History & Background of PROJECT ENCORE™
The PROJECT was created in response to an area of challenge long recognized by composers: That of acquiring post-premiere performances of worthy compositions. Artistic Director and Founder of Schola Cantorum on Hudson, Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, became increasingly concerned about this difficulty as she worked with composers of pieces premiered by SCH, in their efforts to obtain interest in, and ultimately additional performances of those fine compositions following their successful premiere presentations.
Although this post-premiere compositional conundrum is not new, it is, without doubt, intensified at this particular time by changes in the publishing industry, the veritable explosion of self-publishing efforts at the hands of a wide array of compositional experience, and the virtual disappearance of music retailers that carry meaningful shelf-stock. The marketing of new work is increasingly coming to rely on convention-packaged materials, limiting both reach and variety. At stake is nothing less than the potential loss of many beautiful, compelling, and powerful new works that have every right to be welcomed into standard performance repertory, where they can follow happily upon the heels of their premiere performances, even once the headline cachet of ‘premiere’ has been spent.
Dr. King and SCH ‘stakeholders’ (501c3) believe that change need not represent threat; rather, fresh opportunity! Hence, the birth of PROJECT ENCORE™ in 2009!
The time is now. Let the word go forth with vigor and in health, to the ever-deepening impact of choral singing upon the world!