Whitaker New Music Reading Session Participants Announced

The American Composers Orchestra recently announced the winners of the ninth annual Whitaker New Music Reading Sessions. Chosen from among 150 submissions, this year's winners are Rafael Hernandez III for his piece Man Expanding, John Kline for Anytime Soon, Jason Freeman for Diffusions, James Matheson for Gliss, Matthew Lima for A Golden Momentary Blur, Brian Robison for Imagined Corners, and Juan Cuellar for Tatambo. The readings provide an opportunity for up-and-coming composers to experience a full orchestral rendering of their work, receive the reactions of other composers and performers, and obtain a professional quality tape to assist in their advancement.

One of the participating composers will receive the ACO's Whitaker Commission, which carries with it a $15,000 award and a Carnegie Hall premiere. The 1999 recipient was Hsueh-Yung Shen, for his piece "Changing Hues and Cries." Other past recipients include Melinda Wagner, the 1999 recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, and Derek Bermel, who received a 1999 Guggenheim Fellowship.

This year's proceedings will be under the direction of Music Director Dennis Russell Davies, Resident Conductor Paul Lustig Dunkel, and Artistic Advisor Robert Beaser. Participating composers meet with Davies and Dunkel before the Reading to discuss their composition, and afterward in a group session that includes selected players from the orchestra. Senior advisors, the judges who initially reviewed all the submissions, will be on hand to serve as mentors throughout the proceedings.

The 2000 Whitaker New Music Reading Sessions will take place Monday, April 3, 2000 at the Masonic Hall, 71 West 23rd Street, New York City.