Announcing the Cross-Country Chamber Consortium

Atlanta Chamber Players (Atlanta), Decoda (New York), Fifth House Ensemble (Chicago), Musiqa (Houston) and SOLI Chamber Ensemble (San Antonio) are proud to announce the creation of a new consortium aimed at increasing diversity in modern chamber music repertoire. Beginning this year, the Cross-Country Chamber Consortium will inaugurate a new annual Black, Latinx and Indigenous Emerging Composer Commission. Winners of the commission will receive a $5000 cash award, a performance by each of the five Consortium members, a modest travel stipend to attend a performance in the location of their choice, and the combined artistic and administrative support of five chamber music ensembles committed to providing an outlet for new voices in modern music.

The Cross-Country Chamber Consortium is made up of ensembles from around the country who are all committed to the cultivation and performance of works by up-and-coming creators in the chamber music field. Each of these groups has a history of supporting emerging composers, but this new consortium was established to better amplify the voices of artists in Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities, voices which have traditionally been under-represented in the world of modern music. By joining forces to present five performances of the commissioned work, this consortium will provide a broader platform for these emerging composers than a traditional commission might. At the same time, this consortium model will provide composers with a valuable learning environment in which they can fine tune their new creations in a variety of settings.

Applications for the first round of this commission will be accepted in November of 2021, and the winner’s commission will be presented in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York and San Antonio during the 2022/2023 season. Applications will be judged blind by a panel representing the member organizations and joined by rotating guest judges. Application requirements and guidelines can be found on the Musiqa website.  

Support for this new commission comes from each of the member organizations and their generous donors. Additional support is provided by Scott and Judy Nyquist.