Launched in fall 2016, the Harvard Choruses New Music Initiative is a comprehensive mentorship program devoted to the creation of new works for choral ensembles and to nurturing undergraduate composers. It features an extensive mentorship process, commissions, competitions, residencies, and premiere performances as its fundamental components. Each HCNMI composer is closely mentored by an acclaimed composer-educator, who works with them through a yearlong process of creating text and music for a substantial choral work, which is then rehearsed and performed by one of Harvard’s choruses or Ensemble Veritas, a professional vocal ensemble established for this purpose. This innovative, unique Initiative seeks to build upon Harvard’s reputation as an international leader committed to advancing the choral tradition through the creation of new works and as a leading collegiate training program for students interested in choral composition and other genres. HCNMI strives to provide a transformative and essential part of the music program at Harvard.
