Cincinnati Song Initiative Presents Second Annual Concert of Commissioned Song from NATS Composer Mentorship Program

Cincinnati Song Initiative presents the commissioned world premiere songs from the 2021-2022 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) composer mentorship program mentees.

Cincinnati Song Initiative is thrilled to partner with the National Association of Teachers Singing (NATS) for the second annual Let It Be New concert. This event showcases new art songs by the ten composers participating in the 2021-2022 NATS Mentoring Program for Composers. Each mentee was paired with an established composer for an 8-month period, receiving monthly one-on-one coachings. As a capstone culmination of this year’s program, the digital-only performance streams for free on CSI’s website beginning June 26, 2022 at 4pm ET.

“With this second year of the program, a mentoring experience for art song composers has a firmly established place from which to grow and develop,” says NATS Executive Director Allen Henderson. “The first year exceeded all of our expectations and we look forward to hearing the works this year’s cohort will create.”

This year’s mentees include composers Erik Franklin, Kevin Garnica, Molly Hennig, Mikhail Johnson, Joseph Jones, Marc Migó, Lisa Neher, Timothy Peterson, Hannah Rice, and Jorell Williams. Beginning in 2021, CSI has partnered with NATS to commission and premiere songs by the mentees in a special spring performance. 

“As a singer and pianist, I was once told that I could be exceptional if I focused on just one thing. Those that know me know that this is humanly impossible - having the right people on your team to fine tune, enhance, and present your work is such an amazing asset, and having a chance to work with seasoned veterans in the sport of composition (because it takes a lot to do so) only pushes me to continue to create the best version of a story possible in my own works,” said mentee composer Jorell Williams. “Working with my mentor reinforced my opinion that composing contributes to my other artistic endeavors, as opposed to limiting them.”

This year, they were guided by Evan Mack, Steven Mark Kohn, Lori Laitman, Nkeiru Okoye, Tom Cipullo, Libby Larsen, Maria Corley, and David Conte throughout the course of the program. Major support for the 2021-2022 program has been generously provided by Lori Laitman.

“I applied to the NATS mentorship program because I wanted to learn tools for getting my music out there and in front of more singers and voice teachers who might want to perform it.” said mentee composer Lisa Neher. “The transition from early to mid career as a composer isn't discussed very much in college or graduate school.”

“I'm excited to share this piece and the incredible performance by Cincinnati Song Initiative with a wider audience and to connect with more singers from across the country, hopefully some of whom will want to collaborate with me on future projects!”

About the NATS Mentoring Program for Composers

The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) is pleased to announce the NATS Mentoring Program for Composers. This unique mentoring opportunity for emerging and early career art song composers aims to promote and encourage the composition and performance of new works.

Composers of vocal music (especially art song and opera) are encouraged to apply for this program. Between 8 and 10 selected composers will be paired with a mentor for about 8 months. The mentoring will involve one-to-one online contact approximately once a month. Depending on the schedule of the mentors, the needs of the mentees, and the interests of both parties, the mentors might critique short works, give general counsel about writing for voice, offer advice about resources, point the mentees toward appropriate performers and presenters, give information about recording and publishing opportunities, and just generally be a sounding board for any questions the mentees might have. 

At the end of a year, it is hoped that the mentees might have some of their works presented by NATS, either on the web, or as part of regional or national NATS events.There is no cost for the NATS Mentoring Program and no application fee. There are no age or stylistic limitations, but the program is intended for those in the early stages of their professional careers or those nearing the end of their formal education.

Learn more about the NATS mentoring program for composers here.

About Cincinnati Song Initiative

Since its founding in 2016, Cincinnati Song Initiative has connected thousands of people through the unique and intimate power of classical song, and is a recipient of Ovation TV’s Stand for the Arts award based on how well an organization empowers the community, builds strategic partnerships, drives engagement through volunteerism, and delivers creative programming.

Smaller in scale than opera, choral music, or other theatrical genres, the performance of song most commonly features one singer and one pianist in a visceral musical experience. Cincinnati Song Initiative creates these experiences with a pioneering spirit to engage communities in thoughtful and innovative ways. Deriving its texts from a variety of sources such as poetry, prose, speeches, or plays, song portrays the immediate and deep personal experiences we encounter throughout everyday life.

Each concert features singers and pianists of national renown, providing an unparalleled level of artistry within an intimate and accessible atmosphere. Audiences enjoy close interaction with the artists, hearing them discuss the relevance of the music in relation to today’s cultural and societal context, and enjoy engaging with them - and each other - during post-performance receptions. Concerts take place at different venues throughout the Queen City in order to connect with its many vibrant communities and explore all it has to offer.

Cincinnati Song Initiative remains devoted to the innovation of twenty-first century song by commissioning and premiering new works. CSI aims to connect with today's audiences and lead the way in original digital content among arts organizations, continually adding to its rich suite of resources with educational webinars, live interviews with artists and composers, and innovative performance projects imagined for the virtual realm.

For more information regarding upcoming concerts, artists, and CSI’s thematic projects, please visit www.cincinnatisonginitiative.org.