I

For Immediate Release: May 18, 2017 Press Contact: William J. Lackey Vice President of Programs 651.251.2833 wlackey@composersforum.org

AmericanComposersForumandthePittsburghNewMusicEnsemble

AnnounceThreeComposersSelectedforACFCONNECT

ST.PAUL,MN–Threecomposershavebeenselectedasparticipants forthefirstannualACFCONNECTprogram offered by the American Composers Forum (ACF) in partnership with the highly acclaimedPittsburgh New Music Ensemble (PNME). Long recognized for its world-class performances andcommitmenttonewworkbeyondthepremiere,PNMEisaperfectmatchfortheACFCONNECTprogram.Selectedparticipantswillhaveanopportunitytoworkwiththeensembleover18months,culminatinginahighlyproducedperformanceinJuly2018.“ItisanhonortolaunchournewACFCONNECTprogramwiththese exceptional composers,” says John Nuechterlein, President and CEO of ACF. “They each bring adistinctivevoicetothefabricofAmericanmusic,andtheirinteractionwitheachotherandPNMEwillbeanextraordinaryopportunityforthemtogrowasartists,buildnewnetworksandengagenewaudiences.”Thethreeselectedcomposers,whosemusicalvoicesrepresentthediverselandscapeofmusicbeingcreatedtoday,werechosenoutof370applicantsfromacrossthecountry.ThecohortofACFCONNECTcomposersincludesDavidBiedenbender (EastLansing,MI),RufusReid (Teaneck,NJ),and JungYoonWie (AnnArbor,MI).Eachoftheselectedcomposerswillreceivea$7,500commissiontowriteapieceforPNMEthatwillbeworkshoppedandperformedbytheensembleinJuly2018.Theywillmeetwithindustryleaders,newmusicprofessionals,andnetworkwithothercomposersandperformerstocreateevenmoreopportunities.KevinNoe,PNMEArtisticDirector,stated“ThePittsburghNewMusicEnsemblehashadawonderfultimecollaboratingwiththeesteemedAmericanComposersForumonthisuniqueandsubstantiveproject.Asaresult,wehave listenedtoand learnedabouthundredsofcomposers,manyofwhomwerenewtous.Whilethethreefabulouscomposerschosen–DavidBiedenbender,JungYoonWie,andRufusReidwillallwritenewworksintendedtopremierenextseason–wealsoplantoreachoutandbuildrelationshipswithmanyothercomposersthatwediscoveredthroughthisprocessaswell.

ThethreenewworkscommissionedasaresultofthiscollaborationwiththeACFwillclearlyputPNMEacrossthethree-hundredcommissionthreshold.Overourlonghistorywehavecommissionedawiderangeofcomposers fromallover theworld,andwecouldnotbemorepleasedwiththetalentsof thethreechosenforthisprogram.Wearelookingforwardtogettingtoknowthem,tosupportingandpromotingthem,andtohavingachancetointroducethemtotheuniqueworkthattheLimeGreenDreamTeamdoesinPittsburghatourTheatreofMusic.

II

Forallthecomposersoutthere-thankyoufortakingtherisksthatyoudo,andforthecountlesshoursyouspend imagininghowthe littleblackdotsyou jotdownmightcometogethertomakeourworlda littlericher.WeatthePNMEandaudiencesallovertheworld…areforevergrateful.Lovelivecomposers,newwork,andtheactofcreation!” Aboutthewinners

DavidBiedenbender(EastLansing,MI)www.davidbiedenbender.com

ComposerDavidBiedenbender’smusichasbeendescribedas“simplybeautiful” [twincities.com]and isnoted for its “rhythmic intensity” [NewMusicBox] and “stirring harmonies” [Boston Classical Review].“Modern, venturesome, and inexorable…The excitement,intensity, and freshness that characterizes Biedenbender’smusichung in the [air] longafter the lastnotewasplayed”[Examiner.com].Davidhaswrittenmusicfortheconcertstageaswell as fordanceandmultimedia collaborations, andhisworkisofteninfluencedbyhisdiversemusicalexperiencesinrockand jazzbandsasanelectricbassist, inwind, jazz,andNew Orleans-style brass bands as a euphonium, basstrombone,andtubaplayer,andbyhisstudyofIndianCarnaticMusic.Hispresentcreativeinterestsincludeworkingwitheveryonefromclassicallytrainedmusicianstoimprovisers,acousticchambermusictolargeensembles,andinteractiveelectronicinterfacestolivebraindata.Hehashadtheprivilegeofcollaboratingwithandbeingcommissionedbymanytalentedperformersandensembles,includingAlarmWillSound,PRISMSaxophoneQuartet,Albany(NY)SymphonyOrchestra,StenhammarStringQuartet,NewJerseySymphonyOrchestra,U.S.NavyBand,PhilharmonieBaden-Baden(Germany),VocalEssence,andEastmanWindEnsemble,amongmanyothers.HeiscurrentlyAssistantProfessorofCompositionintheCollegeofMusicatMichiganStateUniversity.Heholdsdegrees incompositionfromtheUniversityofMichiganandCentralMichiganUniversity,andhasalsostudiedattheSwedishCollegiumforAdvancedStudy,theAspenMusicFestival,andinMysore,Indiawherehestudiedcarnaticmusic.

RufusReid(Teaneck,NJ)http://rufusreid.com/

RufusReidisaseasoned50-yearcareerveteranwhohasmadeover400recordingswithsomeofthejazzworld’s greatest performers. He is professor emeritus and director of jazz studies and performance atWilliamPatersonUniversity,wherehehastaughtforover20years.HisbookandDVD,TheEvolvingBassist,continuestobetheindustrystandardbassmethod.Hisreceipt of the 2006 Raymond Sackler Commissionresulted in his five-movement suite for large jazzensemble,QuietPride-TheElizabethCatlettProject.InNovember 2015, his albumQuiet Pride, received twoGrammynominations,forBestLargeJazzEnsembleandBestInstrumentalComposition.Rufus is a 2008 Guggenheim Fellow in the field ofcomposition, which resulted in the three-movementsymphonic work,Mass Transit. In April 2016 he wasnamedHarvardUniversity’sJazzMasterinResidence,participatinginpublicconversationsandperforminginconcertwithhisoriginalcompositions. InApril2017,LakeTyrrell InInnisfree,Rufus’thirdsymphonic

III

workwasdebuted inRaleigh,NCbytheRaleighCivicSymphony,PeterAskim,Conductor. InNovember2017,NewvelleRecords,anallvinylrecordingcompany,willreleasetheRufusReidTriofeaturingtheSIRIUSQUARTET.BornonFebruary10,1944inAtlanta,GA,RufusReidwasraisedinSacramento,CA,whereheplayedthetrumpetthroughjuniorhighandhighschool.UpongraduationfromSacramentoHighSchool,heenteredtheUnitedStatesAirForceasatrumpetplayer.Duringthatperiod,hebegantobeseriouslyinterestedinthebass.After fulfillinghisduties inthemilitary,Rufushaddecidedhewantedtopursueacareerasaprofessionalbassist.HemovedtoSeattle,Washington,wherehebeganseriousstudywithJamesHarnettof the Seattle Symphony. He continued his education at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois,where he studiedwithWarrenBenfield andprincipal bassist, JosephGuastefeste, both of theChicagoSymphony.Hegraduatedin1971withaBachelorofMusicDegreeasaPerformanceMajorontheDoubleBass.RufusReidtrulycontinuestobeTHEEVOLVINGBASSIST. JungYoonWie(AnnArbor,MI)https://www.jungyoonwie.com/BorninSeoul,SouthKorea,JungYoonWie’sworkshavebeenperformedbyleadingensemblesinnotablevenues.In2016,herorchestralwork,WaterPrism,waspremieredbytheNewJerseySymphony,oneofthe four works selected for the Edward T. Cone Composition Institute. Her chamber work,WhimsicalSketches,fortwoclarinets,twopercussion,andpiano,receivedtheSecondPrizeatthe2016RobertAvalonInternationalCompetitionandwaspremieredattheMuseumofFineArts,Houston.In2015,herworkforstring ensemble and percussion, Telephone, was premiered by Avanti! String Ensemble and Magnus

LindberginHelsinki,Finland.Anavidperformer,Wieenjoysconcertizingasapianist.In2014,shepremieredherpianoconcerto,JindoArirangConcerto,asaninvitedsoloistwiththeWoosterSymphonyOrchestra.Thisworkwould laterwintheFirstPrizeatthe2014OhioFederationofMusicClubsCollegiateComposersCompetitionandafinalistinthe 2014 ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young ComposerAwards. In 2016,Wieperformed the concerto againwith theWooster Symphony for the 100-year celebration of theorchestraatSymphonySpace,NewYorkCity.This summer, she will be participating as a fellow at June in

Buffalo,wherehernewwork,DrawtheSound,forbassoonandpianowillbeperformed.WieispursuingtheDoctorofMusicalArtsattheUniversityofMichiganundertheguidanceofBrightSheng.

PittsburghNewMusicEnsemblehttp://www.pnme.org/In their 42nd year, the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble (PNME) strives to present compelling andmemorableperformancesofcontemporarymusicbygivingworld-classperformances,bycommissioningand premiering new works by living artists, by disseminating and promoting new works beyond theirpremieresthroughrecordingandtouring,andbyconstantlyreexaminingandexploringthewayinwhichnewmusicispresented,andbyplayingaleadingroleinhelpingexpandaprogressiveartscommunity.ThePittsburghNewMusicEnsemblewasfoundedbyPittsburghcomposer,DavidStock,in1976,andsincethenhascommissionedandpremieredalmost300worksbycomposersincludingJohnCage,EllenTaaffeZwilich,MichaelDaugherty,DavidLang,DerekBermel,PierreJalbert,KierenMacMillan,andKevinPuts.

IV

Current Artistic Director Kevin Noe assumed that post in 2000 and implemented a new artistic visionincorporatingthedrama,lighting,sound,andstagedesignoftheatreintoPNME'sperformances.PNME'sPittsburghaudiencehasgrownbymorethan600%sincethattime,andthewildlysuccessfulexperimentisnowafullyrealizedperformancestyledubbedthe"TheatreofMusic.”

Today’sPNMEisafixedensembleofflute,clarinet,violin,cello,piano,percussion,soprano,bass-baritone,actor, lighting designer, and sound designer. These artists, chosen from around the world through arigorousauditionprocess,cometogetherforanintensesummerfestivalseasoninJulyattheCityTheatreonPittsburgh’svibrantSouthSide.Their beloved Founder, David Stock, stayed heavily involved in the company, and even wrote andconductedanewpieceofhisownforPNME's40thanniversary,justafewmonthsbeforehispassingin2015.Theirlimegreenlightshinesbrightlyforhim,andtheywillneverforgetallhehasdoneforthemusicalfabricofPittsburgh,forPNMEasacompanythroughouttheirmorethanfourdecadesinexistence.Currently, PNME produces an average of 10 concerts during July in Pittsburgh featuring existingcontemporaryworksandnewcommissions.Itregularlydoesresidenciesatvariousuniversities,includingmostrecentlytheUniversityofTexasatAustinandSusquehannaUniversity.Itisdevelopingabrandneweducational program for young artists that will provide the kind of professional opportunity for bothindividualsandexistinggroupsthatwillincreasetheirknowledge,artisticcraft,entrepreneurialskillsandprofessionalexposure,anditisbeginningavigorousproductioncycleofrecordingsofcontemporarymusicandtouringbothnationallyandabroad.Nowembarkingonitsnewestartisticvision,currentlycalledtheAllAroundUsproject,PNMEinitiatedalong-termprojectto incorporate immersivebinaural technology intotheirperformancedesignand intotheircommissioningprocess.Throughthesenewbreakthroughs,theybelievetheywillbeabletoprovidealevelofintensity,intimacy,andpersonalconnectionwithaudiencesthatwillbebothuniqueandagamechangerfortheworldofnewmusicandcomposition.

AbouttheAmericanComposersForumTheAmericanComposersForumiscommittedtosupportingcomposersanddevelopingnewmarketsfortheirmusic.Throughgranting,commissioning,andperformanceprograms,ACFprovidescomposersatallstages of their careers with valuable resources for professional and artistic development. By linkingcommunitieswithcomposersandperformers,ACFfostersademandfornewmusic,enrichescommunities,andhelpsdevelopthenextgenerationofcomposers,musicians,andmusicpatrons.Founded in 1973 as theMinnesota Composers Forum, the organization has grown from an innovativeregional initiative into one of the nation's premier composer service organizations. ACF programmingreachescomposersandcommunitiesinall50statesandhelpscomposersengagecommunitieswithmusicasasourceofinspiration,self-reflection,anddelight.Thisengagementtakestheformofgroundbreakingcomposerresidencies,designedtoengagecommunitiesinthecreativeprocessandbroadenthecontextsinwhichnewmusiciswritten,performed,andheard.Itmeansinnovativeapproachestoteachingmusicwhilenurturingthenextgenerationofcomposers,performers,andaudiences.ACFsupportscomposers'artisticandprofessionalgrowththrougharichvarietyofprogramsandservices, includingcommissions,performances,readings,andfellowships.2,000membersincludecomposersandperformers,presentersandorganizationsthatshareACF'sgoals,andindividualsandinstitutionswithaninterestinsupportingnewmusic. Members come from both urban and rural areas; they work in virtually every musical genre,includingorchestralandchambermusic,worldmusic,operaandmusictheater,jazzandimprovisationalmusic,electronicandelectro-acousticmusic,andsoundart.

V

ProgramFundingACFCONNECT isaprogramof theAmericanComposersForum.Support for this initiative isgenerouslysupportedbytheI.A.O’ShaughnessyFoundationinmemoryofThelmaHunter,MargeeandWillBracken,DeeAnnandKentCrossley,JeffandHyunMeeGraves,KathleenHenschelandJohnDewes,HellaMearsHueg,ThelmaHunterEstate,RuthHussFundofTheSaintPaulFoundation,FredandAnnMoore,DavidandJudyRanheim,BillandSusanSands,GaleSharpe,DanandEllieThomas,JimWaflerandLillianPohlkamp,andMargaretandAngusWurtele.

###