The American Symphony Orchestra League and Meet The Composer have announced that American composer Joseph Schwantner has been selected as the composer for the second cycle of the nation's largest commissioning consortium of orchestras.  The commission is part of the enormously successful and multi-dimensional Ford Made in America program, which has given orchestras with small budgets representing all 50 United States an opportunity they would not have on their own-the tools to engage their communities with the work of established American composers of international repute. Schwantner was chosen by a steering committee comprised of representatives of small-budget American orchestras.

The Joseph Schwantner commission is made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company.  Mr. Schwantner's new work, which is also supported by a generous grant from The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, will receive its world premiere with the Reno Chamber Orchestra in September 2008, and the work will then be performed in communities throughout the nation.

Joseph Schwantner remarked, "I am delighted to be selected as the commissioned composer for round two of this illustrious program. As one who participated in Meet The Composer's original Orchestral Residency Program with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra back in the early 1980s, I have experienced first hand the power of composers and orchestras working together to connect new music with audiences.  Since much of the music I have written over the last twenty-five years is for full orchestra, I particularly look forward to the opportunity this commission will give me to more fully consider and engage the musical possibilities of smaller orchestral forces.  I remain committed to writing for the orchestra and continue to be enthralled by and seductively drawn to the sonic world it inhabits."

Meet The Composer President Heather Hitchens remarked, "The orchestras in the Ford Made in America consortium have made an inspiring commitment, building on the multi-faceted talents of great composers who are also great musical citizens (first Joan Tower, and now Joseph Schwantner), to engage their communities with the music of their time and the people in their midst who create it."

League President and CEO Henry Fogel remarked, "This program has been of great benefit to the initial 65 participating orchestras and to the communities they serve. The ability of a community of orchestras to join together in the performance of new music is a testament to the power of collaboration around a common cause, and also points out the remarkable level of musicianship that can be found in the most unexpected places."

More about Joseph Schwantner: www.schott-music.com

More about the American Symphony Orchestra League

Meet The Composer

Ford Motor Company Fund

ASOL News Release (PDF file) Joseph Schwantner Chosen as Second Ford Made in America Composer.

Ford Made in America

Youtube: Ford Made in America

Google Maps: Ford Made in Amberica Orchestral consortium locations and performance dates

Schwantner's FMIA Blog