Welcome to New Works Project (NWP), where we are dedicated to increasing access to high-quality new music while prioritizing affordability, portability, and inclusivity. We believe in the transformative power of new music to enrich cultural experiences and foster artistic innovation. Through our consortium series, we aim to expand the repertoire available to performers and audiences alike, embracing diverse voices and perspectives. Here’s a look at the unique offerings of each consortium series: MiniWorks, Core, and Collaborative.
General Requirements for All Projects
Before exploring the specifics of each series, it’s important to understand the general requirements and guidelines that apply to all consortium projects within the New Works Project.
Collaborative Space: Each consortium, excluding MiniWorks, is provided with a dedicated group on our website, serving as a digital space for composers and participants to collaborate and celebrate the piece during and after the performance period.
Instrumentation: Our commissioned pieces range from flexible to specific instrumentation, accommodating soloists to small ensembles. We encourage artistic freedom within the following guidelines:
Portability: Instruments must be portable, with a maximum of two trips from the car to the stage. Instruments that require breakdown for transportation, such as vibraphones or drum sets, are not considered portable.
Cost Considerations: To minimize financial burdens, we avoid expensive and hard-to-find instruments. If participants need to build, find, or collect instruments, costs should be kept below $60.
Electronic Components: Electronic components are welcome in compositions, but the above cost considerations should be taken into account.
Review Period: All projects undergo a 4-week review period before final versions are delivered to participants, ensuring quality and alignment with project goals.
MiniWorks Series
Overview:
The MiniWorks Series is designed for short, impactful compositions. These pieces are perfect for students, teachers, and enthusiasts alike. These 1-2 minute solo & duos are published in a way that they can be performed by anyone. This is a great way to explore new techniques, and styles and get to know a wide number of voices from around our community.
Features:
Concise Format: Pieces are 1-2 minutes in length, making them ideal for recital encores, educational settings, and programs requiring brevity.
Broad Range of Styles: The series offers a variety of voices, allowing performers to explore different styles and techniques. Composers may chose from traditional notation, graphic notation, body percussion, found percussion, and spoken music.
Flexible Instrumentation: In order to make this as accessible as possible pieces written in standard notation are published with parts available in treble clef, alto clef and bass clef as well as in the keys of C, Bb, Eb, & F when necessary.
Quick Turnaround: The shorter length of these pieces means they can be learned and performed more quickly.
Diverse Repertoire: Participants can diversify their repertoire with high-quality, engaging new works.
Core Series
Overview:
The Core Series is the heart of our consortium offerings, featuring substantial solo and duo works for every instrument. These pieces are designed to challenge and inspire performers, providing a platform for musical growth and exploration. Composer options here include solo or duo (same family - i.e. Bb & bass clarinet, alto & tenor trombone, etc.) and can also include piano and/or a backtrack
Features:
Extended Length: Core Series pieces range from ten to twelve minutes, allowing for more complex musical ideas and developments.
Push Limits: Composers are encouraged to explore extended and new techniques, provided they can demonstrate or help us create instructions for these techniques.
Meet New Composers: This series heavily focuses on works by composers from underrepresented communities, offering fresh perspectives and voices in the contemporary music scene.
In-Depth Exploration: The extended format of Core Series pieces provides performers with the opportunity to delve deeply into the music, exploring its nuances and challenges.
Collaborative Experience: Participants have access to a group on our website where they can communicate with each other and the composer to provide feedback, ask questions, and ultimately celebrate in the creation of more music!
Collaborative Series
Overview:
The Collaborative Series is all about bringing people together. This series features works with 3-8 players and be up to 20 minutes in length. The collaborative series is not just about our performers collaborating but also an opportunity for us to collaborate and create with ensembles, and organizations around the country.
Features:
Chamber Works: Collaborative Series pieces are 20 minutes in length and range from 3-8 players.
Innovative Collaborations: These works often are in collaboration with other organizations both in and out of the arts.
Customizable Participation: Participants can choose their level of involvement with Individual and ensemble participation.
Community Building: The Collaborative Series encourages networking and relationship-building among participants, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.
Mission and Vision Integration
Our consortium series are built on on the values of affordability, portability, and inclusivity:
Affordability: We ensure that commission opportunities are accessible to a wide range of composers and performers. By offering fair compensation structures and promoting multiple performances of commissioned works, we help integrate these pieces into the standard repertoire.
Portability: Emphasizing the practicality of performance logistics, we encourage compositions that consider ease of transportation and setup. This approach supports our goal of enabling performances in diverse venues and settings, reaching broader audiences beyond traditional concert halls.
Inclusivity: By welcoming a variety of musical styles and instrumentation possibilities, we foster an inclusive environment where composers can explore creative expression freely. We actively seek to amplify underrepresented voices and support projects that promote cultural diversity within the classical music community.
Impact and Legacy
By incentivizing multiple performances within the first years of a work’s life and beyond, we not only support composers financially but also aim to establish their compositions as valuable additions to the contemporary music landscape. Our collaborative approach with performers and ensembles ensures that commissioned works receive the attention and dedication needed to thrive and resonate with audiences.
We’re excited to work with you in advancing our shared mission of enriching musical culture through innovative compositions and inclusive performances. Together, we can contribute to a vibrant and dynamic future for new music. Welcome to the community!
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