December 21, 2o22 Submitted by South Shore Conservatory
South Shore Conservatory (SSC) announces Dr. Sally Lamb McCune as the next composer-in-residence for its SSC Transform initiative, which uses music education as a vehicle for positive social change in our communities.
Now in its second cycle, SSC Transform centers around the annual commission of a new musical composition that explores a social justice topic. Conceptualized by Summer Music Festival (SMF) Managing Director & Artistic Partner Dr. Eric Laprade and SMF faculty member Dr. Lidia Chang, the program explores music’s role as a vehicle for social change and seeks to improve our communities through music creation, education, and performance. The program includes the commission of a teaching curriculum to accompany the composition, equipping music educators with the tools to effectively investigate the composition topic with students and audiences.
“Inspired by the success of our first cycle of SSC Transform, we are excited to have Dr. Sally Lamb McCune as our second commissioned composer,” said Laprade. “Sally’s passion for using music to raise awareness around important issues fits our program so well. Having conducted a number of Sally’s work at the collegiate level, I’m excited to bring her compositional voice to high school level ensembles. We believe now, more than ever, the arts are central to developing the next generation of empathetic, articulate, and reflective artist-citizens, and are delighted to be working with her on this project.”
Currently on faculty at Ithaca College, McCune has taught at Cornell University and Syracuse University. She has served as guest composer at institutions and festivals including Eastman School of Music, University of South Carolina, The College of New Jersey, South Shore Conservatory, Seal Bay Festival and Songfest, and as composer-in-residence in regional public schools in Syracuse and Ithaca. Her music continues to gain national and international recognition with performances across North America and Europe.
Educated at University of Toronto and California Institute of the Arts, McCune also earned an MFA and DMA from Cornell University. Her principal teachers include Steven Stucky, Roberto Sierra and Mel Powell. Her awards include a Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Whitaker New Reading Session from the American Composers Orchestra, grants from the New York Foundation for the Arts, New York State Fund Creation Grant, Meet the Composer, ASCAP, and the Aaron Copland Recording Fund.
She has received numerous commissions, including those from the New York State Music Teachers Association, Society for New Music, Cornell University Chorus, University of Georgia Wind Ensemble, Ensemble X, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Ariadne String Quartet, Eason Trio and Melodia Choir of NYC. Her work is published by G. Schirmer, Hal Leonard and Heritage Music Press.
McCune says she is looking forward to working with Summer Music Festival students this summer, prior to the premiere of her composition in the Carr Amphitheater, One Conservatory Drive, Hingham, on July 28, 2023. The performance is free and open to the public.
Learn more about South Shore Conservatory’s SSC Transform and its mission at SSC Transform – South Shore Conservatory (sscmusic.org) or find South Shore Conservatory on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.