FOSTERING NEW AMERICAN CHORAL MUSIC
Central to SFCA’s mission is to create new works for chamber choir and to support the work of composers at all career levels. We have premiered over 300 works and won the Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming in both 2012 and 2015, prizes that recognize our eclectic programming and world-class performances.
The Roger Nixon Living Music Initiative is a key partner in supporting these SFCA’s diverse composer-oriented initiatives:
Composer-in-Residence Program
This program supports and increases the visibility of the many talented and prolific composers of the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 1999 we have commissioned a local composer each season to write a work for each of our three concert sets. In 2022-23, the Composer-in-Residence role was filled by three current or recent students of the SF Conservatory.
Composer-Not-in-Residence Program
In order to bring new compositional voices to our audiences, we launched the Composer-Not-in-Residence (CNiR) program in 2009. This extends our reach around the world, increasing the diversity of the music we’re able to share and perform. Past CNiRs have included Stephen Leek (Australia), Sylke Zimpel (Germany) and Balázs Kecskés D. (Hungary).
New Voices Project
Initiated in 2005, the New Voices Project (NVP) is SFCA’s annual competition for composers under 30 designed to encourage young composers to write for chamber choir. Winning composers receive a cash prize, practical feedback from Artistic Director Magen Solomon, and a professional recording of their work.
Wild Card Program
This periodic program offers SFCA additional opportunities to bring forward existing but undiscovered works of quality. Past Wild Card projects have included commissioned works from composers Robin Estrada and Veronika Krausas, as well as collaborations including Lilith, the Night Demon, a folk opera by Joshua Horowitz, and our With Strings Attached CD with the Alexander String Quartet.
Composers Invitational
In our quest to continually discover and share new compositional voices, the Composers Invitational is a periodic call for new or existing scores that suit the theme of a specific concert.
COMPOSERS-IN-RESIDENCE
2024-2025 Theo Popov
Xingyue Song
Zoe Yost
2023-2024 Eric Tuan
2022-2023 Samuel C. Nedel
Clark Evans
José Daniel Vargas
2020-2022 Alexis Alrich
2018-2019 Jean Ahn
2017-2018 Michael Kaulkin
2016-2017 Elinor Armer
2015-2016 John Kelley
2014-2015 Daniel Afonso
2013-2014 Benjamin Taylor
2012-2013 Mark Winges
2011-2012 Allen Shearer
2010-2011 Richard Felciano
2009-2010 Brian Holmes
2008-2009 Ted Allen
2007-2008 Robin Estrada
2006-2007 Jerry Mueller
2005-2006 Henry Mollicone
2004-2005 Maia Aprahamian
2003-2004 Paul Crabtree
2002-2003 Russell Burnham
2001-2002 Kirke Mechem
2000-2001 David Conte
1999-2000 Herb Bielawa
1998-1999 Roger Nixon
COMPOSERS-NOT-IN-RESIDENCE
2024-2025 Patricia Julien
2023-2024 Balázs Kecskés D.
2022-2023 Caroline Mallonee
2020-2022 Timothy Kramer
2018-2019 Robinson McClellan
2017-2018 Sylke Zimpel
2016-2017 Paul Chihara
2015-2016 Shawn Crouch
2014-2015 Wayne Eastwood
2013-2014 Kala Pierson
2012-2013 Eleanor Aversa
2011-2012 Matthew Van Brink
2010-2011 Stephen Leek
2009-2010 Christopher Marshall