The Pasadena Chorale has announced a significant partnership with The Collegiate Choral Composition Community (The CCCC) as part of the Chorale’s 10th annual “Listening to the Future” program. This collaboration aims to expand opportunities for emerging composers and celebrate the program’s decade-long commitment to fostering musical talent.
Since its inception, “Listening to the Future” has provided local high school composers with mentorship from professional composers, enabling them to create original choral works. These pieces are performed and recorded by the award-winning Pasadena Chorale, offering invaluable experience and exposure to young artists. To commemorate the program’s 10th anniversary, the Chorale will enhance its initiative by collaborating with The CCCC, recognized as the country’s most comprehensive catalog of choral music composed by students.
As part of this partnership, The CCCC will issue a call for scores to collegiate composers nationwide. Together, the Pasadena Chorale and The CCCC will select outstanding works to feature in this year’s expanded “Listening to the Future” concert, scheduled for June 20, 2026.
Celebrating New Talent and Musical Innovation
For the first time, the concert will be structured into two acts. The first act will showcase original compositions from local high school students, while the second act will present selected original works from college composers across the nation. This act will also include popular selections from previous years of “Listening to the Future.” Selected college composers will have the opportunity to attend the concert in Pasadena, where they will hear their music performed live and receive a professional recording of their piece.
In a press release, Jeffrey Bernstein, Founding Artistic and Executive Director of the Pasadena Chorale, expressed his excitement about the program’s growth over the past decade. He stated, “I am amazed at how far ‘Listening to the Future’ has come over the past decade. It has been inspiring to watch the students of our program grow into confident, creative composers. Many of them have gone on to pursue music at top universities and are already finding success as composers in their own right. This new partnership with The CCCC is a natural progression for the program, as it allows us to continue championing emerging voices by now bringing the work of collegiate composers to the stage.”
The sentiment was echoed by Sammy Strent, founder and CEO of The CCCC, who remarked, “The CCCC is thrilled to be collaborating with the Pasadena Chorale on Listening to the Future. We are excited to be able to provide collegiate composers with this opportunity to work with such a high-caliber ensemble that is passionate about bringing new music to life.”
This partnership not only enhances the existing program but also aligns with the Pasadena Chorale’s mission to promote and support emerging musical talent. By bridging the gap between high school and collegiate composers, the Chorale fosters a vibrant community of creators ready to make their mark in the world of choral music.
As preparations for the concert unfold, the Pasadena Chorale and The CCCC are set to create a memorable event that celebrates the innovation and creativity of the next generation of composers.
