If you have been coming to our concerts in New Haven the past few years, you have probably been among the many who have asked us, “Do you have a CD?”

We didn’t, at the time. But we will later this year! Our first CD, as well as composer commissions for the pieces it will feature, will be funded in part by the Yale School of Music‘s alumni fund.

The YSM’s alumniVenture awards were established in 2008 to support musical projects by alumni that “advance the cause of music” in communities and throughout the world. Grant awards are highly competitive each year, so we were particularly honored to be selected for an award based on our first proposal!

with composer Russell Nadel after the premiere of "Orchard Sunset," May 2011

Our project will culminate in a recording of new music for horn and harp in August. Perhaps more importantly, though, our project and its recording will be centered around commissions of new pieces for horn and harp. Since founding AOP in 2010, one of our priorities has been to add to the 21st century repertoire for our instruments while simultaneously shining a spotlight on some of the many talented, emerging composers with whom we are privileged to work. Commissions specifically funded by our alumniVenture grant are by composers Naftali Schindler of Israel, Sarah Beth May of San Antonio, TX, and Michael Weinstein Reiman of New York City.

Our May 26 concert program “Infamous Composers II” will feature two of these new pieces, and a third will be premiered this summer at the Atlantic Music Festival in Waterville, ME. Our recording will feature these three pieces by the following composers, in addition to our 2011 commission, “Orchard Sunset,” by Russell Nadel.

We can’t wait to share some of this wonderful new music with you! Stay tuned for information about our May 26 concert, our summer recording project, and ways that you can be involved in our activities.