Spectri Sonori
Spectri Sonori, a concert series and a chamber music ensemble specializing in performance of contemporary music, has been in residence at the Newcomb Music Department, Tulane University, since 1987. The series has presented the most recent compositions along with the established masterpieces of the recent past. The aim of Spectri Sonori is to introduce the New Orleans audience to the best works in the contemporary music literature and to encourage composers to create new works by offering an international composition competition and various special events in conjunction with the annual concert series. Among the grants the series has been awarded are grants from the French Government, Louisiana State Arts Council, Newcomb Foundation, Leonie D. Rothschild, Presser Foundation of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and a grant and a “Certificate of Excellence for Contribution to the Arts in the Greater New Orleans Community” from the David M. Metzner M.D. Foundation for the Arts.
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Since forming in 1998, Eight Strings & a Whistle has established itself as an innovative and exciting ensemble, with each of us drawing on our individual artistry to create our collective voice. Committed to expanding the repertoire for our unique combination, we have been captivating audiences nationwide, performing rare treasures of the Baroque, Classical and 20th and 21st century –– all originally composed for flute, viola and cello!
We collaborate regularly with composers from all over the world and pride ourselves on the success of our diverse programming.
Building on its advocacy for new music, Eight Strings & a Whistle launched its first Composer Competition in 2017. Held every two years, the Competition welcomes composers of all ages enrolled in an accredited degree program at the time of application. The First Prize is the New York Premiere of the winning composer’s work on our annual Fall concert. For more information please visit our 8SW Composer Competition page.
Since winning the Artists International Special Presentation Award and giving our critically acclaimed New York debut at Merkin Concert Hall in May, 2003, our appearances have included annual performances at the Tenri Cultural Institute in New York City, the Festival de Musica Contemporánea in Havana, Cuba, the Festival of New American Music in Sacramento, California, the Spectri Sonori series at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Stern Virtuoso Series at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, as well as numerous concerts throughout the United States.
Eight Strings & a Whistle can be heard on Albert’s Window, our debut recording released on the Ravello Records label, as well as 96 Strings and 2 Whistles, a recording of the music of Scott Brickman, and Chamber Symphonies 2,3 & 4, a recording of the music of Douglas Anderson, both also released by Ravello Records. We can also be heard on TULPE, a recording of music by Sarah Davol and GRAMMY-nominated artist Dawn Avery, released on Okenti Records in January, 2008.
