Introducing ComposerLab Flute: Young American Composers

Dolce Suono Ensemble (DSE) is delighted to announce the launch of our new project “ComposerLab Flute: Young American Composers.” Our goal is to bring compelling new works by young composers before a global online audience and provide an enriching professional experience for developing composers, assisting them in having their musical voices heard. We are honored to have been awarded a grant from the Alice M. Ditson Fund at Columbia University for this project.

ComposerLab will provide an online platform to disseminate excellent works by American composers, under 30, through several components:

  • A new video stream, to go live on March 15, 2021, featuring performances of 10 works for solo flute on Dolce Suono Ensemble’s website and social media channels (YouTube, Facebook). The works, listed below, are performed/filmed by Mimi Stillman, acclaimed flutist and DSE Artistic Director. Watch here.
  • An opportunity for the composers to participate in online composition masterclasses with celebrated composer David Serkin Ludwig, at which Mimi Stillman will perform and discuss the works. The masterclass will be open to the public via Livestream on DSE’s Facebook page, giving viewers a rare view into how new compositions are workshopped. First masterclass: Thursday, March 18, 2021, 7:00-9:00pm ET (US) [Ludwig will be guest composer on “Tea with Mimi” Livestream on Thursday, March 11 at 7:00pm ET – Follow here to view]
  • A video interview with each composer will be presented on DSE’s website.

ComposerLab Flute includes the following ten composers and their works for solo flute. Click on each name for more information.

Jacob Beranek, Glistening

Che Buford, In Thought

Liam Cummins, Forest Melodies

Carla Irizarry-Delgado, The Nymph

Ella Kaale, Falling Buffalos

Maxwell Kaye, Bucolic Fantasy

Winston F. Schneider, Trying to Catch a Cloudless Sulphur

Emily Singleton, Breath not gone anywhere

Elizabeth Younan, Fantasia II

Andy Yu, Awakening

ComposerLab Flute is one of the innovative online initiatives Dolce Suono Ensemble has created in response to the cancellation of our planned concerts this season due to the covid-19 pandemic. These programs are designed to continue reaching audiences remotely during these challenging times.

We at Dolce Suono Ensemble are excited about our ComposerLab Flute project and its potential to bring about artistically rewarding collaborations between performers and composers; to foment growing interest in new music by emerging American composers; and to promote mutually stimulating connections among artists and global listeners of diverse backgrounds.

Dolce Suono Ensemble’s active commissioning program has led to 55 world premieres in 15 seasons by some of today’s most eminent composers, and its work with young composers includes two Young Composers Competitions. DSE-commissioned works can be heard on several albums including “Odyssey: 11 American Premieres for Flute and Piano”, “Freedom”, and “American Canvas” (all on Innova Recordings), with Mimi Stillman, flute, Charles Abramovic, piano, and Dolce Suono Trio.