What is Project 21?

Project 21 is the name given to the group of students involved in the music composition department of Oklahoma City University.

Composition students exemplify the versatility that the School of Music endeavors to instill in its graduates. Composition students receive a strong technical grounding and are encouraged to write for a variety of ensembles and mediums including orchestra, chamber, musical theater, dance, and multimedia. Students work closely with the composer-in-residence and with distinguished guest artists. Visiting composers have included David Maslanka, John Corigliano, Ron Nelson, Simon Sargon, Martin Mailman, Jerod Tate, Laura Schwendinger, Ovid Young, Jack Stamp, David Friedman, Sujin Nam, Stephen Paulus, Thomas Pasatieri, and Frank Ticheli.

Recent News

June, 2011

Project 21 Composer wins Honorable Mention

Luis "Felipe" Nieto Sachica, from Bogota, Columbia, received an honorable mention for "Reminisce" in the Boston GuitarFest VI 2011. This 83 composers submitted 120 works from 31 different U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and 11 different countries.

Congratulations, Felipe!

Visit this link to view Felipe's profile: http://www.project21composers.com/bios.php?id=39

February, 2011

Alumni Jay Wadley wins prestigious fellowship

Our congratulations go out to a fellow Project 21 member, Jay Wadley. Jay was awarded the renowned Charles Ives Fellowship, one of only 2 composers selected!

Harmony Ives, the widow of Charles Ives, bequeathed to the Academy the royalties of Charles Ives' music, which has enabled the Academy to give the Ives awards in music since 1970. Two Charles Ives Fellowships, of $15,000 each, will be awarded to Dan Visconti and Jay Wadley.

Benjamin Adgate premiere rescheduled

Due to severe winter weather, Oklahoma City University's Spring Choral Concert, which was to feature Benjamin Adgate's Wild Geese, was canceled. Fortunately, OCU's Chamber Choir has rescheduled the premiere, which will now be featured on the program of a Wanda L. Bass Music Assembly. The free performance will take place in Petree Recital Hall at the Bass School of Music at 1 pm on March 1st, 2011.

January, 2011

Benjamin Adgate premieres "Wild Geese"

On February 4th, 2011, Oklahoma City University's Chamber Choir will premiere Wild Geese, a work for a cappella SATB chorus written by Project 21's Benjamin Adgate. This setting of a text by American poet Mary Oliver will be conducted by Dr. Randi Von Ellefson as part of OCU's Spring Choral Concert. The concert will be held at 8 pm in Petree Recital Hall in the Bass School of Music. Admission is free.

November, 2010

Benefit concert to be hosted for Kilhoffer family

Prayers and support go out to Project 21's Danielle Kilhoffer and her family, who recently lost a husband and father to cancer. Last fall, Danny Kilhoffer was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer, a condition which lead to his passing on October 29, 2010. In honor and celebration of his life, a benefit concert is being hosted at 7pm on November 4th at Christ's Legacy Church in Yukon, Oklahoma. Donations will be accepted at the concert to help support the Kilhoffer family through this tragic period.

August, 2010

Alumni, Faculty, and Students Collaborate

This summer, Project 21 member Max Randa was able to collaborate with faculty member Jan McDaniel as well as OCU alumni Kelli O'Hara to arrange a work for a concert she will be putting on in October. Kelli has been one of OCU's many success stories, and is known nationwide for her exceptional talent.

Students give back with their talents

Junior music composition major Max Randa and senior Megan Gourley arranged several pieces this summer for a large scale benefit concert featuring members of the Austin Lyric Opera and the Austin Symphony, including conductor Peter Bay. The concert was a tremendous success, and raised much more than expected for their target community.