2012 BARLOW COMMISSIONS ANNOUNCED

The Barlow Prize
The winning composer will receive a $12,000 commission from the Barlow Endowment to compose a major new work for A Cappella Choir.  The winning composer’s work will be premiered in 2014 by a consortium of three choirs:  BBC Singers (London), LATVIAN RADIO CHOIR (Latvia) and VOLTI (San Francisco).

BBC Singers

Latvian Radio Choir

VOLTI

The 10-12 minute work is expected to meet the highest artistic requirements for the medium.  Additional specifications for the work will be negotiated among the Barlow Endowment, the composer, and the performing consortium. Half of the commission fee will be paid when the contract for the commission is signed, and the other half will be paid when the finished score is submitted to the Endowment.

ELIGIBILITY
There are no restrictions with regard to musical style, nationality, age, gender, race, religion, or political persuasion. The only limitations are: 1) composers who have won the Barlow Prize in the previous five years will not be considered; and 2) members of the Barlow Boards are not eligible.

For more information click here.

Barlow General and LDS Commissions
In addition to the Barlow Prize, each year the Endowment sponsors two commissioning programs for significant new musical works not yet in progress. Both programs have June 1 deadlines: 1) GENERAL COMMISSIONS are available to composers and performing groups desiring collaboration, and 2) LDS COMPOSER COMMISSIONS are available to composers belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) or other composers who are willing to engage LDS subject matter.  Composers seeking General or LDS commissions may apply for either but not both, and should submit no more than one proposal to any program.

For information on the General Commission click here.

For information on the LDS Commission click here.

Barlow Commissioned Piece Praised Following Premiere

Lansing McLoskey's piece, What We Do Is Secret, recieved praises after it's premiere on October 9, 2011. The piece was performed by the Boston Conservatory Wind Ensemble at the Boston Conservatory.

Eric Hewitt, Chair of Woodwinds at the Boston Conservatory, stated, "[McLoskey] produced what I believe to be the only truly significant and meaningful work for solo Brass Quintet and Wind Ensemble composed to date. ... What We Do Is Secret is sophisticated, gripping, abstract yet engaging, sometimes hauntingly beautiful, and filled with virtuosity. This is American music at its best - imaginative, challenging, powerful, and direct."

Jobey Wilson, tubist with Triton Brass, said the piece was, "...like no wind ensemble piece I've ever heard or played...every wind ensemble conductor in America should hear this amazing addition to the [repetoire]!"

To listen to the piece, and for more information, click here.