Chamber Music America Awards Grants to 15 Ensembles

The grants are part of CMA's Ensemble Forward initiative, and total more than $95,000

Fifteen emerging New York chamber ensembles have received grant funding as part of Chamber Music America's (CMA) Ensemble Forward program.

The initiative provides opportunities for each group to work with established chamber music coaches, thus helping them develop their distinctive ensemble sound. Additionally, the funding makes resources available to build their careers and expand their professional network.

As well as the coaching grants, which total $39,000 in value, CMA introduced a recording grant for 2022. This grant will enable nine emerging ensembles to work with a professional producer, with the aim of recording a demo that can be used for promoting their work.

The recipients of both grants are as follows:

Ensemble Forward coaching project grant:

• Blackbox Ensemble
• Ensemble Decipher
• Esenca Duo
• Pathos Trio
• RhinoPuff
• Spark Duo

Ensemble Forward recording project grant:

• ARKAI
• Bowery Trio
• Cramer Quartet
• Dara + Kyle
• Lilac 94
• Lotus Chamber Music Collective
• Pathos Trio
• Singularity Saxophone Quartet
• The Brass Project

"I am thrilled by the support we are able to offer these young artists," said Kevin Kwan Loucks, the CEO of Chamber Music America.

"The pandemic has been particularly hard for this cohort who are just starting their careers. We are grateful to the New York Community Trust’s support for helping these grantees pivot and develop rewarding sustainable careers."