March 8: Write it Now Commissions!

Announcing Five New Commissions

Luke Blackburn, Corey Chang, Binna Kim, Sid Richardson and Nicholas Tran selected for Write it Now, Boston Musica Viva’s commissioning initiative in response to COVID-19

Learn more about our commissioned composers at writeitnow.org

BOSTON — As the arts sector—like so much of the world today—continues to suffer from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, Boston Musica Viva is proud to announce one way we can make a difference during this challenging time. Thanks to the support of generous BMV donors, we have selected five composers for commissions as part of our new initiative, Write it Now.

Luke Blackburn, Corey Chang, Binna Kim, Sid Richardson and Nicholas Tran were selected from nearly 50 composers from across New England who applied because of hardships suffered as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Each composer has been granted a $5,000 commission to write a new chamber ensemble work for a future professional premiere.

“Even though we can’t return to the concert hall yet,” said BMV Executive Director Robert Pape, “we wanted to continue fulfilling our mission of supporting new music and the composers who write it. When our sector can welcome audiences back safely, we will be ready with a slate of music that embodies this unprecedented time in our lives.”

Boston Musica Viva launched Write it Now late last year, and welcomed composers to apply for a commission based on their abilities, and how they had been impacted by the pandemic. The chosen composers will each write a 12- to 18-minute new work for BMV’s core ensemble instrumentation of flute, clarinet, piano, percussion, violin and cello. In addition to their fee, Boston Musica Viva is spreading the benefit of this project around with additional funding to help other ensembles bring these world premieres to life on stage in the future.

Applicants supplied Write it Now with samples of their previous compositional work, as well as a statement about how COVID-19 has changed their lives ranging from lost commissions and performance opportunities to the general job and income insecurity issues that have troubled so many people. Many composers also noted how isolation, anxiety and time for reflection have changed their perspectives on music. Their materials were independently reviewed by a panel of judges: BMV core ensemble members Gabriela Diaz and Robert Schulz, and composers TJ Anderson, Richard Cornell and Dalit Warshaw. Boston Musica Viva and the selected composers will work together in coming months to determine when and where their works will be premiered, following the guidance of public health officials.