ABOUT THE COMPOSER AND HIS MUSIC

Sekhon’s music represents a wide range of experiences and influences. His background in orchestral, popular, and world musics contribute equally to his compositional voice and his interest in modern theory and compositional techniques inform his compositional process. The rhythmic nature and harmonic language of the sample works below are aligned with the direction that this new work will explore.

“Clearly knowing the power of sonority” (Philadelphia Inquirer), the music of Baljinder Sekhon is frequently presented around the world. Performances of Sekhon’s music have included those in Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, France, Sweden, Canada, The Netherlands, Taiwan, Norway, China, South Korea, Japan, and across the United States. From works for large ensemble to solo works to electronic music, Sekhon’s demonstrate a wide range of interests and styles. In February of 2013, Sekhon received his Carnegie Hall debut when the University of South Florida Chamber Singers, directed by James Bass, premiered his a cappella choral work There Are No Words. His recent orchestral work The Offering is a 22-minute, three-movement concerto for saxophone and orchestra that received its premiere by saxophonist Doug O’Connor and the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra in July 2011. Another recent orchestral work, Ancient Dust, was premiered at the Cabrillo Festival for Contemporary Music where it was described as “still and mysterious, animated, haunting and peaceful” by the Epoch Times. In 2009, Sekhon composed a voice and chamber orchestra work for Grammy-nominated soprano Tony Arnold. Musica Nova premiered the resulting work, Post, under the direction of acclaimed conductor Brad Lubman. Additional platforms for the performance of Sekhon’s music have included the Seoul Arts Center, National Orchestra Institute, The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, the Paris Conservatory, MATA’s Interval Series, New World Symphony’s Musician Forum Series, the World Saxophone Congress, International Viola Congress, Juventas New Music Ensemble, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Bang On a Can Festival, and a full concert of his works at John Zorn’s contemporary art space The Stone. Several commercial recordings of Sekhon’s music have been released, including two by the McCormick Percussion Group (USA), a recording of Drifting Seeds by the Couloir Duo (Canada), Bunker by the Evolution Duo (Netherlands), and an upcoming release by the Juventas New Music Ensemble on New Dynamic Records. Sheet music of Sekhon’s works is available internationally from Keyboard Percussion Publications, Glass Tree Press, Steve Weiss Music, Le Vent Music (Taiwan), and Southern Percussion (UK).

Sekhon serves on the composition faculty at the University of South Florida and holds a PhD from the Eastman School of Music where he is a three-time recipient of the Howard Hanson Orchestral prize and served as president of the highly acclaimed OSSIA New Music Ensemble. Additional honors include the Wayne Brewster Barlow Prize, New Music USA’s Composer Assistance Grant, Audio Inversions, Percussive Arts Society Composition Competition, Brian M. Israel Prize, Boehmler Foundation Commission, Met Life Creative Connections Grant, Belle Gitelman Prize, Barbara B. Smith Prize, multiple awards from ASCAP including the Morton Gould Young Composer Award (2006), and he was named the MTNA/FSMTA Commissioned Composer of 2012. His numerous appearances as a percussionist include those at the L.A. Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella Series in Walt Disney Hall, Festival Spazio Musica in Cagliari, Italy, and at the Bang On a Can Marathon in New York City.

“Honest and energy packed.” -Austin-American Statesman (2008), Line Upon Line performance of LOU

“Still, mysterious, animated, haunting, and peaceful” -Epoch Times (2009), Cabrillo Orchestra performance of Ancient Dust

“Clearly knowing the power of sonority.” -Philadelphia Inquirerer (2010), Doug O’Connor and Michael Mizrahi’s performance of Gradient

“Loaded with intensity.” -El Economista (2010), Eastman BroadBand’s performance of Fanfare

“Full of Magic and Charm.” -Kathodic (2012), McCormick Percussion Group’s recording of LOU

SAMPLE COMPOSITIONS

CONSORTIUM DETAILS

DURATION:
15-20 minutes (3 movements)

INSTRUMENTATION:
Alto saxophone and piano

DIFFICULTY:
Saxophone and piano parts will be written with professional performers in mind.

PERFORMANCE RIGHTS:
Territories are unlocked to other member performances after premiere performances or December 1st, 2016. Sponsors/performers collectively will have exclusive performance rights until June 1st, 2017, in addition to their respective locale premieres. After that date, the score will be available to the public.

RECORDING RIGHTS:
All members of the consortium will have the mechanical license fee waived, should they wish to record the new work commercially or independently.

HOW TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE MAP

While participation in Global Premiere is currently by invitation, we encourage those who have not received an invitation but are interested in being involved to apply using the contact form. This includes composers, performers of all instruments, and sponsors. Invitation emails include a PayPal link to secure a premiere.