Commissioning Club //
I think the SCMS commissioning club is one of the greatest jewels of the organization. The commissioning club has been responsible for bringing to life some truly remarkable music of lasting value, and ensures that the art of chamber music remains a living art form. The yearly commission is always a tremendously exciting event, and one of the highlights of the summer festival. I am deeply grateful to the individuals of the commissioning club for their wonderful support. – SCMS Artistic Director James Ehnes
Through their support, members help support the commissioning of a new chamber music work each year, which is performed during our Summer Festival the following year.
Commissioning Club members are invited to three salons through the course of the year and receive an invitation to a dress rehearsal. The first two salons are led by SCMS Director of Education Programs, Jeremy Jolley, where members discuss the history of the ensemble form that is featured in that year’s commission, as well as the compositional approach of the commissioned composer. The final salon features the commissioned composer discussing the new piece with the members of the Club.
As a Commissioning Club member, you are asked to make a three year commitment in support of the initiative, with a minimum of $300 per year per household suggested. To join, or for more information, please call 206.283.8710.
As expressed by our Artistic Director James Ehnes, the introduction of new music will continue to play an important role in our organization. For 2017, we are excited about our commissioned work from composer Lisa Bielawa. Her Trio for Flute, Horn and Piano will have it’s premiere at SCMS’s Summer Festival on Monday, July 10, 2017 and will feature Lorna McGhee, flute, Jeffrey Fair, horn, and Andrew Armstrong, piano.
Here is Derek Bermel discussing his piece, Death with Interruptions for Violin, Cello, and Piano, which premiered during the 2014 Summer Festival.
Since its inception, Seattle Chamber Music Society’s Commissioning Club has supported the creation of 11 new works for chamber music; several have had additional performances at other festival around the country. They are:
2017 Lisa Bielawa, Fictional Migrations; Trio for Flute, Horn and Piano
2016 Jeremy Turner, The Inland Seas for Violin and Mandolin
2015 Steven Stucky, Cantus, Sextet for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Percussion and Piano
2014 Derek Bermel, Death with Interruptions for Violin, Cello and Piano
The Trio was co-commissioned with Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and La Jolla Music Society for Summerfest
2013 Lawrence Dillon, Sanctuary, Septet for Horn, String Quintet, and Piano
2012 Gary Kulesha, Quartet for Piano and Strings
The Quartet was performed during the 2014 Ottawa Chamber Music Festival.
2011 Laura Kaminsky, Horizon Lines for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano
Horizon Lines has received several performances and was performed by the Poulenc Trio in March 2014 in Washington, DC.
2010 Gerard Schwarz, Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano
2009 Christopher Theofanidis, Summer Verses for Violin and Cello
2008 Jeffery Cotton, Six Departures, Trio for Flute Viola and Harp
2007 Ronn Yedidia, Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano
