The Crossing wins second ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming

The Crossing wins second ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming

 

Chorus America announced today that The Crossing, Philadelphia’s acclaimed professional choir specializing in new music, has won its second ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming.  The prize, which comes with a cash award, is presented annually to an ensemble demonstrating a commitment to fostering and promoting new music and recognizes the variety and creativity of the new music programmed during the most recently completed season.  The award will be presented June 10 in San Francisco at Chorus America’s national conference.

 

Announcing the award, Ann Meier Baker, President & CEO of Chorus America, stated: “The Crossing has quickly established a stellar reputation for performances of music by living composers, including the daring ‘Month of Moderns.’ Their artistic excellence and creative programming were among the reasons they were selected to perform at the Chorus America Conference in 2009, and I am delighted that the selection panel has chosen to honor them with their second ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming.”

 

Donald Nally, conductor of The Crossing, speaking for the ensemble, noted, “We are very grateful for this national recognition from ASCAP and Chorus America, an award that is not just an acknowledgement of the commitment of our singers to the highest standards, but also to our Philadelphia audience and their dedication, courage, and undying support for our art.”

 

The ASCAP award review panel pays special attention to commissions in their review of ensemble’s programming of the previous season.  During the 2009-2010 season The Crossing presented world premieres by Paul Fowler, David Lang, Lansing McLoskey, David Shapiro, and recorded a CD (released this March) of new works on words of Paul Celan and Philip Levine.

 

The announcement comes just weeks before The Crossing’s 2011 Month of Moderns featuring the commissioning project Seneca Sounds: four new works on words of Seneca the Younger by internationally acclaimed composers Gabriel Jackson (UK), ?riks Ešenvalds (Latvia), Kamran Ince (Turkey/US), and Philadelphian Kile Smith.  Concerts are on June 5, 18, and 26 at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill.  Tickets are available at www.crossingchoir.com

 

The Crossing won its first ASCAP Award in 2009.

 

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