PROJECT : ENCORE is an ever-growing e-based repertoire and programming resource for conductors and a marketing arm for contemporary composers. The lofty mission embraced by the founders is that PROJECT : ENCORE provide a highly visible and accessible platform for new, post-premiere choral work that has been expertly evaluated as being of exceptional merit.

Evaluating music for programming is never an easy task. By providing study scores and sound files, the PROJECT : ENCORE catalog is designed to expedite a conductor's search for new material. PROJECT : ENCORE charges no fees or commissions either to conductors or composers.

PROJECT : ENCORE is not in competition with any company or organization seeking to promote or publish new choral music. It is neither a publishing house nor a representative of any particular composer. It is a free service supporting all efforts encouraging the composition and performance of new, high-quality choral music.

In short, PROJECT : ENCORE seeks to provide:

• A bridge directly connecting composers and conductors while maintaining an evaluation process historically born almost exclusively by music publishers.
• A seal of approval for the high-quality compositions accepted into the PROJECT : ENCORE database.
• A continually enlarging body of repertoire to which conductors can turn for fresh material and strong compositional voices of juried quality, searchable by an extensive array of keywords and conductor requirements.
• A complete sound file and study score for each work in the catalog for use as an evaluation and teaching tool.

PROJECT : ENCORE was created in response to a problem long recognized by composers: That of acquiring post-premiere performances of worthy compositions. Artistic Director and Founder of Schola Cantorum on Hudson, Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, became increasingly concerned about this difficulty as she worked with composers of pieces premiered by SCH in interesting other conductors in mounting additional performances of these compositions following their successful premiere.

Although this post-premiere compositional conundrum is not new, it is, without doubt, intensified at this particular time by changes in the publishing industry, the veritable (and marvelous!) explosion of self-publishing efforts at the hands of a wide array of compositional experience, and the virtual disappearance of music retailers that carry meaningful shelf-stock. The marketing of new work is increasingly coming to rely on convention-packaged materials, limiting both reach and variety. At stake is nothing less than the potential loss of many beautiful, compelling, and powerful new works that have every right to be welcomed into standard performance repertory, where they can follow happily upon the heels of their premiere performances, even once the headline cachet of “premiere” has been spent.

We embrace change as a fresh opportunity rather than perceiving it as a threat. Hence, the birth of PROJECT : ENCORE in June of 2009. Options and opportunities are rapidly growing for the marvelous life-impact of the Arts to abound, flourish, and increase in visibility to the nourishment of us all!