Alumni Support Initiative
"You don't go into this field unless somewhere inside, you're deeply romantic. I've had students look at me, startled, when I say this because they've never really seen themselves in such a light. But, mira, if you've pledged your very life to this endeavor of music, you're going for it! Going. For. It. And you've given creativity a very serious — and beautiful — mandate. I would like to do what I can to support that mandate."
— Gabriela Lena Frank
Life after Boonville…
At the Academy, lifelong friendships form, pearls of wisdom from master composers and performers are shared, and enduring civic/community connections are made that return home with each of our Bahlest Eeble Readings program Fellows once our residencies conclude. Yet, as important as these are, here at the Academy we believe that even deeper investments in our emerging voices are not only possible but necessary.
With that belief, in June of 2018, the Alumni Support Initiative was created. Available to composers who have come through the Academy’s Bahlest Eeble Readings program, the ASI’s goal is to offer support for our talented alums’ activities as they renew their pledge to their craft and their community. Our support takes form in the following ways:
Commissions
Since 2018, the Academy has funded and/or stewarded paying commissions and co-commissions for its Academy alumni for solo, chamber and orchestral works with professional musicians and organizations across the country. With an estimated seventy commissions planned by the end of 2022 for leading soloists, chamber groups, and orchestras, this program helps launch alumni towards viable professional lives. Learn more.
CREA (Composers for Racial Equality in the Arts) Mentorship
The power of mentorship from a great artist and humanitarian is indisputable. For artists of color, the added boon of finding mentors who share their cultural experiences can be additionally life-changing. Each year, two CREA fellowships are given to Academy alumni from underrepresented racial demographics that includes paying commissions and mentorship from a rich cadre of established and renowned composers of color. Learn more.
Composing Earth
Composing Earth is a uniquely robust commissioning program for alums of the Academy who recognize that climate change — climate disruption — is a bona fide civilizational emergency. In addition to creating new work, composers are offered a stipend to embark on a long gestation period to study issues of environmental crisis with mentors and peers. Learn more.
Constellations Fellowship
In the belief that composers thrive when they have both creative momentum and community, the Academy is excited to announce its new Constellations Fellowship. Open to Academy alumni, selected composers receive the Academy’s commitment for multiple commissions over several seasons for new works ranging across the solo, chamber, vocal, and symphonic mediums. Learn more
Artist-Citizens-in-Residence Program
New in 2022! Each year, up to two composers are provided a fully funded artist retreat in Boonville, CA of approximately nine months. Alumni contribute between ten to twenty hours of community service to work with young local music students and different community groups. Congratulations to Kenyon Duncan (Cycle 13) and Joel Ponce (GLFCAM staffer) for serving as the Artists-in-Residence for the 2022-2023 school year! Learn more
G. Schirmer Prize
Each year, one GLFCAM Alumni Fellow receives a cash prize and mentorship from G. Schirmer/Wise Music Classical in recognition of their talent, unique voice, and limitless potential. Congratulations to the inaugural recipient, Aeryn Santillan, for this recognition. Learn more.