Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra Launches Composer-In-Residence Program

Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra (CCCO), the region's newest professional orchestra, announces the launch of a Composer-In-Residence program, now accepting applications for its 2019-20 season. CCCO is nearly halfway through its inaugural performance season under the leadership of founding music director/conductor Dr. Matthew Scinto. CCCO champions living composers, an initiative at the forefront of the orchestra's mission, bringing audiences closer to the music of modern time, positioned as an essential and educational element to each program.

Cape Cod Chamber orchestra was born in 2017 with a mission for artistic integrity and excellence. Founding music director/conductor Scinto has a vision for the future of classical music on Cape Cod; by collaborating with local Cape individuals, arts organizations, and local causes, the orchestra aims to create a unique concert experience while providing high quality, enriching, and memorable orchestral music. The Orchestra, a 501c3 non-profit organization, was created in part to feature young artists, performers, soloists, and composers in about five annual concert programs to promote the future leaders of classical music. CCCO consists of professional musicians from across New England with a vision to create more collaborative programs for the Cape community.

"This opportunity for young composers to work closely with the Cape Cod community in developing original music speaks directly to the CCCO's mission to champion new music. I am quite proud of our current composer-in-residence Francis Snyder for all his hard work already this year, and for the overwhelming support and love for his creative vision. It is a beautiful aspect of my job that I have watched unfold and am happy to continue to offer this program to a different composer each year", shares Dr. Scinto.

It is the mission of the orchestra to champion young composers and develop programs that fuel them creatively and give back to the Cape Cod community. The Composer-in-Residence has the ability to work closely with the orchestra, develop themselves professionally, commission two works for the 2019-20 season, and gain materials to help further their careers in this creative space.

For its inaugural season, CCCO featured the talents of Composer-in-Residence Francis Snyder in the initial role. He describes his experience as amongst the best of his career. "The creative freedom given as the composer is immense!" shares Snyder. "Matt initiates interdisciplinary collaborations that are truly rewarding and creatively interesting. The community surrounding the orchestra is incredibly warm and supportive. I found them very open and willing to engage with music being written today. I'm so pleased the orchestra has made the decision to launch this opportunity as an annual program."

Features of CCCO's residency program include the opportunity to commission two works for chamber orchestra developed in partnership with founding music director/conductor Scinto and a local organization or individual. The orchestra aims to develop programs with local causes with a goal to create a diversified and unique concert experience. As an example, during its 2018-19 season, CCCO's commissions included local poet Judy Askew, the Edward Gorey House, the Guild of Harwich Artists, and students from Monomoy Regional High School. Professional development enrichment includes professional photos, video and recordings; resume building, material preparation, interviews, and pre-concert speaking engagements. The program includes a stipend for each commission and travel, as well as housing if necessary, on Cape Cod.

Interested applicants should apply no later than February 1, 2019 at 12 noon online at www.getacceptd.com/capecodchamberorchestra. Candidates selected for a second-tier interview will be contacted by March, the final selection for the position will be made by April, with the winning candidate announcement soon to follow.

For more information about Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra's programs, performances and musicians, visit www.capecodchamberorchestra.org, email info@capecodchamberorchestra.org, or follow Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra on Facebook and Instagram.

Matthew Scinto is an emerging conductor based in Cape Cod, where he currently serves as the Assistant Conductor of the Boston Civic Symphony under Music Director Francisco Noya. Mr. Scinto received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from Boston University, where he was a student of Stefan Asbury and David Hoose and twice received the Conducting Department Award for Excellence in Conducting. Mr. Scinto has studied conducting at the prestigious Tanglewood Music Center, and was invited back again in July 2018. While at Boston University, Mr. Scinto served as the Assistant Conductor of the Boston University Symphony, Chamber, and Opera Orchestras where he covered and conducted in numerous concerts and opera productions, including Boston University's recent production of Le Nozze di Figaro in 2017. Matthew Scinto has worked with conductors Bramwell Tovey, Ken-David Masur, Stefan Asbury, Diane Wittry, Daniel Hege, Marin Alsop, David Effron, and Markand Thakar. He has conducted such orchestras as the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Symphoria, the New Haven Civic Orchestra, the Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra, the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras, the Indian Hill Sinfonia, the Miami Music Festival Orchestra, the Syracuse University Symphony, and the Boston University Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.

Committed to artistic integrity and excellence, the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra's mission is to connect the diverse arts communities and individuals of Cape Cod inclusively. By collaborating with other disciplines of art and culture, the Orchestra aims to create unique concert experiences while providing exciting, enriching and memorable orchestral music. Featuring living composers is at the forefront of the orchestra's mission; bringing audiences closer to the music of modern time, positioned as an essential and educational element to each performance program. Other repertoire champions the works of living composers, as well as the music of the classical canon. Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra is a 501c3 non-profit organization. For more information visit www.capecodchamberorchestra.org, email info@capecodchamberorchestra.org, or follow Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo Credit: Jean Kirby Photography