About C4

MISSION

C4 exists to enrich artists and audiences alike through passionate advocacy of new choral works:
performing pieces written within the last 25 years, premiering and commissioning new choral works,
and mentoring emerging singers, composers, and conductors of today's choral music.

Who We Are

C4 is a unique, award-winning chorus directed and operated collectively by its singing members, functioning not only as a presenting ensemble in its own right but also as an ongoing workshop and recital chorus for the emerging composers and conductors who form the core of the group.

It is the first organization of its kind and one of the few choral groups in the nation to focus exclusively on the music of our time, performing only music written in the last twenty-five years.

Why We Are A Collective

What does it mean to be a collective? The roots of C4’s organization go back to 2005 when the founders wanted to create a new kind of ensemble that would work within a democratic framework. Every member has something important to contribute, and when we bring those things together, we create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Above all, participating in collaborative music making is intensely fun!

C4 has now completed its 14th season presenting a wide array of choral works by well known veterans and emerging composers—C4 members and others. In self-presented concerts, invited appearances, and through educational outreach, the ensemble has performed nearly 40 programs made up exclusively of music of our time. Audiences have thrilled to hear an ensemble made up largely of composers and conductors (who take turns at the podium) performing complex music at a very high level.

The C4 Network is an opportunity for like-minded ensembles using the C4 collective structure to share resources, knowledge, and repertoire. The C4 Network provides support for new and established ensembles in the network to ensure their longevity and success, while individual members benefit from the opportunity to have their compositions performed across the country.

The C4 Network is a project of C4: The Choral Composer/Conductor Collective, and is part of C4’s existing legal structure and framework. The project is currently run by members of the C4 board in coordination with liaisons from member ensembles of the network. The network currently consists of five member ensembles: C4, based in New York City; C3LA, based in Los Angeles; Triad Choral Collective, based in Boston; Inversion Ensemble, based in Austin; Infinitus, based at Jacksonville University in Florida; and Artifice, based in Washington, D.C. The C4 Network continues to grow with new ensemble members, more collaborative opportunities, and greater shared resources.

THE C4 NETWORK MISSION STATEMENT:

The C4 Network exists to advocate for new and innovative choral music on the national level, foster collaboration between collective choral ensembles, and empower choral musicians to create and sustain like-minded groups.

Want to learn more about the C4 Network? E-mail us at info@c4ensemble.org for more information!

Leadership

Board of Directors

Rebecca Ehren, Chair
Brenda Montagna
Fahad Siadat
Melissa Wozniak, Treasurer
Jennifer Wu

Advisory Board

Eric Banks
Lisa Bielawa
David Harris
David Hurd
Aaron Jay Kernis

Tania León
Harold Levine
Clara Longstreth
Ian David Moss
Tarik O’Regan

Kent Tritle
Toby Twining

2022-24 Leadership Committee

Jamie Klenetsky Fay, Facilitator

Emma Daniels; Repertoire Chair, Summer Workshop Committee
Katy Doe, Box Office Manager
Leslie Frost, Composer Chair
Mario Gullo, Composer Committee
Brian Mountford; Technology Officer, Gerber Commission Facilitator

Karen Siegel; Conductor Chair, Health & Safety Chair, Summer Workshop Committee
TJ Sclafani, Public Relations & Communications
Perry Townsend, Membership Chair
Melissa Wozniak, Finance Officer

Staff

Elise Brancheau, Executive Director

History

C4 was founded in November 2005 by a small cadre of veterans of New York City’s choral scene with the idea that a new, democratic model would allow the ensemble to explore a collaborative approach for the creation and performance of choral music. Preparations began in January 2006 for the group’s first concert and, on June 9 of that year, C4 was born before a sold-out house, featuring several world premieres by member composers. The concert was selected as Time Out New York’s "Don’t Miss!" classical pick of the night. In its fourteen seasons, C4 has performed over 340 works by over 170 composers, including over 150 world premieres, at least half of which are works by American composers.

C4 has built an impressive roster of collaborations across several artistic mediums, including: performing the original score for the David Finklestein film, Two Fauns (2009); performing with instrumental ensembles such as Fireworks, (2012), The Canite String Quartet (2014), and aTonal Hits (2016 & 2019); performing with Ensemble Dance (2013); performing with other choirs, such as the Brooklyn Youth Chorus (2018) and the West Village Chorale (2019); collaborating with poets Julia Bouwsma and Henk Rossouw from Fordham University’s Poets Out Loud series (2019); collaborating with electronic/visual artist Jesse Kipp (2020) and artist Zsuzsanna Ardó; and many more. C4 has also become an in-demand ensemble for innovative and adventurous programming in the New York City region, participating in large-scale public performances such as David Lang’s The Mile-Long Opera, and singing with organizations such as Music from Japan and the New York Composers Circle, to name a few.

In 2011, C4 produced its first commissioning competition, drawing 215 submissions from composers worldwide and awarding prizes totaling $4,000. Since then, C4 has held two more commissioning competitions and one student competition, each time receiving more submissions from a more diverse group of composers.

A key component to C4’s mission involves the mentoring of emerging choral composers and conductors. In 2013, C4 presented an educational outreach seminar at Tufts University, which included student composition readings, a masterclass in choral conducting and techniques, and an evening-length concert. C4 also participated as a performing ensemble in the Eastern Region ACDA conference in 2016. This past fall (2018), C4 held its first choral composition workshop series, where selected composers were able to observe their pieces being rehearsed, make weekly revisions to their score, and have their final, polished piece performed in concert. In addition to these outreach educational activities, C4 regularly holds composer salons and conductor feedback sessions for its members.

A milestone was reached when C4 went into the recording studio for the first time. Since its release in June 2013, C4’s debut album C4, Volume 1: Uncaged has received rave reviews in the American Record Guide and in Fanfare Magazine, and was featured by WQXR as “Q2 Album of the Week.” C4’s second album, C4, Volume 2: Cornerstones was released in 2016, and also received a glowing review from Fanfare Magazine. (Both albums are produced by 4-Tay Records.) C4 is currently in the process of curating selections for its third album.

In 2018, C4 reached another milestone by hiring its first employee, a part-time executive director, who oversees the various committees of the organizations and works with the ensemble leadership and Board of Directors.

The “Friends of C4” society was formed in 2011. From the initial, living room meeting with a handful of “superfans,” the society has grown to several dozen who host soirees, contribute artworks for publicity and fundraising efforts, and help spread the word about C4.

C4 is proud to be the two-time recipient of the Chorus America/ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award (for the years 2014 and 2019). The ensemble plans to continue its impressive work of championing contemporary choral music for many more years to come.