This November 12, the University of Central Florida, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Young Composers Challenge [NYCC] will join forces to present the 2017 Composium at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
The top three orchestral and top three ensemble compositions chosen by judges – and written by young musicians ages 13 to 18 – will be performed and recorded by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and musicians from the UCF faculty at the Composium.
Founded in 2005, the NYCC is a non-profit charitable organization whose goal is to promote the creation of new orchestral music and the next generation of American composers. The purpose of the Composium is to involve and educate the public in the process of new music creation in order to build greater understanding and support for symphony orchestras and orchestral music. The Composium is part concert, part rehearsal, part recording session, and part seminar. At the event, winning compositions are sight-read, rehearsed, discussed, and recorded in front of a live audience.
“The level of sophistication of these orchestral works is mind-blowing,” said Steve Goldman, Executive Director of the NYCC. “This is an amazing afternoon of excitement, unscripted drama, and music. It will be a rare chance for Central Floridians to witness incredible orchestra works by America’s top young composers, discussed, rehearsed and conducted by Maestro Christopher Wilkins and performed for the first time by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Once you have attended a Composium, you will never listen to an orchestra performance in quite the same way again.”
This is the second year the University of Central Florida has been a sponsor of the event. Jeff Moore, Dean of the UCF College of Arts and Humanities, says this event is good for the young composers, but also the Orlando community. “The NYCC provides young composers access to professional musicians and UCF is committed to providing access for people to pursue their passions,” says Moore. “The longtime partnership between UCF, the Orlando Philharmonic, and now the NYCC demonstrates Central Florida’s commitment to the past, present, and future of classical music.”
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra has partnered with the NYCC for several years. “The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is proud to partner with UCF and the National Young Composers Challenge to present the 2017 Composium,” says Executive Director Christopher Barton. “This opportunity to support the development of our next generation of composers is both exciting for our audiences and essential to the future of music.”
The 2017 Composium, sponsored by UCF and NYCC, is presented free of charge to the public, and will be held on Sunday, Nov. 12 in the Walt Disney Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Dress is casual and the entire family is welcome. More information is available at http://www.youngcomposerschallenge.org.
The National Young Composers Challenge is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization supported by grants and in-kind donations from the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Full Sail University, Timucua Arts Foundation, and the Goldman Charitable Foundation. http://www.youngcomposerschallenge.org
The UCF College of Arts and Humanities seeks to enhance and develop programs of excellence in both the arts and humanities that are recognized for their academic quality, creative output and economic impact in our community. The college comprises three schools, five departments, and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program and provides more than 120 degree programs and areas of study for UCF students. Additionally, the college is home to seven interdisciplinary areas of study and eight centers, institutes, and offices. www.cah.ucf.edu
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is led by Music Director Eric Jacobsen and comprised of accomplished musicians from around the world. The Philharmonic annually presents the FAIRWINDS Classics, Pops, Sounds of Summer, Focus and Women in Song series. Known for its artistic excellence and community collaboration, the Philharmonic presents more than 150 live concerts and impacts more than 70,000 children, youth and families annually. Learn more at OrlandoPhil.org.