Commissioning Project
It’s very important to us to keep our art form relevant and vibrant, and what better way to do that than commission local composers to write new music. They are living right here, so naturally everything they do is a part of what’s happening in St. Louis right now.
2022-2023 Season 15 Commissions
Stephanie Berg
The Tomorrow Garden
String quartet
Premiered at the Saint Louis Art Museum on AMERICAN GIRL, June 2, 2023
Blake Hernton
Concert Black Suite
Sting quartet, flute, clarinet and piano
Premiered at the 560 Music Center on GROOVE, November 18, 2022
2021-2022 Season 14 Commission
Syrhea Conaway
Breakthrough
String quintet, bass guitar, keyboard and electronics
Premiered at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis on SILVER LININGS, which brought together all four of Conaway’s commissions into one piece for the first time.
Recording coming soon.
2020-2021 Season 13 Commissions
Syrhea Conaway
Silver Linings and Beauty Beneath Remix
String quintet, electric bass, guitar and electronics
Premiered as a virtual program in conjunction with the St. Louis County Library January 2021.
2019-2020 Season 12 Commissions
David Werfelmann
Vitreous Forms
Violin, cello, flute, clarinet and piano
Premiered September 7, 2019 at the 560 Music Center on WINDOW
Live from the World Premiere. Kyle Lombard, violin; Eli Lara, cello; Jennifer Gartley, flute; Dana Hotle, clarinet; Matthew Mazzoni piano.
“This Isn’t Your Grandparents Chamber Music” David Werfelmann and Executive Director Dana Hotle on In Tune Radio Show: KWRH 92.9FM discussing a wide range of topics.
Learn more about David and explore many recordings of his music.
Syrhea Conaway
Beauty Beneath
Two violins, viola, cello and bass
Premiere on November 22, 2019 at the Contemporary Art Museum on BEAUTY
LJ White
I don’t wanna dance
Clarinet oboe, bassoon and horn
Premiere on February 9, 2020 at The Schlafly Tap Room on RECESS
2018-2019 Season 11 Commissions
Andrew Stock
tour
For three musicians
Premiered Oct. 14, 2018 at The Schlafly Tap Room on MILLENNIAL
Darwin Aquino
Redescubrimiento: A Dominican in St. Louis
Flute, bassoon, violin, viola, cello and bass
Premiered Nov. 16, 2018 at The 560 Music Center on REDISCOVERY
Stephanie Berg
Who We Are
For string quartet and piano
Premiered March 9, 2020 at the Missouri History Museum on #TIMESUP
Katherine Bodor
somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond
For mezzo soprano, baritone, flute, violin, cello and piano
Premiered April 13, 2020 at The 560 Music Center on BELOVED
2017-2018 Season 10 Commissions
Adam Mannes
The Devil and the Law
For baritone, string quartet and flute
Premiered September 8, 2017 at the Missouri History Museum on FAITH, second performance on June 2, 2018 at The Chapel Venue on CHOICE
Presented in partnership with the Missouri Historical Society as part of the #1 in Civil Rights, the African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis exhibit. This piece set the words of Frederick Douglass and Chief Justice Taney in a moving piece about the Dred Scott case.
Zachary Cairns
Passing Through
For alto saxophone and string trio
Premiered October 13, 2017 at The Chapel Venue on BLUEPRINT
Katherine Bodor
Absent an Adjustment
For soprano, clarinet, violin and piano
Premiered April 20, 2018 at the 560 Music Center on ECO
2016-2017 Season 9 Commissions
Adam Mannes
The Delmar Wall
For clarinet, violin, viola and cello
Premiered on Oct 7, 2016 at Crave Coffee House.
Performed
Oct 11, 2016 at The Vino Gallery
June 3, 2017 at the Chapel Venue
September 8, 2017 at the Missouri History Museum
Stephanie Berg
Nocturne
For violin, viola, bass, clarinet, horn and percussion
Premiered April 2017 at the Schlafly Tap Room
2015-2016 Season 8 Commission - the first year
Christopher Stark
Chamber Etudes for winds and piano
Premiered November 21, 2015 at the 560 Music Center