Every July, Wellesley’s relatively quiet summertime campus gets a shot of energy when the Composers Conference comes into town. I used to be acutely aware of their arrival, because my office was right next to the percussion ensemble rehearsal room (acoustic insulation can only do so much!). It’s a wonderful program that has been going on for decades. Professional musicians, amateur musicians, and ten composer fellows get together for two weeks of coaching and comraderie. During the conference, new music by all ten composers is performed by the professional musicians, who also serve as the coaches for participants.
The concerts are a wonderful opportunity to hear new works by emerging artists. I am looking forward to hearing Yu-Hui Chang’s new piece, because I just loved her composition for Wellesley’s Choir and Triple Helix Piano Trio that debuted at the college last spring.
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