About the initiative
The Harvard Choruses New Music Initiative (HCNMI) is a bold and innovative program dedicated to fostering the creation of new choral works by undergraduate student composers. Established in 2016 and supported by a generous gift to the Harvard Choruses and the Office for the Arts, the Initiative reflects Harvard’s deep commitment to nurturing artistic creation and expanding the choral canon.
Rooted in the university’s long-standing tradition of choral excellence, HCNMI bridges the worlds of performance and composition, offering a rare opportunity for students—whether pursuing music professionally or composing as an avocational passion—to develop original works through an intensive yearlong process. Each student composer is selected through a competitive application and is paired with a renowned composer-mentor. Since its inception, the program has been led by Harvard alumnus Dr. Robert Kyr, Professor of Composition at the University of Oregon, whose guidance has shaped the creative and educational core of the program.
Across multiple visits to campus, Dr. Kyr guides each composer through every phase of the process—from text selection and initial drafts to notation refinement and final score preparation. His mentorship includes private lessons, group workshops, and critical feedback sessions designed to help students find their compositional voice while learning practical techniques of writing for the human voice.
The capstone of the program is the world premiere of each student’s work, performed either by one of Harvard’s flagship choral ensembles—the Harvard Glee Club, Radcliffe Choral Society, or Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum—or by a professional vocal group in residence, such as Ensemble Veritas, Lorelei Ensemble, or The Crossing. These ensembles not only prepare the works for performance and recording but also offer invaluable interpretive and technical feedback to the composers.
The New Music Initiative is distinctive not only for its artistic ambition but also for the deep sense of community it cultivates. Composers, singers, mentors, and conductors collaborate closely, creating an environment of shared exploration and mutual inspiration. The program reflects a twenty-first-century vision for music education: one that is inclusive, creative, and profoundly human.
By investing in student voices and supporting the creation of new choral music, the Harvard Choruses New Music Initiative is helping to shape the future of the art form—one premiere at a time.
Rooted in the university’s long-standing tradition of choral excellence, HCNMI bridges the worlds of performance and composition, offering a rare opportunity for students—whether pursuing music professionally or composing as an avocational passion—to develop original works through an intensive yearlong process. Each student composer is selected through a competitive application and is paired with a renowned composer-mentor. Since its inception, the program has been led by Harvard alumnus Dr. Robert Kyr, Professor of Composition at the University of Oregon, whose guidance has shaped the creative and educational core of the program.
Across multiple visits to campus, Dr. Kyr guides each composer through every phase of the process—from text selection and initial drafts to notation refinement and final score preparation. His mentorship includes private lessons, group workshops, and critical feedback sessions designed to help students find their compositional voice while learning practical techniques of writing for the human voice.
The capstone of the program is the world premiere of each student’s work, performed either by one of Harvard’s flagship choral ensembles—the Harvard Glee Club, Radcliffe Choral Society, or Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum—or by a professional vocal group in residence, such as Ensemble Veritas, Lorelei Ensemble, or The Crossing. These ensembles not only prepare the works for performance and recording but also offer invaluable interpretive and technical feedback to the composers.
The New Music Initiative is distinctive not only for its artistic ambition but also for the deep sense of community it cultivates. Composers, singers, mentors, and conductors collaborate closely, creating an environment of shared exploration and mutual inspiration. The program reflects a twenty-first-century vision for music education: one that is inclusive, creative, and profoundly human.
By investing in student voices and supporting the creation of new choral music, the Harvard Choruses New Music Initiative is helping to shape the future of the art form—one premiere at a time.
Faculty
Dr. Andrew Clark
Director of Choral Activities |
Dr. Rob Kyr
Composer-in-Residence and Mentor |
