As part of its 2023 Summermusik festival, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra performed a new flute concerto by Zhou Tian, co-commissioned by the chamber orchestra with a consortium of ensembles. Music Director Eckart Preu led the concert; flutist Mimi Stillman was the soloist.
The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle (NC), and Reno Chamber Orchestra have announced the first annual Summermusik Commission Competition. The blind competition is open to composers of any nationality and age. The winning composition will be performed by the four chamber orchestras over the course of the 2025-26 season, with the premiere taking place in Cincinnati in August 2025. The winner will receive a $10,000 grand prize and a travel stipend to attend the premiere. “As a professional orchestra, we believe that we have a responsibility to provide opportunities for living composers,” says Summermusik (Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra) Executive Director Evan Gidley. “The blind nature of this competition removes all bias during the judging process, thus providing equal opportunity to all prospective applicants.” Led by Music Director Eckart Preu, Summermusik (Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra) is an ensemble of 32 professional musicians that is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. The deadline to apply for the competition is March 31, 2024. The selected composer will have a year to compose the new work. For details and to apply, visit ccocincinnati.org/competition/.
