Past Grant Winners
WPA Performance Grants Recipents (2024-2026)
Boston Landmarks Orchestra offers free outdoor concerts throughout the summer, consistently featuring music by women and BIPOC composers. In 2023, this included the monumentally important “Seen-Unseen: The Symphonic Legacy of Black American Women.” Music Director Christopher Wilkins shares the podium with young guest conductors and the orchestra offers robust music classes for young people.
Denver Young Artists Orchestra is led by Music Director Wilbur Lin, who is committed to reinvigorating and re-energizing the orchestral tradition. DYAO are committed to diverse programming on every program, as well as to including offbeat selections by well-known composers. The young musicians of the three orchestras of the DYAO Association are excited by their role in pioneering (re)discoveries and righting historic injustices, as well as by the musical excellence of their performances.
Horizon Ensemble, a community orchestra founded in Boston in 2021, programs new and recent music by young composers alongside historic rediscoveries and other adventurous works of the past. All of their concerts stream live and are available on their YouTube channel. Founder and Music Director Julian Gau creates a welcoming environment, with interactive concerts and “Pay what you want” pricing.
Seattle Philharmonic, a community orchestra, is dedicated to illuminating both hidden historic gems and recent works, with the aim always to present the best possible music, familiar and unfamiliar. For instance, Music Director Adam Stern has championed composer Ruth Gipps (1921–1999), giving US premieres of several of her works, and a recent concert included the violin concerto by Serbian Isidora Žebeljan, her final work before her death at age 54 in 2020.
Worthington Chamber Orchestra, with Music Director Dr. Antoine T. Clark, places a mission-based emphasis on supporting unjustly neglected and overlooked repertoire in addition to programming new works, for instance by Jessie Montgomery and Korine Fujiwara, and the US premiere of a work by composer Ljubica Marić (1909-2003). The orchestra engages with the community through a range of educational initiatives.
WPA Performance Grants Recipents (2023-2025)
The Akron Symphony Orchestra has engaged in a monumental project of uncovering the music of composer Julia Perry (1924-1979) who lived much of her life in Akron. By revealing and performing this amazing “hidden figure,” they emphasize that Black Lives do indeed Matter, a realization that is bound to have waves of positive impact on the entire community.
The Portland Youth Philharmonic has an impressive record of programming large-scale works by women, such as their performance of Amy Beach’s Symphony in E minor op. 32 (Gaelic). In the past five years PYP has programmed five major symphonic works by women as the primary centerpiece of the concert. A pandemic project was an innovative commissioning program of 30 new works by people of color and women for small ensembles that could be performed and recorded remotely.
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras have an impressive commitment to a diverse range of repertoire, including historic rarities such as Emilie Mayer: Symphony No. 7 in F Minor, I. Allegro agitato (1856) – Mayer’s music is just beginning to be discovered in the U.S. They also have a strong program of performing new works and commissions and performed the Midwest premiere of Vivian Fung’s Trumpet Concerto, a work written for alum Mary Elizabeth Bowden.
Chamber Orchestra of the Springs will be celebrating their 40th season in 2023-24, and have shown a deep commitment to diverse repertoire throughout their history. In addition to programming at least one historic or contemporary work by a woman per concert, the organization is committed to accessible programming, offering a “pay what you can” model, to remove the financial barrier to accessing great music.
Seattle Collaborative Orchestra offers a new model for what orchestral ensembles can be – diverse, multigenerational, and an educational opportunity for seasoned professionals as well as those early in their careers. Founded by conductor Dr. Anna Edwards in response to the lack of diversity in repertoire and in musicians, the ensemble regularly features works by up-and-coming composers, works by underrepresented historic composers, and promotes diversity and equity in all aspects of the organization.
2017
Bay Area Rainbow Symphony
-Clarice Assad: Scattered: Concerto for Scat Singing, Piano, and Orchestra
-Mary Watkins: Five Movements in Color
Boston Landmarks Orchestra
-Amy Beach: Symphony in E Minor, op. 32 (Gaelic)
-Peggy Stuart Coolidge: The Blue Planet
Burlington Chamber Orchestra
-Mel Bonis: Suite en forme de valses
-Fanny Mendelssohn: String Quartet (arr. for String Orchestra)
Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
-Clarice Assad: Percussion Concerto
-Gabriella Smith: [TBD]
California Chamber Orchestra
-Jennifer Higdon: Dance Card
Chicago Composers Orchestra
-Beth Bradfish: Fanfare for Orchestra, Electronics, and Audience Participation
-Tomeka Reid: [New Work]
DuPage Symphony Orchestra
-Florence Price: Mississippi River Suite
-Augusta Read Thomas: [New Work]
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra
-Nancy Bloomer Deussen: American Hymn
National String Symphonia
-Nancy Bloomer Deussen: Peninsula Suite
-Elena Ruehr: Cloud Atlas
New York Classical Players
-Dobrinka Tabakova: Fantasy Homage to Schubert
Oakland Symphony
-Jennifer Higdon: Blue Cathedral
-Florence Price: Dances in the Canebrake
Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra
-Ruth Gipps: Symphony No. 2
-Helvi Leiviska: [TBD]
Seattle Collaborative Orchestra
-Amy Beach: Symphony in E Minor, op. 32 (Gaelic)
The Dream Unfinished
-Teresa Carreño: Andante con larghezzo
Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra
-Anna Clyne: Within Her Arms
-Jennifer Jolley: Spielzeug Strassenbahn
2016
American Composer’s Orchestra
-Paola Prestini: The Hotel that Time Forgot
-Nina Young: Out of whose womb came the ice
Atlantic Youth Orchestra
-Clara Schumann: Scherzo for Orchestra
Bay Area Rainbow Symphony
-Elfrida Andree: Concerto Overture in D Major
-Laura Karpman: Siren Songs
Bangor Symphony Orchestra
-Amy Beach: Symphony in E Minor, op. 32 (Gaelic)
-Fanny Mendelssohn:Overture in C
Bar Harbor Festival String Orchestra
-Rebecca Clarke: Poem for String Quartet (arr. J. Ellenberger)
-Maddalena Lombardini Sirmen: Two Movements for String Orchestra
Boston Landmarks Orchestra
-Stella Sung: Sonic Seascapes
Chamber Orchestra of the Springs
-Fanny Mendelssohn: Overture in C
Chicago Sinfonietta
-Jennifer Higdon: Dance Card
-Florence Price: Dances in the Canebrakes
Community Women’s Orchestra
June Bonacich: [New Work]
Cincinnati Soundbox Orchestra
-Cristina Spinei: Concerto for Clarinet
-Rachel C. Walker: Spirea
Denver Young Artists Orchestra
-Susan Day: Flight
-Hilary Tann: The Open Field
Ensemble Tremblay
-Ruth Crawford Seeger: Andante for Strings
-Peggy Glanville-Hicks: Gymnopedie No. 1 for Strings, Harp, and Oboe
Eastern Connecticut Symphony
-Hannah Lash: This Ease
-Peggy Stuart Coolidge: New England Autumn
Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra
-Fanny Mendelssohn: Overture in C
-Clara Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7
Georgia Tech Symphony Orchestra
-Jennifer Higdon: Oboe Concerto
-Clara Schumann: Konzertsatz in F Minor
Intersection
-Wu Fei: [New Work]
Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra
-Carmen Mateiescu: Youth Without Dream
Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra
-Louise Farrenc: Symphony No. 3
Orchestra of the League of Composers
-Lisa Beilawa: The Right Weather: Start
-Shree Clement: Stories I Cannot Tell You
National String Symphonia
-Pamela Harrison: A Suite for Timothy
North/South Chamber Orchestra
–Lan-In Winnie Yang: Transfiguration
-Margarita Zelenaia: I Believe
Prometheus Symphony Orchestra
-Elizabeth Maconchy: Two Dances from Puck Fair
-Louise Talma: Toccata for Orchestra
Portland Youth Philharmonic
-Debra Kaye: IKARUS
Rogue Valley Symphony
–I’lana Cotton: Cantus
Sonnambula
-Leonora Durate: Sinfonia
Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra
-Amanda Harberg: Prayer
Stockton Symphony
-Fanny Mendelssohn: Overture in C
-Thea Musgrave: Rainbow
Symphony Number One
–Carolyn Chen: [TBD]
–Karena Ingram: [TBD]
Symphony Orchestra Augusta
-Amy Beach: Symphony in E Minor, op. 32 (Gaelic)
-Nadia Boulanger: Fantasme pour piano et orchestre
Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra
-Doreen Carwithen: Suffolk Suite
-Florence Price: Symphony No. 1
Willamette Falls Symphony
-Margaret Brouwer: Pluto and Stardance
Westminster Community Orchestra
-Amy Beach: Symphony in E Minor, op. 32 (Gaelic)
2015
American Composers Orchestra
-Reena Esmail: [New Work]
-Gitty Raz: Metamorphosis of Narcissus
Alabama Symphony Orchestra
-Missy Mazzoli: Holly Roller
Bay Area Rainbow Symphony
-Louise Farrenc: Overture for Orchestra, No. 1, op. 23, in E minor
-Jennifer Higdon: Dooryard Bloom
Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra
-Louise Farrenc: Overture for Orchestra, No. 1, op. 23, in E minor
Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
-Anna Clyne: Rift
Central Ohio Symphony
-Joan Tower: Flute Concerto
Chicago Composers Orchestra
-Olivia Block: [New Work]
-Kathleen Ginther: [New Work]
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras
-Lili Boulanger: D’un main de printemps
-Lili Boulanger: D’un soir triste
Community Women’s Orchestra
-June Bonacich: Life in the Produce Aisle
-Louise Farrenc: Overture for Orchestra, No. 1, op. 23, in E minor
Cornell Orchestra
-Lili Boulanger: “Du fond de l’abîme” : Psaume 130 : for contralto, tenor, chorus, organ, and orchestra
-Gabriela Lena Frank: Requiem for a Magical America: El Dia de los Muertos
Chattanooga Symphony and Opera
-Kendra D’Ercole: Wie die Blätter des Herbstes herabfallen
Eastern Connecticut Symphony
–Vítězslava Kaprálová: Suite Rustica, Op. 19
-Emilie Mayer: Faust Overture
Eudaimonia
-Marianna von Martines: Quemadmodum desiderat cervus
-Marianna von Martines: Santa Elena al Calvario
Flagstaff Symphony
-Jennifer Higdon: Blue Cathedral
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
-Cindy McTee: Double Play
Georgia Tech Symphony Orchestra
–Hsin-Lei Chen: [TBD]
-Holly Harrison: FiddleSticks!
GrassRoots Festival Orchestra
-Rebecca Clarke: Viola Sonata (orch. by Ruth Lomon)
-Rachel Lockwood: Dislocated Voices
Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras
-Isabella Leonarda: Sonata op. 16, No. 1
-Camilla de Rossi: Introduzione from Oratorio: Santa Beatrice d’Este
Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra
-Kristen Kuster: Ribbon Earth
-Jessica Rudman: The Ghosting
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
-Lera Auerbach: Requiem for Icarus
Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra
-Wang Jie: Romeo and Juliet a Toilette
-Germaine Tailleferre: Concerto for Flute and Piano
MAYO Symphony
-Beth Denisch: [New Work]
Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
-Polina Nazaykinskaya: Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra
Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra
–Nkeiru Okoye: Songs of Harriet Tubman
National Women’s Music Festival
-Mary Watkins: [New Work]
New Century Chamber Orchestra
-Jennifer Higdon: Dance Card
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
-Hannah Lash: Voynich Project
-Joan Tower: Second Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
North State Symphony
-Libby Larsen [New Work]
North/South Chamber Orchestra
-Elizabeth Bell: Concertino for Chamber Orchestra
–Marilyn Ziffrin: Strings
New York Youth Symphony
-Tonia Ko: Strange Sounds and Explosions Worldwide
-Gabriella Smith: Lost Coast
Oakland Symphony
-Gabriela Lena Frank: Concertino Cusqueno
–Vân-Ánh Vanessa Võ: Lullaby for a Country
Princeton Symphony Orchestra
-Sarah Kirkland Snider: Hiraeth
-Caroline Shaw: Lo for Violin and Orchestra
Portland Youth Philharmonic
-Marion Bauer: Sun Splendor
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra
-Dorothy Gates: Trombone Concerto
-Jennifer Higdon: Dances for Chamber Orchestra
Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island
-Amy Beach: Symphony in E Minor, op. 32 (Gaelic)
-Victoria Bond: Dreams of Flying
Symphony Number One
-Natalie Draper: [TBD]
Symphony of the City of New York
-Maria Hester Park: Concerto for Pianoforte or Harpsichord
–Mrs. Philharmonica: String Sonata No. 2 in D Major
-Mrs. Philharmonica: String Sonata No. 3 in G Minor
The Dream Unfinished
– Florence Price: The Oak
-Ethel Smyth: Excerpts from “The Prison”
Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra
-Doreen Carwithen: Concerto for Piano and Strings
-Ethel Smyth: Serenade for Strings, Op. 1A
Wintergreen Performing Arts
-Gilda Lyons: The Rapture of Saint Joan
-Clara Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7
2014
American Composers Orchestra
-Courtney Bryan: Sanctum
-Nina Young: Endurance
Allentown Symphony Orchestra
-Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Celebration Overture
-Diane Wittry: Ode to Joy Fanfare
Bar Harbor Festival String Orchestra
-Jill Jaffe: “look sea, he lives”
-Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel: String Quartet (arranged for String Orchestra)
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
-Lili Boulanger: D’un main de printemps
-Caroline Mallonee: Whistler Waves
Cappella Clausura
-Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel: Oratorium nach Bildern der Bibel
Chicago Composers Orchestra
-Kathleen Ginther: The Merchant’s Wife
-Helen Hopekirk: Concertstuck for Piano and Orchestra
-Martha Horst: [New Work]
-Laura Schwendinger: [New Work]
Chattanooga Symphony and Opera
-Jennifer Higdon: Viola Concerto
Community Women’s Orchestra
-Ethel Smyth: Overture to “The Wreckers”
Curtis Institue of Music
-Jennifer Higdon: Viola Concerto
Georgia Tech Symphony Orchestra
-Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel: Allegretto from String Quartet in E
Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra
-Amick Leigha: Adagio Dolce II
-Brett Omara: Zambra
Fresno Philharmonic
-Gabriela Lena Frank: Three Latin American Dances
Flagstaff Symphony
-Mary Howe: Stars
Four Season Orchestra
-Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre: Suite from Ballet Cephalic et Procris
Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra
-Mel Bonis: Suite en forme de valses
-Wang Jie: Five Faces of Joy
Lansing Symphony Orchestra
-Jarjan Helms: Seven Ascents for Flute & Orchestra
Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
-Tina Davidson: Barefoot
-Tina Davidson: First Light
Macon Symphony Youth Orchestra
-Amy Beach: Symphony in E Minor, op. 32 (Gaelic)
-Libby Larson: Song – Dances to the Light
Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra
–Tawnie Olson: [TBD]
Musical Arts Youth Orchestra
-Wynn-Anne Rossi: Change of Heart
-Germaine Tailleferre: Chorale and Variations
Nashville Symphony
-Jennifer Higdon: All Things Majestic
-Jennifer Higdon: Viola Concerto
Orchestra of St. Luke’s
-Maria Chavez: [TBD]
–Gabriela Lena Frank: [New Work]
Orchestra of the League of Composers
-Kaija Saariaho: Leino Songs
Pacific Symphony
-Laura Karpman: “Sea Goddess”
Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island
-Lili Boulanger: D’un main de printemps
-Lili Boulanger: D’un soir triste
-Diane Wittry: Mist
Salem Chamber Orchestra
-Ashia Grzesik: Pronto do Nieba (Simply to Heaven)
-Ashia Grzesik: My Rock
Seattle Collaborative Orchestra
-Lili Boulanger: D’un main de printemps
-Leanna Primiani: Sirens for Orchestra
Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra
-Ana Milosavljevic: Reflections
-Ana Miolsavljevic: Viper Concerto for Viper Electric Violin and Orchestra
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
-Libby Larsen: Four on the Floor
Williamsburg Symphonia
-Florence Price: Symphony No. 3
2012
American Composers Orchestra
-Judith Sainte Croix: Vision V
-Kate Soper: now is forever’ he whispered: Orpheus and Eurydice for Voice and Orchestra
American Youth Symphony
-Anna Clyne: <
Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra
-Amy Beach: Symphony in E Minor, op. 32 (Gaelic)
-Maxcine Posegate: If I Should Ascend
Boston Civic Orchestra
-Julia Scott Carey: Wiegla
Boston New Music Initiative, Inc.
-Emily Koh: in-retro | re-intros;spect
Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra
-Jennifer Higdon: Skyline
Civic Orchestra of Tuscon
-Alisha Nichols: The Light of Tucson
Central Ohio Symphony
–Marylyn Shrude: [New Work]
Columbia Orchestra
-Yi Chen: Mount a Long Wind
–Nkeiru Okoye: Voices Shouting Out
Curtis 20/21 Ensemble
-Katerina Kramarchuk: [New Work]
El Camino Youth Symphony
-Yi Chen: Celebration for Orchestra
Eastern Connecticut Symphony
-Emily Cooley: Render and Reach
Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra
-Stella Sung: Rockwell Reflections
Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra
-Deborah Henson-Conant: Concerto Dobles
Green Mountain Youth Symphony
–Amy Beach: Symphony in E Minor, op. 32
(Gaelic)
-Lydia Busier-Blais: [New Work]
Greater Boulder youth Orchestras
-Kristin Kuster: [New Work]
Kennesaw State University Symphony Orchestra
-Yi Chen: Concertino for Violin and Orchestra
Louisiana Music Educators Association All-State Orchestra
-Jennifer Higdon: Blue Cathedral
Macon Symphony Youth Orchestra
–Gwyneth Walker: Bicentennial Suite
Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra
-Augusta Read Thomas: Prayer and Celebration
–Tracey Rush: [New Work]
Nashville Symphony
-Joan Tower: Concerto for Violin
New Philharmonia Orchestra
-Erica Foin: Quintessence
New Jersey Youth Symphony
-Amanda Harberg: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
New York Repertory Orchestra
-Anne Guzzo: Fanfare for Mountains and Peace
-Peri Mauer: Illuminations of the Night
Orchestra Miami
-Victoria Bond: Dreams Flying
Orchestra of the League of Composers
-Wang Jie: Oboe Concerto for the Genuine Hearts of Sadness
Oregon Pro Arte
-Tina Davidson: Fiddler’s Delight
-Tina Davidson: First Light
Ova Novi Ensemble (ONE)
-Lili Boulanger: D’un main de printemps
-Lili Boulanger: D’un soir triste
Springfield (MA) Symphony Orchestra
-Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Rituals for Five Percussionists and Orchestra
South Florida Youth Ensemble
-Marsha Chusmir Shapiro: [New Work]
Tacoma Symphony Orchestra
-Alexandra Bryant: Strange Attractors
Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra
–Jamie Leigh Sampson: Rekindled Shards
Venice Symphony Orchestra
-Jennifer Higdon: Rapid Fire
-Joan Tower: Petroushskates
Verdugo Young Musicians Association
-Charlotte McMillian: In the Moonlight Woods
Wartburg Chamber Orchestra
-Amy Beach: The Chambered Nautilus
Williamsburg Youth Orchestra
-Clara Schumann (arr. by P. Bhasin): March in E Flat
Wheeling Symphony Orchestra
-Jennifer Higdon: Concerto for Orchestra
Young People’s Symphony Orchestra
-Jennifer Higdon: Blue Cathedral