Tag: awards

New Music USA Announces Nine New Additions to the Impact Fund Cohort

Posted on June 14, 2017 by - Headlines

New Music USA has announced nine organizations selected to join the NYC New Music Impact Fund. The Impact Fund cohort consists of 33 New York City-based ensembles, presenters, and venues tackling challenges facing the city’s new music community today, creating a vibrant public identity for the sector, building connections and collaborations, and finding innovative solutions to the need for increased performance and rehearsal space.

NEW COHORT MEMBERS

The new cohort members were selected by the following panelists:

  • Courteney Casey, Senior Director of Artistic Planning National Sawdust; Managing Director VisionIntoArt
  • Charles Jarden, General Director American Opera Projects
  • Gina Izzo, flutist, Co-Founder RighteousGIRLS, Manager Public Programs Chamber Music America
  • Mari Kimura, violinist, composer
  • Nathalie Joachim, flutist, composer, Flutronix, Eighth Blackbird
  • Robert Reddy, composer, saxophonist

The Impact Fund represents the first major effort to aggregate and amplify the voice of the New York new music community online. The fund launched in 2016 through a $495,000 grant from The Scherman Foundation’s Axel and Katherine Rosin Fund. Now in its second year, the program distributes general operating and residency grants to smaller new music ensembles, venues, and presenters (many of which are artist-led) and uses New Music USA’s web platform to create a home for the community and market their work in new and creative ways. Sign up to have a listing of the cohort’s upcoming events sent to your inbox each week and stay in the know about what they are up to.

THE FULL COHORT

And the 89th Academy Award Composer Nominees Are…

Posted on January 24, 2017 by - Headlines, Ledes

The nominees for the 89th Academy Awards have been announced, including nods in the category of best original score to composers Mica Levi, Justin Hurwitz, Nicholas Britell, Thomas Newman, and the team of Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka.

In December 2016 it was noted that scores such as Jóhann Jóhannsson’s notable contribution to Arrival would not be eligible.

Winners will be awarded during a ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, February 26, 2017.

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)

JACKIE
Mica Levi
LA LA LAND
Justin Hurwitz
LION
Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka
MOONLIGHT
Nicholas Britell
PASSENGERS
Thomas Newman

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)

AUDITION (THE FOOLS WHO DREAM)
from La La Land; Music by Justin Hurwitz; Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
CAN’T STOP THE FEELING
from Trolls; Music and Lyric by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin and Karl Johan Schuster
CITY OF STARS
from La La Land; Music by Justin Hurwitz; Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
THE EMPTY CHAIR
from Jim: The James Foley Story; Music and Lyric by J. Ralph and Sting
HOW FAR I’LL GO
from Moana; Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda

SOUND EDITING

ARRIVAL
Sylvain Bellemare
DEEPWATER HORIZON
Wylie Stateman and Renée Tondelli
HACKSAW RIDGE
Robert Mackenzie and Andy Wright
LA LA LAND
Ai-Ling Lee and Mildred Iatrou Morgan
SULLY
Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman

SOUND MIXING

ARRIVAL
Bernard Gariépy Strobl and Claude La Haye
HACKSAW RIDGE
Kevin O’Connell, Andy Wright, Robert Mackenzie and Peter Grace
LA LA LAND
Andy Nelson, Ai-Ling Lee and Steve A. Morrow
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
David Parker, Christopher Scarabosio and Stuart Wilson
13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI
Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush and Mac Ruth

Julia Wolfe Named 2016 MacArthur Fellow

Posted on September 22, 2016 by - Headlines, Ledes

Julia Wolfe is among the 23 recipients of 2016 MacArthur Fellowships. She was recognized for the creation of music that “combines influences from folk, classical, and rock genres in works that are grounded in historical and legendary narratives. Often described as post-minimalist, Wolfe demonstrates an openness to sonic possibilities, with choral elements and instruments such as the mountain dulcimer, bagpipes, and body percussion often augmenting string and orchestral arrangements.”

The Bang on a Can co-founder and co­–artistic director is noted for the integration of music, movement, and visual elements in her work. Currently associate professor of music composition at the Steinhardt School at New York University, Wolfe won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for her piece Anthracite Fields, which explored the complex history of the coal mining industry.

The MacArthur Fellowship is a “no strings attached” award that comes with a stipend of $625,000 to the recipient, paid out in equal quarterly installments over five years. More information about the 2016 MacArthur fellows and the awarding process is available on the MacArthur Foundation website.

Philip Glass Among 2015 National Medal of Arts Recipients

Posted on September 15, 2016 by - Headlines, Ledes

President Barack Obama will present the 2015 National Medals of Arts to 12 honorees, including Philip Glass, in an East Room ceremony at the White House on Thursday, September 22, 2016.

Recipients will be acknowledged in conjunction with the National Humanities Medal honorees. First Lady Michelle Obama will attend. The event will be live streamed at www.whitehouse.gov/live.

The citations about the 2015 National Medal of Arts recipients will be read by the president at the awards ceremony. Philip Glass will be commended for his “groundbreaking contributions to music and composition. One of the most prolific, inventive, and influential artists of our time, he has expanded musical possibility with his operas, symphonies, film scores, and wide-ranging collaborations.”

Other citations noting musical contributions include those for Mel Brooks, Berry Gordy, Santiago Jiménez, Jr., and Audra McDonald. Full details on the NEA’s website.

NYFA and EtM Announce Fellowships and Residencies to NY Composers

Posted on July 12, 2016 by - Headlines, Ledes

The New York Foundation for the Arts has announced the recipients and finalists of its Artists’ Fellowship Program. The organization has awarded unrestricted cash grants of $7,000 to artists working in 15 disciplines, totalling $647,000 to 98 artists (including five collaborations) throughout New York State. Finalists, who do not receive a cash award, benefit from a range of other NYFA services.

A list of the fellows and finalists in the area of music/sound includes:

MUSIC / SOUND

Gordon Beeferman (New York)
Lisa Bielawa (New York)
Anthony G. Coleman (New York)
Joe Diebes (New York)
Du Yun (New York)
Jeffrey Fairbanks (Queens)
Randy Gibson (Kings)
Stephanie Griffin (New York)
Warp Trio – Joshua Henderson/Mikael Darmanie/Ju Young Lee (New York)
Sarah Hennies (Tompkins)
Molly Herron (New York)
Eli Keszler (Kings)
M. Lamar (Kings)
Qasim Ali Naqvi (Kings)
Angélica Negrón (New York)
Sam Newsome (New York)
Jeff Talman (Bronx)
Max Vernon (Kings)

Finalists

Andrew Drury (Kings)
Anthony Gatto (New York)
Scott Wollschleger (Kings)

Music / Sound Panelists

Laura Andel (Kings)
Christina Campanella (New York)
Daniel Davis (Broome)
Satoshi Kanazawa (Queens)

*Above image clockwise from top left: Du Yun, Lisa Bielawa, Randy Gibson, Molly Herron, Gordon Beeferman, and Angélica Negrón.

(More information available via the New York Foundation for the Arts)

con ed residencies

Clockwise from top left: Tidtaya Sinutoke, Kathleen Tagg, Doug Balliett, Volker Goetze, and Lea Bertucci.

Exploring the Metropolis, Inc. has announced their 2016-17 Con Edison Composers-in-Residence awardees. Five New York-based composers, covering a wide range of styles, have each been selected for a six-month residency in one of EtM’s partnering cultural or community facilities in addition to a $2,500 stipend. The list of recipients and their host facility includes:

Doug Balliett
Residency: Bloomingdale School of Music

Lea Bertucci
Residency: Queens Museum

Volker Goetze
Residency: Turtle Bay Music School

Tidtaya Sinutoke
Residency: Flushing Town Hall

Kathleen Tagg
Residency: Brooklyn Youth Chorus

Panelists were: Eve Beglarian, Domenica Fossati, Mary Kouyoumdjian, and Kamala Sankaram.

(More information available via Exploring the Metropolis)

2016 Pew Arts Grants Announced

Posted on June 14, 2016 by - Headlines, Ledes

Pew 2016 Grants

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage has announced their 2016 grants in support of the Philadelphia region’s cultural organizations and artists. Fifty three grants totaling more than $10 million will provide funding for twelve new Pew Fellowships for individual artists working in a variety of disciplines; thirty six Project grants for the presentation of exceptional cultural programs offered to a wide range of audiences; and five Advancement grants to support bold organizational initiatives led by exemplary arts and culture organizations.

Grants awarded to those working in the area of new American music include:

2016 Pew Fellows

Andrea Clearfield
Christopher Colucci
Matthew Levy
Jymie Merritt

2016 Pew Project Grants

That Which Is Fundamental
BOWERBIRD
$71,000

The Anchoress
DAVID LUDWIG
$60,000

Composing the Tinnitus Suites: 2016
DANIEL FISHKIN
$60,000

Philadelphia Real Book Concerts – New Music in Jazz and Blues
JAZZ BRIDGE
$60,000

Breath Beneath
PRISM QUARTET
$60,000

Symphony for a Broken Orchestra
TEMPLE CONTEMPORARY
$300,000

2016 Pew Advancement Grant

OPERA PHILADELPHIA
$1,000,000

(–From the press release. Read the full announcement here.)

2016 Doris Duke Artist Awards Announced

Posted on May 3, 2016 by - Headlines, Ledes

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has named the recipients of the fifth annual Doris Duke Artist Awards.

In recognition of their creative vitality and ongoing contributions to the fields of dance, jazz and theater, awardees will each receive $275,000 in flexible, multi-year funding as well as financial and legal counseling, professional development activities, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities provided by Creative Capital, DDCF’s primary partner in the awards.

In the area of jazz, the awardees are:

Dave Douglas
Fred Hersch
Wayne Horvitz
Jason Moran
Matana Roberts
Jen Shyu
Wadada Leo Smith
Henry Threadgill

With the 2016 class, DDCF will have awarded approximately $27.7 million to 101 artists
through the Doris Duke Artist Awards.

Many of these artists have been profiled on NewMusicBox and/or received support through grants from New Music USA.

FRED HERSCH: JUST HEAR WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

MATANA ROBERTS: CREATIVE DEFIANCE

JEN SHYU: NO MORE SEQUINED DRESSES

WADADA LEO SMITH: DECODING ANKHRASMATION

HENRY THREADGILL: NO COMPROMISE

Songs by David Lang and J. Ralph Denied Oscar Performance

Posted on February 22, 2016 by - Headlines, Ledes

David Lang and J. Ralph
David Lang and J. Ralph

J. Ralph and David Lang (Lang photo by Peter Serling)

Updated Friday, February 26 at 10:15 AM

If you plan to tune in to the Oscar telecast on February 28, you will only hear three of the five nominees in the “Best Original Song” category performed during the broadcast. Contributions penned by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lang as well as two-time Academy Award nominee J. Ralph (with lyrics by ANOHNI) will not be included in the lineup, Variety has reported:

The Oscar-nominated songs “Manta Ray,” from the documentary “Racing Extinction,” and “Simple Song #3,” from Paolo Sorrentino’s “Youth,” will not be performed on the 88th Academy Awards, Variety has learned. The reason, according to a source: “time constraints.”

During a year in which the Oscars have received strong criticism for their lack of diversity, this seems an especially odd move–not only in terms of the music itself, but also when considering that it means the absence of Korean soprano Sumi Jo and transgender performer ANOHNI.

The music and lyrics for “Simple Song #3” were composed by David Lang. This is his first nomination. “Manta Ray” features music by J. Ralph and lyrics by ANOHNI (formerly Antony Hegarty). This is the first nomination for ANOHNI and the second for J. Ralph. He was previously nominated for Chasing Ice (2012).

Performers and composers representing all five of the nominated songs did gather earlier this year for a photo shoot and lunch. A podcast was also taped and can be heard here.

 

 

Update: ANOHNI has announced  that she will boycott this year’s Academy Awards.

 

MacArthur’s Creative and Effective Institutions and Bielecki Foundation Awards Announced

Posted on February 18, 2016 by - Headlines, Ledes

MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions
MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions

The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic and eighth blackbird among those to receive MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions

Fourteen Chicago arts organizations have been named as recipients of the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, which recognizes “exceptional nonprofit organizations that are engaged in the foundation’s core fields of work and helps ensure their long-term sustainability.” The award, presented annually since 2006 to organizations around the world that demonstrate exceptional creativity and effectiveness, provides each organization with $200,000 to $1 million, depending on the size of its budget.

In the area of music, the 2016 recipients are:

This year’s recipients are drawn exclusively from Chicago’s arts and culture community in order to strengthen the city’s vibrant cultural life and underscore the foundation’s commitment to its hometown.

The foundation does not seek or accept nominations for these awards.

Learn more about these and other MacArthur projects.

*

Ingrid Laubrock and Pauline Oliveros

Ingrid Laubrock and Pauline Oliveros

The Robert D. Bielecki Foundation has presented Pauline Oliveros with a grant of $10,000 towards the completion of “Deep Listening — The Story of Pauline Oliveros” and a $3,000 grant to Ingrid Laubrock in support of her Fall 2016 Intakt Records release.

The Bielecki Foundation seeks to enrich fine art culture while expanding opportunities for individual artist development and audience cultivation. They provide funding to emerging, under-recognized, and deserving artists and organizations across the United States and internationally. There is no application process.

Learn more about Oliveros, Laubrock, and their funded projects.

New Music USA Awards $276,770 to 53 Projects

Posted on February 1, 2016 by - Headlines

New Music USA has announced its fifth round of project grants awards, totaling $276,770 in funding to support artistic work involving a wide range of new American music. The 53 awarded projects include concerts and recordings, as well as dance, theater, opera, and more—all involving contemporary music as an essential element. Awarded projects from all five rounds can be discovered, explored, and followed by the public via media-rich project pages.

New Music USA President and CEO Ed Harsh commented, “We continue to be amazed and humbled by the incredible array of great projects brought to us by artists around the USA. We’re committed to doing everything we can to increase the amount of money we’re able to distribute in support of this groundswell of meaningful work.”

To date, an additional $33,000 over our program’s original budget was made available through the actions of New Music Connect: The Network for Friends of New Music. This additional investment adds support to projects qualified for funding as part of our grant program’s panel process. New Music Connect is designed to connect and engage individuals from across the United States to advocate for and empower the new music field.

In response to feedback from artists who were surveyed following the two inaugural rounds of the program, the fifth round continued to include a special focus on requests of $3,000 and below. Approximately 47% of grants awarded were in this category. The next round of project grants will open for requests in March 2016, and decisions will be announced before July 2016. Including the awards announced today, New Music USA’s project grants program, launched in October 2013, has now distributed $1,482,340 in support of 283 projects.

More information about New Music USA’s project grants is available on New Music USA’s website.

(–from the press release)