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School of Music

BYU Barlow Endowment for Music Composition announces 2019 award recipients

Nearly $100,000 was granted by the endowment to more than a dozen composers

Nearly $100,000 was granted by the endowment to more than a dozen composers The BYU Barlow Endowment for Music Composition recently announced commission winners for 2019, including the Barlow Prize recipient and 15 additional composers who were awarded through the endowment’s commissioning programs.

“The endowment’s board of directors and board of advisors work hard to realize the vision we all share with the Barlow: to provide critical support for composers with the skills to write powerful music,” said Ethan Wickman, executive director of the Barlow Endowment. Bekah Simms of Toronto, Ontario, Canada received the $12,000 Barlow Prize to compose an original work for Pierrot ensemble including percussion and electronics. The work will be performed in 2021 by a group of ensembles: Crash Ensemble, Eighth Blackbird and the New York New Music Ensemble. The judging panel reviewed 276 submissions from 28 countries before making its decision. In addition, $87,000 was granted to 15 composers who will write works for various ensembles, including the Salt Lake Symphony. Nearly 200 applicants were considered for the endowment’s General and Latter-day Saint commissioning programs. “We hope that Barlow commissions create financial security for composers seeking time and space to make their best work,” Wickman said. “We also hope that the rigorous selection process gives successful commission winners an empowering vote of confidence from their peers that vet the submissions on the advisory board.” Details for the 2020 competitions will be available on the Barlow Endowment website and Facebook page in coming months.