On May 1, 2022, the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia will celebrate their 200^th anniversary with a concert featuring the world premiere of four new works.

Selected from a pool of over 50 prominent, American composers through The Society’s Edwin G. McCollin Fund competition, four winners were commissioned and will work with partnering ensembles to present their works.

The winning composers are Tania Leon, whose song cycle “In the Fields, un ciclo de canciones” will be performed by the Curtis Institute’s Ensemble with soprano Sarah Fleiss; Stephen Jaffe, whose “Three Arcs (Chamber Concerto #5) for Strings, Harp, & Guitar,” will be performed by the Network for New Music Ensemble and the Pennsylvania Girlchoir; Roberto Sierra,” whose “Graffiti II” will be performed by the PRISM Quartet; and Augusta Read Thomas, whose “MAGIC GARDENS for string quartet” will be performed by Rolston String Quartet.

“I am very excited about the Musical Fund Society’s upcoming Bicentennial celebration, especially the May 2022 concert featuring new chamber works by some of America’s finest living composers,” said Society President Linda Reichert in an official press statement. “The Society and its activities have quietly thrived under the radar in Philadelphia for many years. These Bicentennial events — presented in partnership with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, The Free Library of Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania Library archives, and the four excellent participating Philadelphia music ensembles — will spotlight the important activities of our organization, and connect Philadelphia audiences with the rich musical life of past and present Philadelphia.”