Calling All Colorado Composers!

The average classical composer may work in obscurity for years before his or her material is ever performed in concert. Oftentimes the only path to a public performance involves renting a hall, hiring musicians, and then trying to sell tickets to recoup some of the expenses.

But there is another way! The Playground Ensemble, a group of professional musicians who also happen to be the official Artists In Residence at DU's Lamont School of Music, sponsor an annual program that offers some valuable exposure to budding Beethovens and Mozarts -- or perhaps the next incarnation of Philip Glass.

On April 30, 2010, The Playground Ensemble will present its fourth CoCoCo (Colorado Composers Concert), providing valuable exposure to some of the state's most innovative musical minds. In the group's first such concert [2007], 30 pieces were offered for consideration and eleven were ultimately selected for performance. In the ensuing years the number of submissions have continued to grow.

Executive director Conrad Kehn said, "Because we have designed CoCoCo as a 'call for scores' rather than a competition, we judge the entries on their own merits instead of according to how they compare to each other." He went on to explain that the selected works have ranged from improvisational jazz to tonal neo-classical and avant-garde. Many of the pieces have gone on to become a regular part of the group's annual programming.

Visit this link to learn more about CoCoCo and to download a submission form.

Check out the October issue of Colorado Music Buzz to read a review of The Playground Ensemble's September 18 concert.