No Music's multifaceted programs not only enrich the classical music landscape but also inspire and shape the future of this genre by fostering inclusivity, diversity, and creative exploration.
Are you looking for your cultural outlet?
Do you crave stimulating, relevant, and engaging concert experiences?
Join Fear No Music for our annual concert series to experience inspiration and connection through the powerful medium of new music. Fear No Music’s welcoming and sonically satisfying programs, performed by Portland’s finest classical musicians, modernize and re-contextualize the traditional concert experience.
What Audience Members are Saying
“Thank you so much for an incredible concert last night! The program was brave, your approach to trauma was thoughtful and reassuring, and the decision to foreground women's voices was absolutely right... I'm grateful to have been in the audience!"
— Wynn Kiyama, Executive Director, Portland Taiko
“My husband and I were speechless and moved by the music. It was wonderful."
— Barb Randall, Arts Journalist, Lake Oswego Review
“Excellent performances by all the musicians. Thank you for this courageous, socially engaged program... The women's forum was a valuable component of the overall experience and allowed me to process what I had experienced while listening to the music."
— Ronni Lacroute, arts patron
What the Press is Saying
“Fear No Music is a civic treasure. It cultivates audiences, artists, and composers through outreach and education programs. It keeps the classical tradition alive, performing select works from the contemporary classical canon while spending most of their energy on the next generation of composers.”
— Oregon ArtsWatch
“More than ever, Portland composers and audiences really do fear no music …”
— The Oregonian
