Dan Welcher to Compose 5th Symphony
Dan Welcher said of the project, "This will be a real flesh and blood symphony: it isn't very often that major new works of this size find their way onto subscription concerts of professional orchestras. I intend to make this symphony my biggest and best utterance for the orchestra and conductor for which I have the highest personal regard."
This will be the first piece commissioned specifically for Austin Symphony Orchestra conductor Peter Bay, but the symphony cannot be written without your help.
Your tax-deductible donation toward the Welcher commission will literally help to create new music! Contribute today and hear Dan Welcher’s 5th Commission premiere in the Spring of 2009 by the Austin Symphony under the baton of Peter Bay.
Checks may be made payable to “KMFA– Welcher Commission" and mailed to the Austin Community Foundation, PO BOX 6037, AUSTIN, TX 78702-6037. A receipt for tax purposes will be sent by return mail.
For those who contribute $2,500 or higher, they will receive an autographed copy of the full score by Dan Welcher as an added thank you.
Austin Symphony Orchestra conductor Peter Bay said of the process, "Dan's music has been very important to me for a long time. I believe he is among the very best composers at work today, writing music that speaks to a large audience in a voice that is uniquely his.” He went on to say, "I've programmed and conducted more than ten of his works over the years, with more than a dozen orchestras. But this is the first chance I've had to actually commission something, just for my orchestra. I'm very excited about being able to stand on the podium at the Long Center in the spring of 2009, leading the world premiere of Dan Welcher's 5th Symphony!"
Dan Welcher has a long history with the Austin Symphony. In 1979 he was bassoonist for the symphony and in 1980 Welcher served as assistant conductor for ten years. Welcher can be heard Sunday evenings at 8 on his program Knowing the Score.
For further inquiries about contributing toward the $50,000 commission contact KMFA Interim General Manager, Joan Kobayashi at joan@kmfa.org or at (512) 476-5632.
