Allentown Symphony Orchestra is launching a chamber music series.

“New Chamber Music Concert No. 1” will be presented, 7 p.m. Oct. 29, Peter Hall, Moravian University, Bethlehem.

“There are so many talented individuals writing exciting new music that I decided to create a new series to showcase these talented composers,” says Diane Wittry, Allentown Symphony Orchestra Musical Director and Conductor.

“Juried by our Composer-in-Residence Clarice Assad, we established the ‘New Chamber Music Series’ to support composers of all ages and abilities and our first call yielded an amazing number of submissions,” Wittry says.

A call for compositions comprising any combination of violin, cello, piano and clarinet was issued in summer 2024. Submissions were limited to seven minutes or less. Composers were to provide a full score, separate parts and an mp3 recording. In addition, the composer is required to be present for one rehearsal and the concert.

Says Assad, “I’m thrilled by the overwhelming response to our ‘New Music Call’ for scores. The diversity and quality of the submissions we received are truly inspiring.

“With over 60 applications, it was a challenge to select just 11 winners, but I believe we’ve curated an exceptional program that showcases the vibrant, innovative spirit of contemporary chamber music,” Assad says.

Competition winners include Eamon Bonner, Kaitlyn Borthwick, Calvin Deifer, Bettina Gray, Michael Leibowitz, Francis Rodriguez, Patrick Thompson, Max Vinetz, Nina Worsley and Albert Wen.

They have studied at Oberlin, Muhlenberg College, Peabody Conservatory, Princeton University, Susquehanna University, Moravian University and Southern Lehigh High School.

Winner-composer Albert Wen attends Southern Lehigh High School and has studied piano since 2018. In addition to piano recital performances, Wen is studying composition with Dr. Larry Lipkis, Moravian University Composer-in-Residence, and Bertha-Mae Starner, Moravian University Class of 2027, and Jay F. Starner, Moravian University Professor of Music.

Composition awards to Wen’s credit include the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Composition Competition (2020), National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Composers Contest National Award (2023) and the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association Keystone Composition Competition (2024). He has arranged pieces for celebrating the Chinese moon festival and other occasions or just for fun.

Wen enjoys video games and electronic music. His ‘New Music’ composition “intends to capture the glitchy and unsettling yet simultaneously nostalgic and ancestral ambience of ‘Around The Block: Warped Forest’ (2021) from the video game ‘Minecraft’ (2009).”

Adds Wen, “The work uses dissonance and a 5/8 meter, contrasted with a slow and pedaled section. Pay particular attention to the use of four different motifs developed across the piece.”

Brazilian-American Clarice Assad is a significant artistic voice in the classical, world music, pop and jazz genres. The Grammy-Award nominated composer, celebrated pianist, inventive vocalist and educator is acclaimed for her evocative colors, rich textures and diverse stylistic range.

Born in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Assad is one of the most widely-performed Brazilian concert music composers of her generation. The recipient of numerous honors and awards, including an Aaron Copland Award and several American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) awards in composition, she received a Bachelor of Music from Roosevelt University, Chicago, Ill., and a Master’s from the University of Michigan School of Music, Ann Arbor, Mich.

In the concert, the 11 composition winners’ pieces, plus a piece by Assad, will be performed by an ensemble of ASO musicians.

Says Assad: “Each piece brings something unique to this concert and I am particularly excited for audiences to experience these fresh voices alongside my own work ‘Elementos, Maré de Água.’ “

“This concert represents a beautiful confluence of emerging and established talent and I can’t wait to share it with our Allentown community.”

Allentown Symphony Orchestra presents “New Chamber Music Concert No.1,” 7 p.m. Oct. 29, Peter Hall, Moravian University, 348 Main St., Bethlehem. Free tickets for those age 21 and under. Tickets: box office; 610-432-6715; https://www.millersymphonyhall.org

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com