Memphis Composers Institute 2025 - Winners and Artists
Meet the Winners of the Memphis Composers Institute
On February 9, 2025 The Memphis Symphony Orchestra will premiere works by three extraordinary composers selected from an international call for scores.
Soomin Kim (star / ghost / mouth / sea), Evan Erickson (Oobleck), and Sina Karachiani (Stranger of Kin) bring fresh and compelling perspectives to the concert hall, blending influences ranging from Persian traditions to contemporary storytelling.
Their works will debut alongside a new viola concerto by composer D. J. Sparr in an inspiring concert celebrating the next generation of orchestral music.
The selection committee also wishes to acknowledge two composers whose compelling works received honorable mention: William “Liam” Cummins (Joyas Voladoras) and Kian Ravaei (Majnun in the Wilderness), as well as all of the composers who submitted works for consideration.
About the Artists
Evan Erickson — Oobleck
Clarinetist, composer, and engraver Evan Erickson studies under Robyn Jones (clarinet) and Kamran Ince (composition) at the University of Memphis. He has been a two-time finalist for the ASCAP Morton Gould Award (2023, 2024) and is passionate about championing underrepresented composers. He founded a non-profit Call for Scores initiative that has premiered the works of emerging artists with sponsorships from Dorico, Finale, and NotePerformer.
Sina Karachiani — Stranger of Kin
San Francisco-based Sina Karachiani, an alumnus of The Walden School’s Creative Musicians Retreat, blends Western classical music, Persian traditions, and electronic media to explore themes of self and personal growth. His work Whirling Onward was performed by the USC Thornton Symphony Orchestra, and his Double Bass Sonata won first prize in the MACCC Composition Contest. Stranger of Kin is inspired by his grandmother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Soomin Kim — star / ghost / mouth / sea
Composer and singer Soomin Kim explores identity, technology, and storytelling through music. She is a three-time recipient of the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award (2019, 2020, 2022) and the 2024 winner of the University of Florida Call for Scores by Women Composers. Kim’s compositions have been featured at the Ravinia Festival, Sydney Festival, Aspen Music Festival, and Norfolk New Music Workshop. She currently serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Composition at Oberlin Conservatory.
D. J. Sparr — Extended Play: for Viola and Orchestra
Composer and electric guitarist D. J. Sparr, whom Gramophone recently hailed as “exemplary,” is one of America’s preeminent composer-performers. He has caught the attention of critics with his eclectic style, described as “pop-Romantic…iridescent and wondrous” (The Mercury News) and “suits the boundary erasing spirit of today’s new-music world” (The New York Times). The Los Angeles Times praises him as “an excellent soloist,” and the Santa Cruz Sentinel says that he “wowed an enthusiastic audience…Sparr’s guitar sang in a near-human voice.”
D. J. Sparr, named one of NPR listeners’ favorite 100 composers under 40 in 2011, was the electric guitar concerto soloist on a 2018 GRAMMY-Award-winning album with JoAnn Falletta and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has composed for and performed with renowned ensembles, including the Houston Grand Opera, Cabrillo Festival, New World Symphony, Washington National Opera, and Eighth Blackbird. A recipient of awards from BMI, New Music USA, and the League of Composers/ISCM, Sparr was a Young American Composer-in-Residence with the California Symphony and is a faculty member at The Walden School’s Creative Musicians Retreat in Dublin, New Hampshire. His works and performances appear on Albany, Naxos, Innova Recordings, and Centaur Records. Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sparr teaches at LSU’s Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College, and his music is published by Bill Holab Music.
Kyle Dickson, conductor
American conductor Kyle Dickson is celebrated for his dynamic presence on the podium. He is Assistant Conductor of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Memphis Youth Symphony. From 2021-2023, Dickson was a Salonen Fellow with the San Francisco Symphony and Assistant Conductor of the Chicago Sinfonietta.
Dickson has appeared as Guest Conductor with the National Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Portland (ME) Symphony, and Oakland Symphony with recent debuts with the Louisville Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, and the Grant Park Music Festival. As Cover Conductor, Dickson has been engaged by the New York Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony, and the San Diego Symphony as well as serving as Assistant Conductor for concerts with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Orchestre de Paris, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
A champion for youth and diversity in the arts, Dickson created the award-winning MUSIC REPRESENTS series and was Assistant Conductor for Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 in 2022. He has worked as guest conductor with youth orchestras across the country including ICYOLA, Colburn Academy Virtuosi and the Chicago Youth in Music Festival.
Kimberly Sparr, violist
Kimberly Sparr, praised for her versatility and virtuosity, is a solo, chamber, and orchestral violist. She is the Associate Professor of Viola at Louisiana State University, violist of the Atlantic Chamber Ensemble, and a member of the trio Scabaret. She is also on the faculty of the Brevard Music Center.
Sparr has held assistant principal roles with the Richmond Symphony and Colorado Music Festival and has performed with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, and Washington National Opera. She has appeared as a concerto soloist with ensembles including the LSU Symphony, Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, Amarillo Virtuosi, Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra, Texas Tech University Symphony Orchestra, LSU Wind Ensemble, and the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. She has also been a guest artist with Agarita and the Harrington String Quartet.
An experienced educator, Sparr has taught at Texas Tech University, The College of William and Mary, and UMBC. She has also served on the faculty of the National Music Festival and the Summer Strings Academy for Girls.
Memphis Composers Institute 2025 Announcement
Download this press release as a PDF.
MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO PRESENT FOUR NEW ORCHESTRAL WORKS
Innovative Collaboration Celebrates Emerging Talent through the Memphis Composers Institute
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the University of Memphis, and The Walden School join forces to present a groundbreaking program supporting the artistic growth of emerging composers selected through an international call for scores.
An exciting weekend of events, to be held February 7-9, will include open rehearsals, panel discussions, and a reception with musicians, and will culminate in the world premiere of four new orchestral works at Harris Hall at the University of Memphis at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 9.
The concert will feature acclaimed violist Kimberly Sparr performing a new viola concerto commissioned by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra by composer and Walden faculty member and alumnus D. J. Sparr.
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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, January 29, 2025 — The Memphis Composers Institute, a collaborative initiative between the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, The Walden School, and the University of Memphis, proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Memphis Composers Institute. This year’s selected composers — Evan Erickson, Sina Karachiani, and Soomin Kim — were chosen from an impressive pool of more than 100 applicants, who submitted scores from across the globe. Their works will be performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in a special concert on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM. The concert will be conducted by Kyle Dickson, Madeleine Luce Moore Assistant Conductor Chair of the Memphis Symphony.
The Memphis Composers Institute provides a unique opportunity for emerging composers to collaborate with a professional orchestra, receive mentorship, and refine their craft. The selection process involved a distinguished panel from The Walden School, University of Memphis, and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, all working together to foster the next generation of composers through professional performance opportunities and an immersive orchestral setting.
Highlighting the program’s impact, selected composer Sina Karachiani shared his enthusiasm, describing the experience as “invaluable” and added, “I’m incredibly excited to hear my work brought into life by this amazing professional orchestra. Opportunities for emerging composers to have their orchestral music performed are rare.”
Highlights of the weekend include:
- Friday, February 7: Opening reception followed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s first rehearsal of the featured works. The evening rehearsal in Harris Hall at 7:30 PM is open to the public.
- Saturday, February 8: Meet the Musicians luncheon followed by panel discussions featuring members of the selection committee, performers, composers, mentors, and guest orchestra musicians. The evening concludes with a second MSO rehearsal at Harris Hall at 7:30 PM, which is open to the public.
- Sunday, February 9: The weekend culminates with a 2:00 PM public concert featuring the world premieres of the new orchestral works.
“It’s a privilege to introduce these three unique artistic voices to the Memphis community. Each of these works has something distinctive to say, and I look forward to working alongside the MSO and these phenomenal composers to bring these works to life,” notes Memphis Symphony Orchestra conductor Kyle Dickson.
Meet the Winners of the Memphis Composers Institute
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra will premiere works by three extraordinary composers selected from an international call for scores. Soomin Kim (star / ghost / mouth / sea), Evan Erickson (Oobleck), and Sina Karachiani (Stranger of Kin) bring fresh and compelling perspectives to the concert hall, blending influences ranging from Persian traditions to contemporary storytelling. Their works will debut alongside a new viola concerto by composer D. J. Sparr in an inspiring concert celebrating the next generation of orchestral music. The selection committee also wishes to acknowledge two composers whose compelling works received honorable mention: William “Liam” Cummins (Joyas Voladoras) and Kian Ravaei (Majnun in the Wilderness), as well as all of the composers who submitted works for consideration.
Caroline Mallonee, Walden alumna and director of The Walden School Creative Musicians Retreat, expressed her enthusiasm: “Walden is thrilled to support the three composers selected by the Memphis Composers Institute as they take an important step in their creative journeys. By helping these artists bring their music to life with the Memphis Symphony, we continue The Walden School’s mission of fostering creativity and collaboration through meaningful experiential opportunities.”
The selection committee for the Memphis Composers Institute included esteemed musicians from The Walden School (Sky Macklay, Michael Kropf, and Caroline Mallonee), the University of Memphis (Kamran Ince and Mahir Cetiz), and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (Kyle Dickson and Robert Patterson), representing a distinguished and accomplished panel of experts. D. J. Sparr serves as the Artistic Coordinator of the Memphis Composers Institute.
Mahir Cetiz, Assistant Professor of Composition & Theory at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, underscored the importance of the event: “I do not think I would be exaggerating when I say that the Memphis Composers Institute is going to be one of the most important new music events in 2025. This is a unique collaboration between The Walden School, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Memphis-Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, to showcase the works of three composers while providing an inspiring and eye-opening series of activities to our community.”
Concert Information
Memphis Composers Institute Concert
Sunday, February 9, 2025 | 2:00 PM
University of Memphis, Harris Hall
Suggested donation: $20 adults | $5 children | Pay-what-you-can streaming available.
For tickets, visit:
https://memphis-symphony-orchestra.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FPb000005OKZ0MAO
For a complete schedule of events for the weekend, visit:
https://waldenschool.org/memphis-composers-institute/
About the Artists
Evan Erickson — Oobleck
Clarinetist, composer, and engraver Evan Erickson studies under Robyn Jones (clarinet) and Kamran Ince (composition) at the University of Memphis. He has been a two-time finalist for the ASCAP Morton Gould Award (2023, 2024) and is passionate about championing underrepresented composers. He founded a non-profit Call for Scores initiative that has premiered the works of emerging artists with sponsorships from Dorico, Finale, and NotePerformer.
Sina Karachiani — Stranger of Kin
San Francisco-based Sina Karachiani, an alumnus of The Walden School’s Creative Musicians Retreat, blends Western classical music, Persian traditions, and electronic media to explore themes of self and personal growth. His work Whirling Onward was performed by the USC Thornton Symphony Orchestra, and his Double Bass Sonata won first prize in the MACCC Composition Contest. Stranger of Kin is inspired by his grandmother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Soomin Kim — star / ghost / mouth / sea
Composer and singer Soomin Kim explores identity, technology, and storytelling through music. She is a three-time recipient of the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award (2019, 2020, 2022) and the 2024 winner of the University of Florida Call for Scores by Women Composers. Kim’s compositions have been featured at the Ravinia Festival, Sydney Festival, Aspen Music Festival, and Norfolk New Music Workshop. She currently serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Composition at Oberlin Conservatory.
D. J. Sparr — Extended Play: for Viola and Orchestra
Composer and electric guitarist D. J. Sparr, whom Gramophone recently hailed as “exemplary,” is one of America’s preeminent composer-performers. He has caught the attention of critics with his eclectic style, described as “pop-Romantic…iridescent and wondrous” (The Mercury News) and “suits the boundary erasing spirit of today’s new-music world” (The New York Times). The Los Angeles Times praises him as “an excellent soloist,” and the Santa Cruz Sentinel says that he “wowed an enthusiastic audience…Sparr’s guitar sang in a near-human voice.”
D. J. Sparr, named one of NPR listeners’ favorite 100 composers under 40 in 2011, was the electric guitar concerto soloist on a 2018 GRAMMY-Award-winning album with JoAnn Falletta and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has composed for and performed with renowned ensembles, including the Houston Grand Opera, Cabrillo Festival, New World Symphony, Washington National Opera, and Eighth Blackbird. A recipient of awards from BMI, New Music USA, and the League of Composers/ISCM, Sparr was a Young American Composer-in-Residence with the California Symphony and is a faculty member at The Walden School’s Creative Musicians Retreat in Dublin, New Hampshire. His works and performances appear on Albany, Naxos, Innova Recordings, and Centaur Records. Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sparr teaches at LSU’s Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College, and his music is published by Bill Holab Music.
Kyle Dickson, conductor
American conductor Kyle Dickson is celebrated for his dynamic presence on the podium. He is Assistant Conductor of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Memphis Youth Symphony. From 2021-2023, Dickson was a Salonen Fellow with the San Francisco Symphony and Assistant Conductor of the Chicago Sinfonietta.
Dickson has appeared as Guest Conductor with the National Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Portland (ME) Symphony, and Oakland Symphony with recent debuts with the Louisville Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, and the Grant Park Music Festival. As Cover Conductor, Dickson has been engaged by the New York Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony, and the San Diego Symphony as well as serving as Assistant Conductor for concerts with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Orchestre de Paris, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
A champion for youth and diversity in the arts, Dickson created the award-winning MUSIC REPRESENTS series and was Assistant Conductor for Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 in 2022. He has worked as guest conductor with youth orchestras across the country including ICYOLA, Colburn Academy Virtuosi and the Chicago Youth in Music Festival.
Kimberly Sparr, violist
Kimberly Sparr, praised for her versatility and virtuosity, is a solo, chamber, and orchestral violist. She is the Associate Professor of Viola at Louisiana State University, violist of the Atlantic Chamber Ensemble, and a member of the trio Scabaret. She is also on the faculty of the Brevard Music Center.
Sparr has held assistant principal roles with the Richmond Symphony and Colorado Music Festival and has performed with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, and Washington National Opera. She has appeared as a concerto soloist with ensembles including the LSU Symphony, Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, Amarillo Virtuosi, Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra, Texas Tech University Symphony Orchestra, LSU Wind Ensemble, and the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. She has also been a guest artist with Agarita and the Harrington String Quartet.
An experienced educator, Sparr has taught at Texas Tech University, The College of William and Mary, and UMBC. She has also served on the faculty of the National Music Festival and the Summer Strings Academy for Girls.
About the Memphis Composers Institute
The Memphis Composers Institute is a partnership between the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, The Walden School, and the University of Memphis, dedicated to fostering the next generation of composers through professional performance opportunities and mentorship in an immersive orchestral setting.
About The Walden School
The Walden School provides innovative and immersive music education programs, offering musicians of all ages opportunities to develop their creativity and collaborate with professional musicians. Known for its student-centered approach, The Walden School fosters artistic growth in a supportive and engaging environment.
About Memphis Symphony Orchestra
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is a cornerstone of the cultural life in Memphis, bringing world-class performances and educational programs to the community. MSO is dedicated to artistic excellence and outreach, inspiring audiences through innovative programming and a commitment to fostering new music.
About the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis is a leading institution in providing music education, offering comprehensive programs in performance, composition, and music technology, among other concentrations. With world-renowned faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, the school prepares students for dynamic careers in the music industry.
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Media Contacts:
Peter Abell, Executive Director, Memphis Symphony
peter.abell@memphissymphony.org
(901) 779-7831
Seth Brenzel, Executive Director, The Walden School
sbrenzel@waldenschool.org
(415) 587-8157
Lance Reddick Scholarship in the Keene Sentinel
The Keene Sentinel interviewed Executive Director Seth Brenzel about the newly announced Lance Reddick Scholarship.
“It’s expensive to run any kind of music education program,” Brenzel said. “We’ve always been committed to providing financial aid, and I’m just thrilled we’re going to be able to grow that number quite significantly and create even more access opportunities.”
Read the full article: Walden's Young Musician Program receives $450,000 to offer full scholarships
Lance Reddick Scholarship in the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
The Monadnock Ledger-Transcript covered the Lance Reddick Scholarship in a January 24, 2024 article.
"Lance was a wonderful supporter of Walden, and we are excited to see how Walden can be a springboard to future music creators who attend the Young Musicians Program as Lance Reddick Scholars,” stated Seth Brenzel, executive director of The Walden School. “We are so grateful to the generous donor who made this transformative gift to honor Lance's legacy."
Read the full article: Walden School announces Reddick Scholarship
Announcing the Lance Reddick Scholarship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Marisa Giller
314.630.4123, marisagiller@gmail.com
THE WALDEN SCHOOL ANNOUNCES LANCE REDDICK SCHOLARSHIP
Anonymous Donor Steps Forward to Honor Legacy of Esteemed Walden Alumnus and Actor, Lance Reddick, Creates Full Scholarship Program for Young Musicians
DUBLIN, N.H., (January 18, 2024) – Today, The Walden School, the celebrated summer music school and camp, announced it received a $450,000 anonymous donation in memory of esteemed alumnus and actor, Lance Reddick, who passed away suddenly in the spring of 2023.
The donation will fund 10 full scholarships per year for its 2024-2026 Young Musicians Program, enabling deserving young musicians the opportunity to experience Walden’s summer five-week program free of charge. Five of the 10 scholarships will be awarded specifically to students from the Baltimore area in honor of Mr. Reddick’s hometown and the birthplace of The Walden School.
Mr. Reddick attended The Walden School from 1976-1980, returning in 1983 as a Walden faculty member. While he was a lifelong creator and student of music, he was most well known for his television and film work, particularly for his role as Cedric Daniels in “The Wire.”
Walden’s Young Musicians Program is a five-week summer camp for students ages 9 to 18 that offers musical training in a supportive musical community. Students attend classes in composition, musicianship, music history, choral singing, computer musicianship, jazz, and more. Dances, swim trips, mountain hikes, and open mic nights balance out this rigorous musical training.
“Lance would be so honored by these scholarships being named for him, and this project would really touch his heart,” said Stephanie Reddick, Lance’s wife.
Mr. Reddick openly shared the importance of financial assistance in allowing him to participate in creative opportunities like Walden’s program that shaped the arc of his life. The scholarship in his name will provide each student with full tuition, room, and board, along with a travel stipend.
"Lance was a wonderful supporter of Walden, and we are excited to see how Walden can be a springboard to future music creators who attend the Young Musicians Program as Lance Reddick Scholars,” said Seth Brenzel, Executive Director of The Walden School. “We are so grateful to the generous donor who made this transformative gift to honor Lance's legacy."
Applications are due Friday, March 1. To apply, visit waldenschool.org/apply/. To learn more about the Lance Reddick Scholarship, visit waldenschool.org/lance-reddick-scholarship/.
About The Walden School
The Walden School inspires artistic expression and personal growth through experiential music programs. Founded in 1972, the acclaimed summer music school and festival offers programs that emphasize creativity through musicianship, improvisation, and composition. Programs include the Young Musicians Program for youth ages 9-18, and the Creative Musicians Retreat for adults. The Summer Concert Series showcases free, public performances by renowned artists and ensembles that work closely with students and perform their original music. To learn more visit www.waldenschool.org.
Chamber Music America 2017 National Conference - Innovation Session
Find The Walden School at this year's exciting Chamber Music America National Conference.
In addition to visiting Walden's exhibitor booth in the Atrium Room, you can hear Executive Director Seth Brenzel on a panel speaking to the challenges and benefits of orchestrating an organization with staff and artists operating in different locations.
Teams Without Borders: Collaborating Virtually
Friday, January 13, 2:00 – 3:10 PM
Organizations with members scattered across different cities are managed increasingly by ‘virtual team administrators'—but not without certain challenges. Seth Brenzel, executive director of The Walden School, will discuss how he coordinates and supports his national team of staff, faculty, and artists, with a focus on effective methods for navigating schedules and time zones, sharing centralized materials, and coordinating meetings, spaces, and decision-making. Panelists include professionals whose staff members live throughout the country and who have a modular organizational structure that allows them to operate from their home bases.
SPEAKERS:
Seth Brenzel, Executive Director, The Walden School
Matt Levy, Executive Director, PRISM Quartet
Ben Melsky, Executive Director, Dal Niente Ensemble
Vanessa Rose, Executive Director, International Contemporary Ensemble
Walden Holiday Party - New York City
Join us in New York City!
Saturday, January 14, 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Manhattan
RSVP: events@waldenschool.org
Take a moment this winter to come together as a Walden community in New York City.
Re-connect with supporters, alumni, and faculty, and help us celebrate Walden’s amazing programs this holiday season.
This party is a potluck-style gathering at a private home. When you RSVP, please let us know what you would like to bring and we will send you the party address.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, and Happy Holidays from all of us at The Walden School!
Walden Holiday Party - Boston
Join us in Boston!
Saturday, January 14, 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Brookline
RSVP: events@waldenschool.org
Take a moment this winter to come together as a Walden community in Boston.
Re-connect with supporters, alumni, and faculty, and help us celebrate Walden’s amazing programs this holiday season.
This party is a potluck-style gathering at a private home. When you RSVP, please let us know what you would like to bring and we will send you the party address.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, and Happy Holidays from all of us at The Walden School!
Walden Holiday Party - Chicago
Join us in Chicago!
Saturday, January 7, 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Evanston
RSVP: events@waldenschool.org
Take a moment this winter to come together as a Walden community in Chicago.
Re-connect with supporters, alumni, and faculty, and help us celebrate Walden’s amazing programs this holiday season.
This party is a potluck-style gathering at a private home. When you RSVP, please let us know what you would like to bring and we will send you the party address.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, and Happy Holidays from all of us at The Walden School!