Dinah Dodds Fund for the creation of new art
Supporting the creation of new art by the voices of today
ABOUT THE FUND
The Dinah Dodds Fund for the Creation of New Art memorializes Dinah Dodds, President of the Board of Directors of Resonance Ensemble, who served on the board from 2014 until her death in 2019. Under Dinah’s devoted leadership, the organization developed its social justice focus and commissioned multiple major new choral works (listed below).
In tribute to Dinah, contributions to this fund shall support the creation of new art (music, visual art, and poetry), as prioritized by the artistic leadership of Resonance Ensemble. “Creation of New Art” can include commissioning and co-commissioning, premiering, and/or professionally recording (audio/video) works by living artists.
About | COMMISSIONING
A core focus of Resonance Ensemble is the commissioning of new works. With over 25 commissioned works of music and poetry (along with other texts), Resonance Ensemble’s efforts have grown exponentially since the institution of the Dinah Dodds Fund in 2020. Whether commissioning, or maximizing a work’s reach and support through the act of co-commissioning, Resonance Ensemble develops long-lasting relationships with each of the artists we commission—building relationships and providing support long past the delivery of the score. Your contribution to the fund directly supports these commissions, allowing us to pay living artists a fair wage for their work and leaving a lasting musical legacy for choirs and audiences worldwide.
About | LIVE PREMIERES
We believe that no composer should be prevented from attending the premiere of their work due to financial constraints. Your contribution allows us to bring living artists to witness these landmark moments, work directly with the musicians who are premiering their piece, and share their stories with our community.
About | RECORDING
Through the Resonance Ensemble Access Project (REAP), Resonance continues our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality videos of our performances. In addition to sharing powerful pieces by the established composers of our generation, Resonance also captures the premiere of brand new works by today’s rising stars.
While REAP covers the sharing of these materials on our YouTube channel, the Dinah Dodds Fund allows us to create studio-quality recordings of these important works that need support to reach listeners everywhere. Your contribution to the fund allows us to not only commission new pieces of music, but to do the vital work necessary in capturing and sharing recordings, to ensure these works are not forgotten.
Happening now
Dave Ragland, composer
NEW COMMISSIONS
IN-PROGRESS
Check back soon for more information!
Freddy Vilches, composer
RecordingS
While we are still celebrating the recent launch of our debut album, LISTEN, Resonance Ensemble is already recording a brand new CD!
Consisting solely of Resonance Ensemble commissioned works, SAFE HARBOR reflects our commitment to the performance and recording of work by the voices of today. Check back soon for more details on this exciting new project!
OTHER PROJECTS
Artistic Director Dr. Katherine FitzGibbon with artists featured over our last 15 seasons (back row L to R: Stacey Philipps, Dr. S. Renee Mitchell, Kimberly Osberg, Freddy Vilches, Darrell Grant, Judy A. Rose; front frow L to R: Joe Kye, Cecille Elliott, Dr. Katherine FitzGibbon, Renée Favand-See)
In our 2023-24 season, Resonance Ensemble celebrates 15 years of commissioning, premiering, recording, and performing powerful music by the voices of today. You can read a full press release about our end of year campaign in support of the Dinah Dodds Fund at the link here.
The Dinah Dodds Fund for the Creation of New Art helps us pass the mic to those with something to share with listeners like you—here and now.
Join us in supporting the creation of these timely and powerful works, and help us shape a better world through their performance and recording.
Past Commissions and Projects
Supported by the Dinah Dodds Fund
A full list of the projects, collaborations, commissions, and professional recordings made possible by the Dinah Dodds Fund for the Creation of New Art. A ** indicates a co-commissioned project.
2024
From the Book of Sankofa | SSAATTBB + piano + cello + narrator
composer, Darrell Grant | poetry, A. Mimi Sei
2023
LISTEN | debut album of commissions, premieres, and other voices of today
conductor, Katherine FitzGibbon | recorded by the Rye Room
Shout Out! | SSAATTBB + cello
composer, Kenji Bunch | poetry, A. Mimi Sei
RE-FLEC | spoken word soloist + SSAATTBB + string quartet and piano
composer, Judy A. Rose | poetry, Vin Shambry
Seek What You Want to Find | SSSAAATTBB + string quartet
composer, Kimberly R. Osberg | poetry, S. Renee Mitchell
We Are Murmurs | SATB a capella
music and lyrics, Cecille Elliott
2022
An African American Requiem | SATB soloists + spoken word soloist + chorus and symphony orchestra
composer, Damien Geter | additional text by S. Renee Mitchell | foreward by A. Mimi Sei
Abya Yala Choral Suite** | choir + piano (+ optional ensemble)
composer, Freddy Vilches | texts by Elicura Chihuailaf Nahuelpán (Mapudungun), Estela Gamero López (Aymara), Julieta Zurita Cavero (Quechua), Rosa Chávez (Maya K’iche’), and Gustavo Zapoteco Sideño (Nahuatl)
2021
Normal Never Was | SATB a capella
composer, Jasmine Barnes
We Hold Your Names Sacred** | SATB choir + piano
composer, Mari Esabel Valverde
2020
Safe Harbor | solo voice + SATB chorus + violin + percussion
music and lyrics, Joe Kye
About Dinah Dodds
