1999 Annual Report

1999 Report

Now that the Barlow Endowment has a new Executive Director, it seems appropriate to reflect on the accomplishments of the past seventeen years under the supervision of Merrill Bradshaw, the outgoing Executive Director.

During his tenure, the Barlow Endowment commissioned 105 composers to write 120 new works that were performed by 104 different ensembles. Renowned composers such as Samuel Adler, Dominick Argento, John Harbison, Bernard Rands, Joseph Schwantner, Joan Tower, and Augusta Read Thomas have received Barlow commissions. The piece for which Melinda Wagner won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize was commissioned by the Barlow Endowment. Major American orchestras, including those of Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and St. Louis, have performed Barlow commissions. Other distinguished performing ensembles such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Kings Singers, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra have been involved as well. The magnitude of these successes is staggering.

Both Merrill and I have known for some time that I would be succeeding him as Executive Director. He has taken me under his wing showing me the ropes. I’ve known Merrill for 21 years. He interviewed me before I accepted my current faculty position at BYU. I knew then, here was an intellect and force to be dealt with. I have watched his exuberance and devotion to the objectives of the Endowment’s Charter since its inception. I cannot “replace” Merrill; but we share an excitement and commitment to the cause of new music. The Endowment’s stature and position in the world has been secured because of Merrill’s energetic leadership over the past seventeen years. He has made a difference.

The Barlow Education Grant supports students and faculty of the BYU School of Music in their education and their professional endeavors in music composition.

1999 Report

Because nearly all of our graduate students completed their degrees last summer, we spent only a small amount of this budget on scholarships—around $1,200.

That was a curse and a blessing: a curse because our graduate program suddenly became emaciated, a blessing because we now could be more flexible with how the money was spent. We ended up focusing the money on two aims: getting outside composers to BYU and inside composers out of it.

As usual, we spent some funds for faculty to travel to conferences or performances. But more frequently we spent money to produce scores, dub performances, and disseminate such things to an unsuspecting world. I get glimmers of knowledge mostly from former BYU students who are now graduate students elsewhere-that the reputation of BYU as a center for new music is growing.

We also, as usual, applied our resources toward readings and performances of student works. But one of the best things we did for our students was to provide a “field trip” for several of them in October. Visiting the Moab Music Festival, the students not only heard premieres of works by Lukas Foss, Peter Lieberson, and others, but actually got to have their own private quasi-master class with Lieberson. This was a revelatory experience for several, and Lieberson was exceptionally gracious with his time, wisdom, and advice.

Meanwhile, we sponsored campus visits by Jonathan Kramer and Claude Baker during this semester. Both gave lectures to the entire School of Music, presented their music in a more technical way during our composition seminar, and gave master classes. These visits, like the field trip, greatly impressed the students, based on the frequent mentions and reminiscences we hear.

Sister Packer once was asked what she saw as her role in life. She replied, “Making happy memories.” I think, to some extent, I see our Barlow-Education Grants-role as similar to that. Between the excursions we sponsor and the guests we import, we are making happy—and lastingly illuminating—memories for the fine students and faculty we have. And what else, ultimately, is money good for?

As we move into the next calendar-year budget, we look forward to several new projects, including a Barlow CD featuring the works of none other than me, your humble (and appreciative) servant.