A $4.6 million gift from Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield, Rex Sinquefield, and the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation will ensure University of Missouri students continue to create new works through the Mizzou New Music Initiative.

The funding will expand opportunities for students and faculty, including new festivals, scholarships, awards, and competitions and collaborations designed to connect emerging composers with performers. The new funding will allow for the addition of a production coordinator who will help with the logistics of producing concerts and events, as well as an audio engineer to expand the initiative’s ability to create and share professional-grade recordings. A new mixed media studio will welcome new composers alongside filmmakers and digital artists.

Stefan Freund, professor of composition and artistic director of the initiative said in a press release, “It’s incredible to have this level of support for students, faculty, guests and resident artists who are dedicated to creating new music. These programs empower composers to express themselves not only through melody and harmony but also through imagination and innovation.”

The University of Missouri School of Music and the Mizzou New Music Initiative are set to Mizzou International Composers  Festival, from July 21-26 in Columbia. The Festival features resident ensemble Alarm Will Sound, and composers Amy Brandon, Chris Thompson, Daniel Reza Sabzghabaei, Geli Li, Matt Smith, Parker Callister, Seda Balc, and Robert Ge.

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