Michael Morgan, music director of both the Oakland East Bay Symphony and the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, will receive the American Composers Forum (ACF) 2015 “Champion of New Music” award on February 20. This year’s other two recipients are the American Composers Orchestra and flutist Claire Chase, the founder and co-director of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE).
Morgan’s award will be presented during an Oakland East Bay Symphony concert that includes both the world premiere of jazz composer/violinist Mads Tolling's new violin concerto, Begejstring (“Excitement”).
The American Composers Forum award is a great recognition of what we have done here in Oakland,” Morgan told San Francisco Classical Voice. “I‘m always surprised to receive awards like this, because my orchestras have such small seasons, and I don’t get to do as much new music as I’d like to. But I certainly have to be committed to living composers, because I think it’s part of our duty.
I certainly have to be committed to living composers, because I think it’s part of our duty.For the most part, I’ve been able to find composers that both I and my audience find interesting. I think having the Oakland audience that I do is a big help, because they’re so adventurous. We in the Bay Area are also surrounded by some excellent composers, so there’s no shortage of music to play. Most of our new work has been by Bay Area composers because that’s been our focus because of a several-year relationship with the Irvine Foundation, whose commitment is to California. After we do our last Irvine Commission this month, we’ll be looking for new partners for performances of new music by people who live in our community.
Morgan’s other recent awards include the Musical America 2014 Profile in Courage award, and another from Bay Area Hundred Black Men. In addition to conducting both of his orchestras, he will guest conduct Festival Opera’s production of Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos this summer.