Upcoming Events
Cascadia Composers celebrates the music of living composers through a diverse array of concerts, presentations, and workshops. Visit the All Event Offerings page for more details.
So Let it Be…
David S. Bernstein was tireless in pursuit of his vision: a collaborative group of composers with diverse music styles that would serve our communities here in the Pacific Northwest. This concert will celebrate the inspiring life and music of Cascadia’s leading co-founder. As David liked to say, usually with just a hint of a grin, “so let it be done!”
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January Composer Insights : The craft of transcription is all about dexterity
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
Presenter: Mark Vigil
Topic: I will present 1st my octet “Wildflowers” (1993) for various instruments and then secondly I will present my “Wildflowers2” (2024) a transcription of my octet for concert band.
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Beethoven Reimagined
Beethoven Reimagined features one of the most ambitious works ever conceived for the string quartet: Beethoven’s Op. 130. The heartbreaking Cavatina moved Beethoven to tears as he was composing it, and the 15 minute Grosse Fuge finale was so challenging to audiences that Beethoven published his quartet with an alternative ending. The first half of this program features short new works inspired by Beethoven’s remarkable quartet, from a collaborative call-for-scores with Cascadia Composers.
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December Composer Insights : Using plugins in Dorico and Sibelius.
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
Mark Pritchard
Topic: Using plugins in Dorico and Sibelius.
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Fearless Lieder
Schubert and Goethe, Weill and Brecht, Gershwin and Gershwin… as these composers gave voice to their poet-collaborators’ words, Cascadia’s member composers’ music gives voice to the fearless poetry of four Oregon Poets Laureate—Kim Stafford, Elizabeth Woody, Paulann Petersen, and Lawson Inada. That and a special appearance by current laureate Ellen Waterston will make this unforgettable evening a celebration of our Pacific Northwest.
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Fearless Lieder Preview at Waterstone Gallery
On November 14th, our friends at Waterstone Gallery will host a concert preview. At 6pm, there will be a one hour program featuring performances from the Fearless Lieder concert, and former Oregon Poet Laureate Paulann Petersen will make a special appearance. Gallery artists will also be in attendance to discuss their works. Doors open at 5pm. Free admission.
November Composer Insights : Writing for the Horn, and Horn Ensembles
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
Topic: Writing for the horn, and horn ensemble
David Jones
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Deep Listening Gathering
All members and the public are invited to our monthly session of Deep Listening. We will start with a sonic meditation on the sounds of the environment, followed by a series of text-scores which we will perform together. The gathering will last approximately 90 minutes. To find out more about Deep Listening check out https://www.deeplistening.rpi.edu/deep-listening/.
If you like, please support these Gatherings (mostly the cost of the venue) by contributing here, selecting Deep Listening Gathering from the donation use menu.
Quiltings : The Music of Walter Saul
Our 2024-25 season begins with a singular evening, combining the evocative music of Walter Saul with the stunning fabric art of North Carolina artist Ann Harwell. Saul’s music, by turns playful and joyful, and somber and reflective, brings to life the stories behind Harwell’s art, from grand natural scenery to the delicate intimacy of flowers, from a Lunar Eclipse on our doorstep, out to the Butterfly Nebula, many light years distant. The music, alone, would be an inspiring experience, but combined with the art quilts projected on a large screen, this will be a journey not to be missed.
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October Composer Insights : Composition Software Roundtable
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
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September Composer Insights : Arnold Schoenberg’s Solo Piano Works
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
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In Good Hands 2024
Talented young Oregon students perform a fabulous smorgasbord of works by Cascadia Composers in this 13th annual celebration of new music, including works specially written in collaboration with individual students by our composer members. This event forges new paths to the future of art music by bringing teachers, composers and gifted young performers together to learn, create and inspire each other and their audiences. Admission is free!
Deep Listening June
All members and the public are invited to our monthly session of Deep Listening. We will start with a sonic meditation on the sounds of the environment, followed by a series of text-scores which we will perform together. The gathering will last approximately 90 minutes. To find out more about Deep Listening check out https://www.deeplistening.rpi.edu/deep-listening/.
June Composer Insights : Steven P. James Master’s Thesis
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
May Composer Insights : Sarah Jordan’s Composition Dissertation - POSTPONED
Please view event for details.
May the Fourth be With You!
Enjoy exciting new music by the extraordinary Jedi composers of Cascadia, performed by the Chameleon Winds quintet and outstanding local pianists. Concert is ON, please use Broadway entrance.
Northwest Voices
The Choral Arts Ensemble of Portland closes its 55th season with Northwest Voices. Continuing their long-running collaboration with Cascadia Composers, these concerts will feature choral music composed by local and regional composers, including Dawn Sonntag, Sydney Guillaume, Tomáš Svoboda and Northwest native Morten Lauridsen’s complete Madrigali: Six Fire Songs on Italian Renaissance Poems.
Northwest Voices
The Choral Arts Ensemble of Portland closes its 55th season with Northwest Voices. Continuing their long-running collaboration with Cascadia Composers, these concerts will feature choral music composed by local and regional composers, including Dawn Sonntag, Sydney Guillaume, Tomáš Svoboda and Northwest native Morten Lauridsen’s complete Madrigali: Six Fire Songs on Italian Renaissance Poems.
Deep Listening Gathering
All members and the public are invited to our first session of Deep Listening. We will start with a sonic meditation on the sounds of the environment, followed by a series of text-scores which we will perform together. The gathering will last approximately 90 minutes. To find out more about Deep Listening check out https://www.deeplistening.rpi.edu/deep-listening/.
Mabuhay! -A Celebration of Filipino People, Music, Language, and Culture
Embark on a journey of unique sounds and songs from the islands of the Philippines. Join us as we celebrate the joyful, resilient spirit of the Filipino community here in Oregon and throughout the world. All proceeds from this concert will be donated to the Filipino Bayanihan Center.
April Presentation
Free and open to the public!
Paul Safar presents his recent collaborative compositions and answers questions.
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
Blackout 24 24
Prepare to immerse yourself in a whole different kind of concert experience! .Blackout 24 24 is a mix of new electronic and acoustic soundscapes nestled totally in the dark, except for an occasional visual surprise. The darkness is a sound architect where the perception of music and our imagination intertwine! Hear compositions specially crafted for a low/no light environment, with performers weaving throughout this wonderfully interactive space, playing with the audience's perception in novel and unexpected ways. Featuring works by Dinah Bianchi, Daniel Brugh, David Jones, Brian Magill, Timothy Arliss O'Brien, Paul Safar, Greg Steinke, Kirsten Volness, Jennifer Wright & Gentle Heresy (Nicholas Yandell & Tristan Bliss)!
February Presentation
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
Please join us as Gary Lloyd Noland presents his new CD “Alexander Theroux Songs & Musical Portrait” and answers questions.
Cycles of Life
SOLD OUT! A second performance of Cycles of Life, musically exploring the experiences and emotions that we encounter as we navigate the path of life within an intimate house setting.
Cycles of Life
SOLD OUT! Music for voice and piano together and in solos, exploring the experiences and emotions that we encounter as we navigate the path of life. Mezzo-soprano, Lisa Neher, and Pianist, Dianne Davies share a concert with all their own original compositions. Enjoy new music performed by the composers in an intimate setting of a house concert in West Linn with wine and hors d’oeuvres.
January Presentation
Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST
Join us as Mark Vigil shares his recently completed second symphony….
Mark: “It’s in five movements and lasts approximately thirty-three minutes. It’s scored for full winds, brass, percussion, harp, piano and strings (12,12,10,6,2).
I would never profess that my music represents the cutting edge (not interested) nor would I confess that it is ‘old school’ or conservative-ish (not interested). I only wish and strive for my music to be artful, relevant and meaningful to me.”
December Presentation
Join us for a series of presentations by our members — Free and open to the public!
Social Time: ~7:15PM (PST)
Presentation Time: 7:30-9:00PM
In this December presentation, composers Adrienne Albert and Texu Kim will share insights on composing for orchestra. Attendees are invited to ask questions of their own! Since time is limited, we will attempt to limit questions and discussions accordingly.
Yuletide: From the Pacific Northwest
A second performance of Yuletide: From the Pacific Northwest.
Yuletide: From the Pacific Northwest
Continuing their long-running collaboration with Cascadia Composers, the Choral Arts Ensemble of Portland is proud to present Yuletide: From the Pacific Northwest. These concerts feature a special focus on seasonal music by local and regional composers, including world premiere performances, along with traditional carols and treasured choral classics to celebrate the season.
In Good Hands: Video Release
The complete video of the In Good Hands concert from July 2023 will be publicly released on the Cascadia Composers YouTube this December 3, 2023, showcasing talented young Oregon students in this 12th annual celebration of new music. They perform a fabulous smorgasbord of works by Cascadia Composers including works specially written in collaboration with individual students by our composer members. The video also adds several works not presented in July, which were recorded at the time by request for online release.