HOUSTON, TX (December 21, 2015) For the second time in three years, Musiqa has been recognized nationally for its cutting edge programs by receiving the ASCAP/Chamber Music America “Award for Adventurous Programming.” Selected out of thirty nominations by music ensembles or presenters from around the United States, this is a distinguished honor for Musiqa and its unique program offerings to the Houston region.
“The CMA/ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award is one of the highest national honors a group like Musiqa can receive. We are extremely grateful to have been recognized. To have earned two of them in the last three years is a wonderful validation of our inter-disciplinary approach to presenting new music to audiences of all ages and diverse backgrounds,” stated Musiqa Artistic Director, Anthony Brandt.
Three ensembles and four presenters were selected to receive 2016 CMA/ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. The awards will be presented at the Chamber Music America National Conference on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at the Westin New York at Times Square in New York City. Cia Toscanini, Vice President of Concert Music, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and great-granddaughter of legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini, will present the awards.
Established jointly by Chamber Music America and ASCAP, the annual awards recognize U.S.-based professional ensembles and presenters for distinctive programming of music composed within the past 25 years. The recipients, chosen by an independent panel of classical and jazz chamber music professionals, were evaluated on the basis of their programming and innovations in attracting audiences to performances of new music.
The 2016 CMA/ASCAP Awardees are:
SMALL PRESENTERS (9 concerts or less per year):
Contemporary: Musiqa (Houston, TX)
Mixed repertory: Kyo-Shin-An Arts (New York, NY)
LARGE PRESENTERS (10 or more concerts per year):
Mixed repertory: The Cleveland Museum of Art (Cleveland, OH)
Jazz: The Jazz Gallery (New York, NY)
ENSEMBLES:
Contemporary: loadbang (New York, NY)
Jazz: Steve Griggs Ensemble (Seattle, WA)
Mixed repertory: Cantata Profana (Brooklyn, NY)
The awards will be presented at the Chamber Music America National Conference on January 10, 2016 at the Westin New York at Times Square.