Society for New Music


The Society for New Music is a contemporary classical music organization based in Syracuse, New York. SNM presents concerts devoted entirely to contemporary music, funds commissions, produces recordings and presents awards to young composers.

History

SNM was founded in 1971 by Neva Pilgrim with the main purpose of promoting contemporary music in the Central New York Region.

Mission and Work

SNM commissions new works, and advocates for composers through Society News and via their radio show, Fresh Ink on WCNY-FM. SNM provides regional musicians with opportunities to perform music by their peers. Works are offered on television, radio, and live performances.

Commissions

Since its inception, SNM has commissioned new works by over fifty composers from the Central New York region, including faculty from Syracuse University, the Eastman School of Music, Cornell University, and many other schools in the area. Many of the composers have won significant awards, such as the Pulitzer Prize in music.

Recordings

The Society for New Music has released recordings on a variety of labels, including Innova Recordings, Composers Recordings, Inc. and Mode Records. SNM's "American Masters for the 21st Century" on Innova currently includes five albums dedicated to music by living American composers.

Brian Israel Prize

Since 1985, SNM has awarded prizes to composers under age 30. The annual award honors the memory of American composer Brian Israel "who died of leukemia at the age of 35 in 1986. He was on Syracuse University's School of Music faculty at the time of his death. During his short life, Israel championed gifted emerging composers." Winners receive performances of a chamber work, either of the work that won the award, or a different work.

Brian Israel Prize Winners and Honorable Mentions

Winners: Daniel Reza Sabzghabaei, Benjamin Rieke Honorable Mention: Johnny Macmillan, Talia Berenbaum, Arjan Singh DograWinners: Julian Bennett Holmes, Paul Edward Frucht Honorable Mention: Tomek Arnold, Flannery Cunningham, Jonathan Rainous, Zoe Yucong WangWinners: Jack Freyer, Saad Haddad Honorable Mention: Douglas Hertz, Noah Kahrs, Michael SeltenreichWinners: Alex Stephenson, Simon Frisch Honorable Mention: James BudinichWinners: Ryan Chase, Kaito Nakahori, Honorable Mentions: Charles Peck, Zachary SheetsWinners: Alex Burtzos, Scott Etan Feiner ; Honorable Mentions: Bin David Li, J. P. Redmond
  • Winners: John Liberatore, Michael Boyman ; Honorable Mentions: JunYi Chow, Ross Scott Griffey
  • Winners: Juan Pablo Contreras, Amit Menahem Gilutz ; Honorable Mentions: Eric Allen, Ross Scott Griffey, Nathan HeidelbergerWinners: Ted Goldman, Joseph Nathaniel Rubinstein ; Honorable Mentions: Amit Menahem Gilutz, Justin Paul Jaramillo, Brandon Luis Ridenour, Harry StafylakisWinners: Thomas H. Healy, Bret Bohman ; Honorable Mentions: Evan Antonellis, Thomas Arthur Murphy, Jessica Lynn RudmanWinners: Michael Gilbertson, Chris Rogerson ; Honorable Mentions: Evan Antonellis, Lembit Lepasaar BeecherWinners: David Crowell, Samson Young ; Honorable Mention: Evan Antonellis, Matthew Barson, Elizabeth LimWinners: Baljinder Singh Sekhon, Eleanor Aversa, Andy Akiho ; Honorable Mentions: Dillon Kondor, Gity Razaz, David Salvage, Sheridan Seyfried, Sundar Subramanian, Daniel Wohl, Scott Wollschleger
  • : Winners: Nicholas Omiccioli, Eric Nathan ; Honorable Mentions: Eleanor Aversa, Ryan Carter, Jeff Myers, Gity Razaz, Shogo Samata
  • : Winners: Christopher Doll, Ryan Gallagher ; Honorable Mentions: John Paul Brabant, Chris Rogerson, Robert SingleyWinners: Patrick Castillo, Eric Schwartz ; Honorable Mention: Christopher TignorWinners: Adam Schoenberg, Jesse Wright-Fitzgerald ; Honorable Mentions: John Arrigo-Nelson, Vera Ivanova, Peter KimWinners: Evan Johnson, Philip Rothman Winner: Huang RuoWinner: Winnie Wing-Yee Cheung Winner: Mark Dennis McConnell Winner: Robert PatersonWinner: Damon LeeWinner: Derek Bermel; Honorable Mention: Ann Lathan KerznerWinner: Yuzuru Sadashige Winner: Anna WeesnerWinner: Michael Sidney TimpsonWinner: Sally Lamb McCune; Honorable Mention: David LefkowitzWinner: Michele Frida Green; Honorable Mention: David LefkowitzWinner: Kent Marks; Honorable Mention: Nolan GasserWinner: Alton Howe Clingan; Honorable Mention: Sean MacLeanWinner: Betsy L. Schramm; Honorable Mention: Stephen TaylorWinner: Ronn YedidiaWinner: Christopher Keyes; Honorable Mention: Jeremy Beck, Robert C. MayWinner: Donald Sloan; Honorable Mention: Linda Bouchard, Lowell LiebermannWinner: Matthew Harris; Honorable Mention: Dan May, Michael Torke