Nurturing New Music | Performing New Music

The New York Composers Circle (NYCC) is an incorporated not-for-profit artistic and educational institution of composers and performers with a common aim and a wide range of talents and experience, focused on creating new music and performing it in well-recognized public concert venues. Many genres of serious music are represented, from chamber works to orchestral, jazz, art songs, scenes of new operas, dance, and mutlimedia works.

What Makes the New York Composers Circle Unique?

Inspired by a workshop at the American Music Center, composer Jacob E. Goodman founded the New York Composers Circle in the spring of 2002 as an association of composers meeting monthly to play their music for each other. It soon became apparent that we had the artistry and commitment to present our music before an audience. In May 2003, NYCC produced its first public concert at Saint Peter’s Church, featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Del Tredici, along with eleven of the NYCC's original members. This well-attended concert was favorably reviewed in The New Music Connoisseur. The NYCC continues to evolve by tapping the rich vein of talent and resources among its members.

The NYCC's membership has more than tripled since its inception, and similarly the number of its concerts has grown from two concerts each season to its current calendar of three concert presentations during the 2006-07 season. Now under the leadership of John de Clef Piñeiro, the group continues to expand its programs. Informal readings of new pieces allow member composers to "test fly" their works with some of New York's finest professional and student musicians, including NYCC's long-time partner, Alaria, a performing ensemble of longstanding accomplishment. Such events, along with the monthly music salons and collaborations with other groups and institutions, support the creation of new music through the various stages of its development. In the 2004-05 season, award-winning composer Ezra Laderman joined members of the NYCC in the final spring concert. In addition to its own two concerts, in March 2006 the NYCC presented its first joint concert effort with the performing ensemble ModernWorks, presenting a piece by John Eaton.

Mission

The New York Composers Circle is an artistic and educational organization of composers and performers, dedicated to new music, whose mission is to provide a platform and forum for composers of concert music of all genres, for the development and performance of their works, for the continued growth of the art, and for the development and education of new audiences for new music. As such, the NYCC offers its members various opportunities for testing works in progress, performing completed works in concert, and fostering collaboration and development, both artistic and professional.

Administration

The policies and expenditures of the NYCC are administered by a member-elected Executive Director, acting jointly in consultation with a Steering Committee of composer members to guide the management and growth of the organization and in setting its goals, priorities, and initiatives as a felt presence in the new music scene.

An Eye Toward the Future

The New York Composers Circle continues to grow. The NYCC is open to developing relationships with record companies to publish its members' works. The NYCC is also contemplating several future projects, such as: collaborating with artists in other media, developing opera scenes, establishing a residency for a composer/mentor, connecting with musicians in conservatories and universities, developing partnerships with music publishers, and continuing to expand opportunities for public performance of new works.