A side effect of George Edwards’s sense of rectitude was his exaggerated abhorrence of self-promotion. Partly for this reason, his music has not reached a large public. The other reason is that the music is inherently complex and private. An oddity of his life and work is that his music scarcely ever manifests the manic humor and semi-suppressed aggression that were such integral features of his personality. Music was his refuge, his inner sanctum of order, beauty, and refined expression.

Composer and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Violin Concerto has won the 2012 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition. This year’s award is $100,000.

The Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI) has announced that Eric Guinivan and Elliot T. Cless are the winners of the 2011 SCI/ASCAP National Student Commissions. In addition to a paid commission (first prize is $1250, second prize is $750), the winners receive a premiere performance of their commissioned work at the SCI National Conference and a recording of the work in the SCI CD series (released by Navona).

This is the second year of the Composers Assistance Program – Recording. We’re very pleased to announce New Music USA’s support for fifteen exemplary recording projects. Download the Press Release for the full details, and …

Subito Music Corporation has announced that it has entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with composer/conductor Leanna Primiani.

The board of directors of the Fromm Music Foundation at Harvard University has announced the twelve composers selected to receive 2010 Fromm commissions. In addition to the commissioning fee of $10,000, a subsidy is available for the ensemble performing the premiere of the commissioned work.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is offering free digital downloads on its website of works by Jonathan Bailey Holland, Charles Coleman, and three other composers.

On November 8, 2011, the merger of the American Music Center and Meet The Composer into New Music USA was officially completed, marking the end of a nearly year-long process. The new organization will operate in two broad program areas—grantmaking and media—reaching composers, performers, and listeners in all 50 states and projecting a more visible and audible profile for new American music all over the world.

Musical America has announced the winners of the annual Musical America Awards, which recognize “artistic excellence and achievement in the arts.” Meredith Monk has been named “Composer of the Year.” Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han have been awarded the “Musicians of the Year” award, the first time the honor has been shared.

Schott Music Corporation and European American Music Distributors, LLC have announced the launch of Project Schott New York (PSNY), a digital music publishing platform which aims to facilitate the discovery, purchase, and discussion of new music online. Thus far over 70 works by a total of 35 composers are featured on the site.