Concert

ASCAP composer Ron Jones (Family Guy, American Dad) hosts a regular study session of classical masterworks. ASCAP songwriter Jeff Silbar stopped by the most recent one, an exploration of Stravinsksy's The Rite of Spring.

The Young Musicians Foundation recently invited ASCAP composers Richard Kaufman, Joey Newman and Michael Tilson Thomas to guest conduct the YMF's Debut Orchestra at its 57th Anniversary Gala Concert.

The Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress and the Koussevitzky Music Foundation, Inc. have awarded commissions for new musical works to several composers. Award winners include: John Aylward, Anthony Cheung, Jason Eckardt, Agustin Fernandez (PRS), Jennifer Higdon, Harold Meltzer and Benoit Mernier (SABAM).

Koshinski's winning work, Concerto for Marimba and Choir, was selected from among 230 entries. Honorable Mentions were also awarded to Ted Hearne for Partition; Matthew Peterson for Hyperborea; and Jonathan Sokol for Gradient : Waves.

The Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP) proudly welcomed its 2011-13 Music Alive Composer-in-Residence Andrew Norman. During the two-year residency, BMOP will be commissioning a large symphonic work by Norman scheduled to premiere in 2013 in addition to recording some of his pieces.

ASCAP member James Matheson has won the Charles Ives Living award, a prize organized by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and will receive $200,000 over the two-year period beginning in July 2012. The announcement was made by fellow ASCAP member J.D. McClatchy, president of the Academy.

Finnish composer and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen (TEOSTO) won the 2012 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition for his piece "Violin Concerto." Salonen, conductor and artistic advisor for the Philharmonia Orchestra of London, was music director for the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 17 years.

The Classical Recording Foundation recently named their Composer of the Year Awards for 2011, bestowing the honor on Robert Paterson and Arlene Sierra. The 10th Annual CRF Awards Concert and Benefit on November 21st at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall serves to fund and manage the effort by the Foundation to promote classical music.

Melinda Wagner's self-titled album is a spectacular showcase of a stunning modern composer's exploration of melody, narrative and sonic contrasts. Her compositions constantly change, building on what comes before and leaving listeners with feelings that range from quiet reflections to awe and wonder.

ASCAP composer Clint Needham has been selected as the winner of the 2011 International Barlow Prize. Along with this distinction comes a $12,000 consortium commission