Upcoming Events
Cascadia Composers celebrates the music of living composers through a diverse array of concerts, presentations, and workshops. Visit the All Event Offerings page for more details.
In Good Hands - Eugene
Our In Good Hands series of concerts feature pre-college students performing pieces written by Cascadia Composers. This year we have two concerts: one on Saturday, July 2 at 4pm in Lincoln Recital Hall, Room 75, at Portland State University, with a second one on Sunday, August 10th at 4pm in the Wildish Community Theater in Springfield. The two shows will have different sets of performers and compositions.
At both of these concerts, pre-college students will perform pieces written by Cascadia Composers: some students will perform pieces written specifically for them; others will present works selected by their teachers from a score call to all 100+ Cascadia members. In either case, the composers and students collaborate to develop their performance and further their understanding of the piece and of contemporary music in general—a rare opportunity for students to work with living composers. Admission is free.
In Good Hands - Portland
Our In Good Hands series of concerts feature pre-college students performing pieces written by Cascadia Composers. This year we have two concerts: one on Saturday, July 2 at 4pm in Lincoln Recital Hall, Room 75, at Portland State University, with a second one on Sunday, August 10th at 4pm in the Wildish Community Theater in Springfield. The two shows will have different sets of performers and compositions.
At both of these concerts, pre-college students will perform pieces written by Cascadia Composers: some students will perform pieces written specifically for them; others will present works selected by their teachers from a score call to all 100+ Cascadia members. In either case, the composers and students collaborate to develop their performance and further their understanding of the piece and of contemporary music in general—a rare opportunity for students to work with living composers. Admission is free.
June Composer Insights : Oregon Soundscapes Solo Piano Project
Steven James will be sharing the history and purpose of the Oregon Soundscapes solo piano project, as well as a score breakdown and share some demonstrative recordings of the individual miniatures to discuss my creative process for crafting the pieces - mainly focusing on the creation of a "soundscape," and the concept of translating literal sounds and atmospheres from nature into musical gestures that exist outside of common-practice piano writing.
Sounding Across the Cascades : New Horn Music from the Pacific Northwest
In an exciting collaboration, the Willamette River Horn Quartet performs new works by members of Cascadia Composers. From action-packed works like Christina M. Richardson's Escape! Flee!, Sy Brandon's Roguery, and David A. Jones's steampunk'd Great, Lumbering, Mechanical Monstrosity, to the heartfelt strains of Mark Pritchard's Elegy and I'lana S. Cotton's While Away, Awhile, to the deep and mysterious in Nicholas Yandell and Tristan Bliss's Mount Motherboard and Rex Bell's Three Ephemeral Images, this program resounds with a rich variety of sights, sounds, and experiences.
May Composer Insights : Using (More) Plugins in Dorico
Mark Pritchard will share his experience in Dorico over the past couple of years, going through the steps necessary to add custom plugins to your score and play examples that demonstrate the possibilities.
Found Sound : Music for Percussion and Found Objects
Percussion is the oldest kind of musical instrument, dating back to the dawn of time when the earliest humans found themselves captivated by the noises made when they hit one object with another. Over the centuries, the ‘percussion section’ has been augmented with other objects that are not music instruments, but can be used to make music—Tchaikovsky’s cannons (1812 Overture), Verdi’s anvils (Il Trovatore), and Mahler’s DIY hammer blow (Symphony No. 6). More recently, composers also used new technology—analog recordings in the musique concrete of the 1940s, and sampling and synthesis starting in the 1980s—to bring sounds found in the wider world into the concert hall. With such a rich and diverse tradition as our touchstone, we’re sure you’ll find this concert makes a glorious noise.
The program will feature works by Cascadia members John Hidalgo, Steven James, Lisa Ann Marsh, Brian Magill, Lisa Neher, Mark Pritchard, Alex Shapira, and Greg A Steinke. Performers will include Florian Conzetti, Brad Dutz, Jolan Hutchinson, and Wanyue Ye. This evening will be exciting, thought-provoking…and fun. Join us!
Paths of Departure : An evening of Jazz and other explorations
Showcasing the diverse facets of Ted Clifford’s music, this concert will focus on improvisation—from solo piano, to jazz combo charts, and always with some quirks and occasional chaos thrown in. Performers will include: Ted Clifford, with Nat Caranto, Kenny Franklin, and Brian Winn, plus special appearances by David A. Jones, Carson Lattimore, Kevin Bryant Lay, and Ben Lincoln. This performance will be held at a private home in West Linn, with appetizers and wine included.
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March Composer Insights : The craft of transcription is all about dexterity
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
Presenter: Mark Vigil
Topic: I will present 1st my octet “Wildflowers” (1993) for various instruments and then secondly I will present my “Wildflowers2” (2024) a transcription of my octet for concert band.
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February Composer Insights : Composition Pedagogy
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
Presenter: Dawn L. Sonntag, D.M.A
Topic: Composition Pedagogy
In this presentation on composition pedagogy, composer Dawn Sonntag will share her experiences studying and teaching composition from both the perspective of a student and of a college and private studio instructor. Rather than a "how to" session, this presentation is meant to inspire discussion about the balance of objective knowledge and intuition required for composing and how we can motivate both students and ourselves to grow as composers. Attendees are invited to share their own experiences and insights.
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Beethoven Reimagined
Beethoven Reimagined features one of the most ambitious works ever conceived for the string quartet: Beethoven’s Op. 130. The heartbreaking Cavatina moved Beethoven to tears as he was composing it, and his original 15 minute Große Fuge finale was so challenging to audiences that he wrote an alternative finale for the quartet’s publication. The first half of this program features short new works inspired by Beethoven’s remarkable quartet, from a collaborative call-for-scores with Cascadia Composers.
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So Let it Be…
David S. Bernstein was tireless in pursuit of his vision: a collaborative group of composers with diverse music styles that would serve our communities here in the Pacific Northwest. This concert will celebrate the inspiring life and music of Cascadia’s leading co-founder. As David liked to say, usually with just a hint of a grin, “so let it be done!”
December Composer Insights : Using plugins in Dorico and Sibelius.
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
Mark Pritchard
Topic: Using plugins in Dorico and Sibelius.
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Fearless Lieder
Schubert and Goethe, Weill and Brecht, Gershwin and Gershwin… as these composers gave voice to their poet-collaborators’ words, Cascadia’s member composers’ music gives voice to the fearless poetry of four Oregon Poets Laureate—Kim Stafford, Elizabeth Woody, Paulann Petersen, and Lawson Inada. That and a special appearance by current laureate Ellen Waterston will make this unforgettable evening a celebration of our Pacific Northwest.
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Fearless Lieder Preview at Waterstone Gallery
On November 14th, our friends at Waterstone Gallery will host a concert preview. At 6pm, there will be a one hour program featuring performances from the Fearless Lieder concert, and former Oregon Poet Laureate Paulann Petersen will make a special appearance. Gallery artists will also be in attendance to discuss their works. Doors open at 5pm. Free admission.
November Composer Insights : Writing for the Horn, and Horn Ensembles
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
Topic: Writing for the horn, and horn ensemble
David Jones
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Deep Listening Gathering
All members and the public are invited to our monthly session of Deep Listening. We will start with a sonic meditation on the sounds of the environment, followed by a series of text-scores which we will perform together. The gathering will last approximately 90 minutes. To find out more about Deep Listening check out https://www.deeplistening.rpi.edu/deep-listening/.
If you like, please support these Gatherings (mostly the cost of the venue) by contributing here, selecting Deep Listening Gathering from the donation use menu.
Quiltings : The Music of Walter Saul
Our 2024-25 season begins with a singular evening, combining the evocative music of Walter Saul with the stunning fabric art of North Carolina artist Ann Harwell. Saul’s music, by turns playful and joyful, and somber and reflective, brings to life the stories behind Harwell’s art, from grand natural scenery to the delicate intimacy of flowers, from a Lunar Eclipse on our doorstep, out to the Butterfly Nebula, many light years distant. The music, alone, would be an inspiring experience, but combined with the art quilts projected on a large screen, this will be a journey not to be missed.
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October Composer Insights : Composition Software Roundtable
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
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September Composer Insights : Arnold Schoenberg’s Solo Piano Works
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
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In Good Hands 2024
Talented young Oregon students perform a fabulous smorgasbord of works by Cascadia Composers in this 13th annual celebration of new music, including works specially written in collaboration with individual students by our composer members. This event forges new paths to the future of art music by bringing teachers, composers and gifted young performers together to learn, create and inspire each other and their audiences. Admission is free!
Deep Listening June
All members and the public are invited to our monthly session of Deep Listening. We will start with a sonic meditation on the sounds of the environment, followed by a series of text-scores which we will perform together. The gathering will last approximately 90 minutes. To find out more about Deep Listening check out https://www.deeplistening.rpi.edu/deep-listening/.
June Composer Insights : Steven P. James Master’s Thesis
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
May Composer Insights : Sarah Jordan’s Composition Dissertation - POSTPONED
Please view event for details.
May the Fourth be With You!
Enjoy exciting new music by the extraordinary Jedi composers of Cascadia, performed by the Chameleon Winds quintet and outstanding local pianists. Concert is ON, please use Broadway entrance.
Northwest Voices
The Choral Arts Ensemble of Portland closes its 55th season with Northwest Voices. Continuing their long-running collaboration with Cascadia Composers, these concerts will feature choral music composed by local and regional composers, including Dawn Sonntag, Sydney Guillaume, Tomáš Svoboda and Northwest native Morten Lauridsen’s complete Madrigali: Six Fire Songs on Italian Renaissance Poems.
Northwest Voices
The Choral Arts Ensemble of Portland closes its 55th season with Northwest Voices. Continuing their long-running collaboration with Cascadia Composers, these concerts will feature choral music composed by local and regional composers, including Dawn Sonntag, Sydney Guillaume, Tomáš Svoboda and Northwest native Morten Lauridsen’s complete Madrigali: Six Fire Songs on Italian Renaissance Poems.
Deep Listening Gathering
All members and the public are invited to our first session of Deep Listening. We will start with a sonic meditation on the sounds of the environment, followed by a series of text-scores which we will perform together. The gathering will last approximately 90 minutes. To find out more about Deep Listening check out https://www.deeplistening.rpi.edu/deep-listening/.
Mabuhay! -A Celebration of Filipino People, Music, Language, and Culture
Embark on a journey of unique sounds and songs from the islands of the Philippines. Join us as we celebrate the joyful, resilient spirit of the Filipino community here in Oregon and throughout the world. All proceeds from this concert will be donated to the Filipino Bayanihan Center.
April Presentation
Free and open to the public!
Paul Safar presents his recent collaborative compositions and answers questions.
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
Blackout 24 24
Prepare to immerse yourself in a whole different kind of concert experience! .Blackout 24 24 is a mix of new electronic and acoustic soundscapes nestled totally in the dark, except for an occasional visual surprise. The darkness is a sound architect where the perception of music and our imagination intertwine! Hear compositions specially crafted for a low/no light environment, with performers weaving throughout this wonderfully interactive space, playing with the audience's perception in novel and unexpected ways. Featuring works by Dinah Bianchi, Daniel Brugh, David Jones, Brian Magill, Timothy Arliss O'Brien, Paul Safar, Greg Steinke, Kirsten Volness, Jennifer Wright & Gentle Heresy (Nicholas Yandell & Tristan Bliss)!