Call for New Works from Composers Expands Statewide

For Immediate Release
Aug. 23, 2012

PSO EXPANDS ANNUAL CALL FOR NEW WORKS BY COMPOSERS STATEWIDE

Deadline for score submission is Monday, Nov. 12; Leonard Slatkin will lead PSO in session of chosen works

PITTSBURGH –  The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) this year is expanding its annual call statewide for new works by composers in the early stages of their careers.

Since the 2004-2005 season, the PSO has offered an annual reading of works by young composers from area universities as part of its Composer of the Year program.

In its ninth year, the PSO’s annual reading program expands its call for submissions to Pennsylvania residents and anyone attending a college or university in the state. All applicants must be composers in the early stages of their professional careers and residing in Pennsylvania at the time of the submission. Only one work per composer will be considered. Previous participants may not reapply.

Leonard Slatkin

In the 2012-2013 season, the session will be led for the first time by PSO Principal Guest Conductor Leonard Slatkin.

Submissions will be evaluated by PSO Composer of the Year Mason Bates in consultation with Mentor Composer Patrick Burke, and Slatkin will lead the PSO in the session from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 23, at Heinz Hall. The session is free and open to the general public. Following the session, composers will receive feedback from a panel, including Bates, Slatkin, Burke, and PSO musicians.

Up to four works will be selected for the reading session, where at least one of the spots will be reserved for a student from the universities that have traditionally participated in the program. These include Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University and West Virginia University.

The submission deadline for the 9th Annual Reading Session is Monday, Nov. 12, 2012. This is not a postmark deadline; materials must be received by this date to be considered. Selected works will be announced Dec. 5.

For complete eligibility details and submission guidelines, visit www.pittsburghsymphony.org/readingsession or call 412.392.4828.

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Contact: James Barthen, Vice President of Public Affairs
Phone: 412.392.4835 | email: jbarthen@pittsburghsymphony.org

Contact: Ramesh Santanam, Director of Media Relations
Phone: 412.392.4827 | email: rsantanam@pittsburghsymphony.org

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