CO-OP PRESS

Featuring the music of Sy Brandon

Commission Assistance Grant

Purposes:

• To encourage performers at all levels of development (elementary performing ensemble through professional) to experience the value of working closely with a composer of Mainstream Literary Music*.
• To cultivate audiences for Mainstream Literary Music* by having the composer speak about the music at the concert.
• To encourage composer/performer interaction by having the composer and performer work closely during the creation and rehearsal process.
• To foster the growth of Mainstream Literary Music* by providing opportunities for educational outreach through open rehearsals, pre-concert lectures, and in presentations to community and/or educational organizations.
  • *Mainstream Literary Music is art music that is based on musical traditions established prior to the mid-20th century

Grant:

• Grant covers the cost of the commission fee, copying and reproduction of parts, and composer residency.
• Applicants must be individuals or organizations residing in the continental United States.
• This grant is available for commissioning music from award-winning composer, Sy Brandon. The music of composer, Sy Brandon, may be sampled at http://cooppress.hostrack.net.
  • Joseph Stephens, Director of Music at The First United Methodist Church in El Dorado, AR writes,"Dr. Sy Brandon visited my church for a premeire of one of his sacred choral works ("Psalm 23") this year and the experience was one I will never forget. His ability to connect with the people of the church as well as the choir was remarkable. In addition to spending time with the choir he was gracious enough to talk with me, at great length, about music composition and practice. His music speaks on a level that few composers ever reach. I would recommend him to any music ensemble for a commission or lecture series. He taught me and my choir more in one day than all the training I have had so far in my career."
  • Paul Comptom, Oklahoma State University writes "The piece was wonderful and better than I had even imagined. I would love to play the composition again and again."
    
  • Jay Krush, Faculty, Boyer College of Music, Temple University writes, "As a speaker, Dr. Brandon is articulate, energetic and full of fascinating, clearly voiced ideas. He is a natural teacher and has the rare ability to make complex musical ideas comprehensible and entertaining to musicians (whether professionals, studtents, or amateurs) and to the general public and students, as well."

• Several grants will be awarded during each cycle.

Application Process:

• Apply by the following deadlines using the printable application form:

• Application must include a description of the residency activities planned. (see suggestions)
• Criteria for evaluating applications include the completeness of the application and the quality of performance as illustrated by the recorded materials submitted. Each level of development will be evaluated on its own merit.
• Co-op Press reserves the right to not award a grant if there are no suitable candidates.
• Only persons or organizations who have never received a grant from Co-op Press are eligible to apply.
  
• Submitted materials will not be returned. Applicants will be notified of the results via e-mail or by regular mail.
• Questions regarding this grant or application process may be addressed to cooppress@comcast.net.

Recipients of Commission Assistance Grants Awarded in July 2001:

• Rommel Cordova - Ft. Worth, Texas - "Concerto alla Jazz" for tuba and band - "Sy is one of the most easy going people I have had the pleasure of working with.  Collaborating with him on this piece and it's premiere was very exciting for me.  I look forward to working with him again in the future!" Rommel Cordova
  
• Euphouria Tuba/Euphonium Quartet - Cookeville, Tennessee - "In Remembrance, Spetember 11, 2001"
  
• John Hardisky - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - "Sonata Ritmico" for tuba and piano
  

Recipients of Commission Assistance Grants Awarded in November 2001:

• Clarkston, MI High School Madrigals - Clarkston, MI - "World Brotherhood"
  

Recipients of Commission Assistance Grants Awarded in March 2002:

• Shelley M. Jagow - Wright State University - "Celebration of Flight" for alto saxophone and violin
  

Recipients of Commission Assistance Grants Awarded in July 2002:

• Dr. Kenyon Wilson - Fulbright Scholar at Baku Music Academy - "American Fantasy" for tuba and piano - "Dr. Brandon demonstrated extensive knowledge of effective compositional techniques specific to my instrument and worked closely with me to produce a new composition that was exactly what I needed--a strong piece with a touch of Americana." Dr. Kenyon Wilson
• Harmonie Del Sur Oboe and Trumpet Duo - "Three Flirtations"
  

Recipients of Commission Assistance Grants Awarded in November 2002:

• Golden Gate Wind Quintet - San Francisco Bay Area, CA - "In Praise of Music"
  
• Trio di Camerati - Connecticut - "Three Jazzy Pieces" for flute, clarinet and cello
  

Recipients of Commission Assistance Grants Awarded in March 2003:

• Delicato Ensemble - Cincinnati, OH - "Scenes from Tom Sawyer" for flute, clarinet and piano
  

• Duozona - Tempe, AZ - "Southwestern Suite" for flute and guitar - "Sy Brandon's Southwestern Suite received a overwhelmingly exciting response from the audience, who lept to their feet in aplause at the final note. How often do you get to experience a standing ovation in the middle of a program?" Chuck and Theresa Hulihan, Duozona
  
• Paul Compton - Oklahoma State University - "Ballad and Dance Variations" for trombone and band
  

• University of Arkansas Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble - "Suite Francaise Moderne" - "Suite Francaise Moderne is a wonderful addition to the tuba-euphonium ensemble repertoire.  The piece's neotonal foundation and unique style lend themselves aptly to the deep, rich voices of the instruments.  Mr. Brandon's melodies are first rate and memorable." Dr. Benjamin Pierce
  
• San Jose Metropolitan Band - "Metropolitan Moods"
  
• French Road School Elementary School String Orchestra - "Escape to Freedom"
  
• French Road School Elementary School Blue Band - "Civil War Suite" - "By using popular songs of the Civil War period, Sy Brandon has wonderfully captured the moods and emotions of the common folks who lived through the War.  The Suite really helped our students to understand the War in a more personal way." James Orgar
  

Recipients of Commission Assistance Grants Awarded in October 2004:

• The Chicago Brass Band Players - "Introduction, Aria, and Dance" - "...an audience-pleasing, expressive original work for programming on a concert. Every 10-piece brass ensemble should try it." - Steve Marcus, director of the Chicago Brass Band Players.
  
• The Silverwind Duo - "Kaleidoscope" for flute and clarinet - "Kaleidoscope is an inventive suite of vibrant musical miniatures. The instrument interplay combines melodic motives and imaginative timbres into a colorful and shape-shifting (not to mention entertaining!) musical experience" - Dr. Andrew Seigel and Nicole McPherson, Silverwind Duo
  
• The International Euphonium Institute - "Echoes" for double euphonium quartet - "The work is very idiomatic and easy to put together." - Adam Frey, Founder and Directorof the International Euphonium Institute
  
• The Hartford Brass Quintet - "Scenes from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"
  

• The Cadence Music Ensemble - "Divertissement" for oboe, piano, and percussion - "Divertissement was well received by the aidience" - Tricia Wlazlo - Cadence Music Ensemble
  
• Xi Mu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, University of Delaware - "The First State" for wind ensemble -
  

• Harpsody - "Sonatasia" - "Sy Brandon was informative and educational and we understood the piece better as we learned his approach to the piece and his ideas." - Kaffee T. Minum and Tomoko Sato, Harpsody
  
• Royce City Middle School Band - "Mission to Mars"- "Dr. Brandon's residency with our band provided insight into the composer's creativity process and added so much more to the premiere performance." - Shayne Canning - Royse City Middle School Band Director
Royce City High School Band - "A Franklin Portrait" - "A Franklin Portrait brings the world of music and history into an educational and emotional experience of the highest quality." - Dean Bouras - Royse City High School Band Director
• Altoona Area High School Orchestra - "Horseshoe Curve" - " Horseshoe Curve was exactly what I was hoping for. What a wonderful tribute to the hard workers of the railroad and the city of Altoona." - Kelly Detwiler, Altoona Area High School Orchestra Director
  

• Carson Cooman - organist -
  

• The Washington Sinfonietta
• Conundrum
  

Recipients of Commission Assistance Grants Awarded in October 2007:

• Meggie Aube
  
• Kansas State University Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble