C4: The Choral Composer-Conductor Collective
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History

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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.

C4 has built an impressive roster of collaborations, from performing the original score for the David Finklestein film, 'Two Fauns’ (2009); to work with visual and sound artists (2010); to our first collaboration with another ensemble (Fireworks, 2012). C4 recently added dance to its list of collaborative endeavors (Ensemble Dance, fall 2013) and performed with The Canite String Quartet this spring.

In 2011, C4 produced its first Commissioning Competition, drawing 215 submissions from composers worldwide and awarding prizes totaling $4,000. C4 is pleased to be running our second competition for which 317 composers submitted works.  The three winning composers will now work on their new commissions, and vie for prizes to be awarded by adjudicators Eric Banks, James Bassi, and Aaron Jay Kernis at our winter 2015 concerts.

Our “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.

A milestone was reached when C4 went into the recording studio for the first time. Since its release in June 2013, our debut album “C4, Volume 1: Uncaged” (4-Tay Records) has received rave reviews in the American Record Guide and in Fanfare Magazine, and was featured by WQXR as “Q2 Album of the Week.”

2013 also saw two other long-term goals reached: the formation of C4’s new Board of Directors, including a number of independent music professionals; and inaugural Educational Outreach Seminar events which took place at Tufts University – student composition readings, a masterclass in choral conducting and techniques, and an evening-length concert.

Since that opening night in 2006, C4 has produced 22 additional concerts – 45 performances – featuring more than 100 composers, and including 100+ premieres. 

We're capping off the 2013-14 with the news that C4 has been awarded the Chorus America/ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award.  Going strong, heading into our 10th season, we expect there are many more great things to come.

Also, see Anna Reguero’s October 20, 2006 article for Vocal Area Network.



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C4 at Tufts University
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C4's New Board of Directors (David Hurd not present)

Watch C4's close-up look video from the 2012 Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for our 2013 studio recording sessions...


C4 is funded in part by:
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
NYSCA
The Rea Charitable Trust
C4 is a proud member of:
​
New York Choral Consortium
New York Choral Consortium
Chorus America
C4 Network
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