THE AUTHENTIC VOICE
Commissioning Program
In 2018, Fear No Music’s Young Composers Project partnered with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony (MYS) in launching The Authentic Voice commissioning program to “teach young musicians to use their artistry to empower others and create joy in the world” (Raúl Gómez, MYS Music Director). The partnership gives young composers an opportunity to write for and hear their work performed by full symphony orchestra, while giving ensemble musicians a chance to play never performed music by their peers. Following a tremendously successful initial year, the program has expanded to include the following annual offerings:
Three symphonic commissions of new works by local, student composers, developed through Fear No Music’s Young Composers Project
World Premieres of each of these works performed by the MYS Symphony Orchestra at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Further opportunities for readings and performances of works by younger composers with other MYS ensembles, including the Concert Orchestra, Vivaldi Strings, Symphonic Band, and MYSticks Percussion Ensemble
Additional collaborative projects, such as film scoring for full orchestra
Photo above: composer Max Ball conducting the Metropolitan Youth Symphony in the World Premiere of his Authentic Voice commission, Fugue for Orchestra, in March, 2019 at The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony. Photo credit: Richard Kolbell
By way of the unprecedented opportunity that MYS’s ‘Authentic Voice’ program provides, Portland is becoming a leader in the development of the next generation of composers. This series reminds us that music is a living, breathing art being created all the time by those that live and work among us. To hear the works of these incredible talents is to understand how audiences felt when they first heard pieces by the youthful Mozart and Mahler. The leadership and vision of MYS’s Music Director Raúl Gómez and Executive Director Diana Scoggins cannot be praised enough.”
— Jeff Payne, founder of the Young Composers Project
Participating Composers 2019-20
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WORLD PREMIERE: Postponed due to Covid-19
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Seereise
WORLD PREMIERE: Mar. 8, 2020
“She is able to really paint a picture very effectively of what her title says, a sea voyage,” MYS Music Director Raúl Gómez said. “The colors that she uses in the orchestration of the piece are very effective also. The dramatic moments that she creates — she’s a very, very gifted young composer.” Read more in The Bend Bulletin.
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Hidden Voices
WORLD PREMIERE: Nov. 10, 2019
Matthew’s lyrical and impassioned yet reflective piece Hidden Voices draws inspiration from the emotions surrounding massive statewide budget cuts in education, which were predicted to cut jobs for roughly a third of the teachers at Matthew’s high school. Soft around the edges, this new work represents the often silenced voices of teachers who lack power in the face of government, especially when jobless. An unresolved ending points to the possibility of hope but also to the fact that this issue is ongoing, reoccurring and often without resolution.
Participating Composers 2018-19
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Letter to Florence Price
WORLD PREMIERE: May 21, 2019
Palka’s Letter to Florence Price honors this incredible female artist while lending a modern voice to the continuing musical story of our nation. Filled with shimmering orchestral timbres, this lyrical work incorporates Palka’s musical interests that lie outside the classical tradition, reflecting the artistic values of Price herself who often reached beyond the classical canon as inspiration for her own work.
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Fugue for Orchestra
WORLD PREMIERE: Mar. 3, 2019
Fugue for Orchestra adheres to fugal principals but incorporates a variety of elements from baroque and classical style in addition to those of contemporary classical music, jazz, and other genres. The talent of young composer Max Ball reveals itself in his exceptional ability to absorb the techniques and designs of compositional masters, and then create music that references those styles but is also uniquely his own.
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Tone Poem No. 1: Orpheus and Eurydice
WORLD PREMIERE: Nov. 11, 2018
Scored for a large orchestra which includes harp and celeste, Tone Poem No. 1: Orpheus and Eurydice lives up to its title with sweeping gestures and contrasting intimate moments which depict the ancient Orpheus and Eurydice legend in the manner of the great romantic tone poems. A skilled and passionate percussionist, composer and conductor, Jake Safirstein attended Grant High School for three years before transferring to the Interlochen Arts Academy boarding school in Michigan. He now studies composition at The Juilliard School.
Hear for yourself!
Katie Palka with MYS Music Director Raúl Gómez, discussing the World Premiere of her new symphonic piece on KATU’s Afternoon Live. Click for the video!
MYS performs Seereise by Grace Miedziak
MYS performs Hidden Voices by Matthew Kaminski
MYS performs Tone Poem, No. 1 by Jake Safirstein
What People Are Saying
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“It was my dream to compose for orchestra, and it was like my dream came true… And I feel like it’s really helping me down my path of pursuing my dream job of being a composer, and it’s helped me discover my passion even more. It’s helped me be like, Wow, this is really what I want to do.”
— Grace Miedziak, quoted in The Bend Bulletin
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“When it comes to commissioning and developing a vital ecosystem of local composers in the classical tradition, it’s hard to beat Fear No Music.”
— Oregon ArtsWatch
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“The Young Composers Program… provides unparalleled training and performance opportunities for promising composers.
In a brand new collaboration between this program and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, select students now have the opportunity for their music to be performed by full orchestra, as part of The Authentic Voice… "It was a fantastic opportunity," (Max) Ball said of working with the professional musicians.”— Lake Oswego Review / West Linn Tidings
The Authentic Voice program is made possible with generous support from Ronni Lacroute.