Kickstarter

UPDATE: We have reached our goal still with time to spare, and now we are guaranteed to receive funding!  Thank you to all who have pledged! We originally set this goal, which is half the commission fee, in order to have a better chance of reaching our goal and receiving the funding.  However, because we still have time left and can still accept pledges, we are setting a new goal of $3000 which would cover the entire commission fee.  We welcome additional support and you are still able to receive the rewards as well.      

The Sounds of Stow Chorus and Orchestra, of Stow, Massachusetts, led by artistic director Barbara Jones, is raising funds to commission a new Piano Concerto by local and emerging composer/pianist Keane Southard, which is set to be premiered in November 2012.  The new concerto will explore the composer's relationship with Mozart, fusing elements of the master’s style with his own contemporary yet engaging voice.

Over the past 33 seasons, the Sounds of Stow Chorus and Orchestra has presented a concerto along with a major choral/orchestral work at each concert, yet this is our first commission.  It is particularly fitting that our first commissioned work is based in the Mozartean tradition, for in addition to major concerti by Beethoven, Britten, Brahms, Schumann, Mendelssohn and others, the Sounds of Stow has performed literally all of Mozart’s piano concerti. It is most intriguing to contemplate viewing this legacy through the lens of an exciting new talent!  

We are hoping to raise at least half of the $3000 commission cost through this Kickstarter project, and all money raised beyond our goal will also go towards the commissioning fee.  All pledges are also tax-deductible.  We invite you to become a part of this exciting project (and receive cool rewards)!