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Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester and Artistic Director Michael Culloton are pleased to announce that the winner of the 2011 Choral Arts Ensemble Commissiong Contest is Dr. John Orfe, a faculty member at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Orfe is the composer-in-residence for the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and is also a member of a contemporary music ensemble called Alarm Will Sound. The composition that he submitted for consideration in this year's contest was O Crux for choir and solo trombone. The commissioned piece will be premiered by Choral Arts Ensemble during their 2012-2013 season.
"The score shows a high level of understanding of the voice, which is key for a composer of choral music. Also, he shows constant attention to the text, which is also necessary for a successful choral work. I'm looking very forward to working with him as he starts writing a new score for CAE to premiere next season, " stated Michael Culloton.
The four other finalists were Leonard Enns (Ontario, Canada), Carleton Macy (St. Paul, MN), Mattia Culmone (Besenello, Italy), and Ivo Antognini (Switzerland). This is the fourth annual Commissioning Contest. Previous winners and their commissions are Kentaro Sato (2008), Misericordias Domini, premiered October 2009; Timothy C. Takach (2009), A Worshipper and a Man. premiered March 2011; and Brian C. Holmes (2010), new work to be premiered May, 2012.
The Choral Arts Ensemble Commissioning Contest is only one avenue through which the organization supports the creation of new music. CAE regularly commissions and premieres two to three new works per season. For a complete list of the ensemble's commissions and premieres, go to http://www.choralartsensemble.org/group/commissions.html.
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