From left, University of Missouri students Santiago Beis, Jack Snelling, and Sam Whitty take a bow after the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s March 1 performance of their compositions at Powell Hall in St. Louis. Photo by Bailey Stover/Missourian.
“Each year, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra selects three University of Missouri students to compose a piece for one of its performances,” writes Elizabeth Derner in Sunday’s (3/5) Columbia Missourian. “The students work with the conductor and musicians twice and receive a professional recording of their works from the live performance. The collaboration is part of the Mizzou New Music Initiative, which involves a variety of programs largely funded by the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation to support young composers…. On Wednesday, graduate student Santiago Beis and seniors Jack Snelling and Sam Whitty traveled to St. Louis with other composition students and professors to observe as their music was performed…. The students said it’s a high-pressure opportunity and a highlight of their composition careers. They can write a piece about anything for musicians who can play just about anything…. The ensemble had a 70-minute rehearsal before performing three compositions by Sam Whitty, Beis and Snelling….The process spanned from August to February…. Stephanie Childress, the conductor, approached the composers after the concert, complimenting their work and asking them to sign her scores. Stefan Freund, an MU composition professor, heard compliments from several orchestra musicians too.”
