Taos Chamber Music Group puts out call for 30th Anniversary Commissions
AFTER A SUCCESSFUL first round of commissioning new music compositions during the pandemic, the Taos Chamber Music Group is putting out a call for new works to be performed during its upcoming 30th Anniversary Season in 2022-23.
During 2020-21, TCMG commissioned three pieces that were written by composers from the East Coast to Mexico. For this second round, TCMG is looking for composers closer to home and welcomes anyone from Taos County, including Taos and Picuris Pueblos, to submit.
TCMG is interested in duo, trio and/ or quartet combinations that are written for (but are not limited to) flute, violin, cello and/or piano. There can also be a multi-disciplinary component, such as visual art, dance, poetry or film. Students are encouraged to apply. There will be some assistance available from TCMG musicians for the submissions chosen. Compensation will depend on the length of the piece, number of instruments/artists involved and the composer’s experience.
Deeply rooted in both the natural and cultural landscape of Taos during its past 29 years, TCMG is looking for music that is inspired by the spaciousness of our skies, sacredness of our land, and the cultures here that pay homage to both.
The winning compositions will be presented as part of TCMG’s 30th Anniversary Concert Series. TCMG’s previous world premiere commissions were performed at the Taos Center for the Arts and included “Dark Path to a
Luminous Garden” for horn, bassoon and electronics by Mexican composer Javier Alvarez, “What would the Either be?” for violin with electronically transformed violin sounds and video by Eve Beglarian, based on an Emily Dickinson poem, and “Imaginary Companions” for flute and imaginary string orchestra (a backing track of sampled cello) by Pascal Le Boeuf. All emerged out of the composers’ responses to the pandemic.
Interested applicants should send a letter of inquiry with a project proposal and brief description of their musical background to nancy@taoschambermusicgroup.org. TCMG is very open to all ideas and looks forward to brainstorming and partnering with potential composers.
TCMG’s current 29th season has included programs at the TCA in September and December with classical music performed by world-class musicians. On April 30, TCMG will present the eclectic and dynamic cello and guitar duo “Boyd Meets Girl,” who will be playing music ranging from Beyoncé and the Beatles to Debussy. On June 2 and 3, the American String Quartet will return for two programs, originally scheduled in October that had to be cancelled because of COVID. For more about TCMG, visit taoschambermusicgroup.org.