Visiting Composer Series

These visits coincide with performances of the composers' works by CCM resident soloists and ensembles and/or the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Vocal Arts Ensemble and other Cincinnati performing arts organizations. Composers discuss a range of topics with students, faculty and the public, including the position of the composer in contemporary society, the future of new music, the relationship between music and culture and the challenge of reaching audiences, along with whatever else is on their minds.

Past guests have included such distinguished composers as John Adams, Samuel Adler, William Bolcom, Elliott Carter, George Crumb, Philip Glass, Jennifer Higdon, Karel Husa, Aaron Jay Kernis, Krzysztof Penderecki, Bernard Rands, Frederick Rzewski, Joseph Schwantner, Sir Michael Tippett and many others. In addition, the Visiting Composers series also invites prominent performers of new music to give concerts and/or conduct reading sessions of students' works, often in conjunction with composers with whom they have collaborated.

CCM hosted visiting composers and guest artist ensembles from five countries in 2021-22 as part of the Alexander Prize for Composition Event Series. The visiting composers included:

• Carl Vine (Australia) Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney | Sept. 27-Oct. 1, 2021
• Missy Mazzoli (US) The New School, Mannes School of Music | Nov. 16-19, 2021
• Aya Yoshida (Japan/Netherlands) Winner of the 2019 Alexander Zemlinsky Prize for Composition | Nov. 28-Dec. 6, 2021
• Iris ter Schiphorst (Austria) University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna | Feb. 22-25, 2022
• Colin Matthews (England) Prince Consort Professor of Music, Royal College of Music, London | March 8-11, 2022

View the below list of selected guests who have participated in the Visiting Composers Series since its inception: