New choral music is important, and its promotion and support equally so. A premiere is often the focus of a concert, and there are ensembles that specialize in premiering new choral works. But what happens to those pieces after the first performance? How do we find them to give them another voice?PROJECT : ENCORE™ is a service designed to bring together composers and conductors to give previously premiered works a second performance. In today's environment of increasing self-publishing, it can be difficult to find performers for works that have been premiered. Here is a bridge, a connection for composers who have a piece that was premiered and conductors who are looking for just such a piece–particularly those whose choirs might benefit from a piece's performance history, however brief.
The pieces in the PROJECT : ENCORE™ database are vetted by a panel of internationally recognized choral experts, though, for the sake of the process, this panel remains anonymous. Composers may submit one piece per quarter for blind review. The database is searchable by the usual means: title, composer, voicing, and language. The database is also searchable by difficulty level, (levels 1-4 are represented), theme and keyword search, nationality of composer, information regarding partial performance of multi-movement works, etc. Complete audio and partial score samples are available for each piece.
PROJECT : ENCORE™ does not charge for this service, nor is there payment to or from anyone via this site. Arrangements for performance are made between conductor and composer, with PROJECT : ENCORE™ serving exclusively as a vehicle of connection and evaluation. Deborah Simpkin King, Founder of PROJECT : ENCORE™ and its overseeing organization, Schola Cantorum on Hudson, writes:
Although we invite donations, Schola Cantorum on Hudson (SCH; a small 501c3) has completely shouldered this contribution to industry. It is something to which I, personally, as Artistic Director and Founder of SCH, am deeply committed; and I've been blessed with a Board of Directors that shares that commitment. I truly believe that our creative artists (musicians, poets, etc) are our 'modern-day prophets.' This is our contribution to a positive global cultural impact through music.
For conductors interested in performing a piece from PROJECT : ENCORE's database, composer contact information is listed with each piece. For more information regarding the process, or to express an interest in becoming one of PROJECT : ENCORE's pool of reviewing conductors, contact .
Deborah King says
Brad Hayashi says