Sound

Sound and Music is pleased to announce a three year strategic partnership with New York's MATA festival to support the work of emerging British composers through dedicated commissioning and performance support at the festival. For over fifteen years, MATA has championed the commissioning and presenting works by young composers from around the world. The SaM/MATA partnership advances MATA's mission and provides invaluable opportunities for emerging UK composers. For many, the partnership will provide their first commission, the highest profile performance of their career thus far and their first significant exposure to New York audiences. MATA's directors are motivated by a desire to nurture the community of young musicians, especially those whose work challenges existing genres and transcends the remits of existing institutions. By providing young composers with a professional performance of their work, access to first-rate performers and valuable connections to colleagues, MATA nurtures their entry into American musical life. To date, MATA has commissioned over 67 works, and has presented over 293 performances of pieces by young composers. Composers who have been commissioned or presented by MATA early in their careers include Pulitzer-prize winner Jennifer Higdon, Derek Bermel, Annie Gosfield, Julia Wolfe, Nico Muhly, and Randall Woolf. In 2010 MATA received the prestigious Aaron Copland Award from the ASCAP Foundation, in recognition of its outstanding commitment to young composers. Participants are selected through MATA's annual open call.