We are thrilled to announce that we are commissioning two new works from two incredibly talented composers: 29-year-old Dallas-based composer and conductor Quinn Mason, and the Brazilian-born, Chicago-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Clarice Assad. Both composers are highly in demand among top-tier orchestras in the US and abroad with their music being commissioned by the LA Phil, Philadelphia Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony, and Utah Symphony, along with hundreds of others across the globe. These new works will premiere with the Utah Youth Symphony this June at the League of American Orchestras conference in Salt Lake City, UT and we are currently seeking additional co-commissioners to join in.
If you are interested in joining one or both co-commissioning groups, please complete this short survey so that we can keep track of interest in this project. We highly encourage you to fill it out as soon as possible, or no later than April 18, 2025!
Quinn Mason’s Electric Beauty promises to be a vibrant and engaging addition to any concert program. This 7-minute overture-style piece, crafted for a standard-size youth orchestra, is designed to come together effortlessly in just a few rehearsals. Its structure ensures that students will love preparing it, conductors will enjoy guiding its progress, and audiences will be captivated by its lively energy.
With an exciting, festive character, the piece also features a slightly lyrical middle section that maintains an uplifting tempo. Focused on creating rich textures, the work highlights the collaborative power of the orchestra, with less emphasis on solos and more on the cohesion of sections. Perfect for either opening or closing a concert, this work is ideal for mid to high-level youth orchestras, as well as community, civic, and professional ensembles.
Buy-In:
If 10 orchestras are onboard in addition to the lead orchestra (Utah Youth Symphony), the cost per orchestra will be $2,500 each.
If more orchestras join the consortium, that number will continue to go down, potentially getting down to $700 per orchestra.
Quinn can come conduct his piece and also work with the youth orchestra players and/or kids in the community. His fee for this is normally $6,000 but for this project, he is agreeing to make it feasible to bring him in for $4,000.
The first movement of Quinn Mason’s most popular piece A Joyous Trilogy played by members of the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra. A work that is the very embodiment of happiness and cheerfulness, it also earned Quinn the first prize winner of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York’s 2020-2021 Emerging Composers Competition: Orchestral – Division II.
Quinn Mason (b. 1996) is an acclaimed composer and conductor whose works have been performed by over 170 orchestras worldwide. He has served as artist-in-residence for several major orchestras including the Hartford and Detroit Symphony Orchestras. As a conductor, he made his debut with the National Symphony Orchestra and became the Houston Ballet Orchestra’s youngest ever guest conductor. Mason has received numerous awards and was named a Dallas Morning News “Texan of the Year” finalist in 2020.
Clarice Assad‘s RETRO-SCOPE is a captivating 7-minute journey that pushes the boundaries of sound, seamlessly blending the timeless richness of orchestral music with the innovative power of electronic sound. This groundbreaking work explores the dynamic relationship between acoustic and digital realms, inviting both performers and listeners into a thrilling sonic experience.
With the soloist expertly navigating the wave ring, vocoder, and Roli keyboard, this piece creates an immersive landscape where electronic textures weave in and out of the orchestra’s traditional symphonic palette. The music evolves through distinct phases—starting with separation, moving into an engaging dialogue, and culminating in a bold, transformative fusion of sound that challenges the very essence of musical expression.
Buy-In:
If 10 orchestras are onboard in addition to the lead orchestra (Utah Youth Symphony), the cost per orchestra will be $2,500 each.
If more orchestras join the consortium, that number will continue to go down, potentially getting down to $700 per orchestra.
Fees for the soloist involved in Clarice Assad’s piece would be:
This piece involves exciting applications of technology that give the work a new dimension and allow the youth orchestra members to experience working with electronic instruments. One of these instruments is the TC-Helicon Voice Live Touch. Here is more detail about this “instrument”.
Grammy-nominated Clarice Assad is a Brazilian-American composer, pianist, vocalist, and educator known for her versatility across classical, world music, pop, and jazz. Her innovative compositions often address social issues and incorporate audience participation. Currently Composer-Educator in Residence with multiple orchestras, Assad has created over 90 works commissioned by prestigious organizations including Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia Orchestra, and LA Philharmonic.