“Studying composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, Kitty Xiao doesn’t have much opportunity to hear her own orchestral music performed,” writes Jay Handelman in Saturday’s (3/9) Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL). “Next weekend … the Sarasota Orchestra performs her piece ‘Ink and Wash’ as part of the ‘EarShot’ concert program.… ‘This is a really special occasion,’ Xiao said.… Xiao’s work will be featured in a concert that also includes ‘Wind Map’ by Sam Wu … ‘Crossing’ by Krists Auznieks … and ‘Bird Up’ by Nicky Sohn…. Los Angeles-based conductor Christopher Rountree will lead the new music readings, which follow a week of private sessions, rehearsals and feedback from mentor composers. EarShot is an initiative of the American Composers Orchestra, in collaboration with the American Composers Forum, League of American Orchestras and New Music USA…. Robert Beaser, a former artistic director of the American Composers Orchestra … said, ‘We’ve developed a rather evolved and deep system of how to take the composer through the process of having their piece read, from being chosen, through interacting with the orchestra, getting feedback from the orchestra and mentor composers.’ … The EarShot concerts also provide … audiences [with] something new and different.”
Posted March 12, 2019
In photo, clockwise from top left: EarShot composers Krists Auznieks, Nicky Son, Kitty Xiao, and Sam Wu
