In these challenging economic times, the future of the new music field is uncertain. Now more than ever, we must work together as a community of composers and performers in order to further develop and strengthen our common artistic values and aspirations, even in the face of financial hardship. We have the power to ensure that the arts survive, and for participants in the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, our efforts in 2009 are focused on the creation, performance, and recording of new music.

This is the inaugural year of the symposium’s American Creators Ensemble (ACE) which is the first national composers/performers ensemble. The membership of the ensemble is all symposium participants who are accepted in categories II (Composer/Performers and Performer/Composers), III (Performers), and IV (Conductors). Robert Kyr is the founder and director of the ensemble

In 2009, the instruments in ACE will be as follows (with multiple instruments being accepted in some sections):

flute (piccolo, alto flute);

oboe (English horn);

saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor and/or baritone);

clarinet (bass clarinet);

bassoon;

trumpet;

horn;

trombone (bass trombone);

piano;

percussion (including vibraphone and/or marimba);

guitar (electric and/or acoustic);

violin;

viola;

cello;

bass.

This year, the mentors for the ensemble will be members from the Fireworks New Music Ensemble and Beta Collide, who will also perform with the ensemble (teaching by example) in concerts, readings, and improvisation sessions.

In future years, we plan to include vocalists and artists from other disciplines as well, including: multimedia artists; video artists; filmmakers; dancers; poets; actors; and creators in areas yet to be defined or labeled.