Support is given to the New York based ensemble, to Ensemble Ipse to premiere James Sellars's 2001 quartet, Elms, for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano on their concert series on May 30, 2020 at the Tenri Cultural Institute in New York City. The work will then be recorded.
The Robert Black Foundation will provide the prize money for the biennial David Walter Composition Competition sponsored by the International Society of Bassists. There are 4 categories in the competition 1) solo double bass, 2) Chamber Music with Bass, 3) Bass Ensemble, 4) Bass with Electronic Media. The winning compositions will receive performances at the 2021 ISB Convention in Lincoln, NE.
For more information about the Competition, click here.
In support of the New Music on the Point's mission of fostering composers and performers of contemporary music, the Robert Black Foundation is pleased to participate in the NMOP 5-for-5 fund-raising campaign, providing automatic support to the Festival through 2024.
The Robert Black Foundation Bass Scholarship is awarded annually to one double bassist to attend the 3-week Bang On A Can Summer Institute at MASS MoCA, North Adams, Massachusetts.
Bang On A Can processes applications and selects the awardee. Apply here.
The Robert Black Foundation is an official ‘Sponsor’ of Bang On A Can’s annual “Loud Weekend” at MASS MoCA - an eclectic supermix of over 30 concerts in 3 days,
A three-year grant is being award to the Network for New Music's Linda Reichert Commissioning Fund to support its' mission of commissioning music from emerging and established composers.
Daniel Sabzghabaei is being commissioned to write a site-specific work for double bass and the sacred high-desert environment around Moab, Utah. The work will be premiered at the 2020 Moab Music Festival.
In celebration of the incredible New Music on the Point Alum community and the 10th Anniversary of the Festival, the new music will keep coming this summer with a special opportunity!
The Robert Black Foundation is commissioning 10 short solo pieces by alumni performer-composer teams. Teams will be selected from the past 10 years of the festival. The compositions and performances will be featured on a virtual concert program on June 13, 2020 - 4:00 PM.
The purpose of the New Music Solidarity Fund, an artist-initiated fund, is to provide emergency resources to artists impacted by COVID-19. The goal is to ultimately support 1,000 individual artists.
“The future of our whole community depends on generosity, support and, compassion for those who are the most impacted by this global challenge,” says Vanessa Reed, President and CEO of New Music USA. “It’s an honor to manage this fund in collaboration with visionary composers and musicians who share this belief – with the support of longstanding foundational supporters, alongside the hundreds of music practitioners who have kindly donated to this cause.”
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The Megève Festival Savoy Truffle in Megève, France will present 2 works of James Sellars during their August 14-30, 2020 Festival. His orchestra piece, Afterwards, will be performed by the Orchestra Symphonique de Karlsbad, conducted by Robert David Coleman on Saturday, August 29, 2020. On the same concert, pianist Saleem About Ashkar will perform James Sellars' Three Nocturnes for solo piano.
European Premiere:
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Violinist Gary Capozziello started a Covid-19 relief fund to aid Hartford, Connecticut area musicians who were hard hit by the corona virus pandemic.. This fund is partnered with the Greater Hartford Arts Council. The Robert Black Foundation is pleased to support this cause.
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The 145 year old Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia is commissioning a work from composer Melissa Dunphy based on author/activist/advocate Feminista Jones' poem 'A Slice of Pie.' Dr. Dunphy conceptualizes a blues-inflected setting that will feature the double bass, trumpet, and drumkit. The work will receive a virtual premiere in the Spring of 2021.
The virtual premiere:
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