from staff
The Florida Composers’ Competition offers Jacksonville audiences a first-hearing of new music from across the state of Florida. Now launching its fifth biennial Fresh Ink competition, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra is one of several American orchestras to hold such an event. Fresh Ink is sponsored by Yvonne and Cecil West, with additional funding by the National Endowment for the Arts.
During Fresh Ink, eight Florida-based composers will hear their original scores played by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Their works were chosen by JSO Music Director and Principal Conductor Fabio Mechetti from more than 20 submissions. JSO Associate Conductor Morihiko Nakahara will lead the orchestra during the Reading Sessions Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Wednesday at 10 a.m. and at the Fresh Ink Final Concert Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. during which the selected final works are performed and the Fresh Ink winner is announced.
The winning composer will have a work commissioned by the JSO. It will be premiered in the 2009-10 season. Paul Richards, winner of Fresh Ink 2002, will serve as guest composer and mentor. Richards is associate professor of composition at the University of Florida. His music will also be featured in the Fresh Ink Final Concert.
The pre-concert Contemporary Art Expo at 6 p.m. precedes the Fresh Ink Final Concert, featuring spoken word artist Al Letson, musical guests Micah’s Mind and the UNF Percussion Ensemble, visual art by Kim Barry, and films by the Jacksonville University Film Department and Somebody Call an Ambulance Productions.
“There is no other forum for contemporary Florida composers to have their work known to the general public and to the industry as a whole. Contrary to the days of yore, composers today have little chance to hear their music and therefore they cannot have a full evaluation of their effectiveness until after a possible performance,” said Mechetti. “Composers need to express themselves regardless of the perceptions out there. The reality is that there is a lot of symphonic music being written that deserves to be heard. It is our mission and responsibility to allow that to happen.”
Fresh Ink events take place at the Times-Union Center while the Reading Sessions and Final Concert are in Jacoby Symphony Hall. The Pre-concert Contemporary Art Expo is in the Davis Gallery. Admission is free for the Reading Sessions. Tickets for the final concert are $15 for general admission. Fresh Ink is also part of the First Wednesday Downtown Art Walk sponsored by Downtown Vision, Inc. Art Walk participants can show their Art Walk flier at the JSO box office and receive a free ticket.