DMF: Composers in Del Mar

During the first eight days of August, the concert music scene in Del Mar centered around the Del Mar International Composers Symposium (DMICS).  Composers, performing artists, and students-in-residence workshopped and performed new concert music pieces.  Founded in 2019 by composer and Del Mar resident Jordan Kuspa, DMICS now is in its seventh season. 

In Jordan’s words, “the Del Mar International Composers Symposium is designed to allow composers and performers a space to collaborate intimately on the creation and presentation of new works, while inviting the public to experience that process first-hand.’’

Multiple performances and a special evening talk occurred throughout the week with the public invited for free or low-cost ticketed events.  The artistic performers included Hub New Music (one of the leading contemporary musical ensembles), Lyyra (all woman vocal ensemble), i/O String Quartet, and Tasha Koontz (operatic vocal).  Cellist Shannon Hayden brought a humanizing touch to classical composition and performance when she spoke very passionately about her career path and goals of connecting people to nature through music.

This year’s DMICS composition faculty have national and international acclaim. Texu Kim, Polina Nazaykinsakaya, Juri Seo, Daniel Wohl, and Jordan Kuspa led this year’s students to produce and perform original works. These pieces were professionally recorded and available for the students’ use in their professional portfolios.

The Del Mar Foundation is proud to have been the leading sponsor for the program over the last seven years. DMICS is another example of why we cherish our Del Mar community.