CGOA Honor: LA composer named first Jim McMillan Prize winner

The prize was named after, and in memory of, local musician and past CGOA President Jim MacMillan. Dr. MacMillan worked in the mental health field, but his passion was music and was a noted singer/songwriter and guitarist, performing around the Mid-Columbia.

“I proposed to the CGOA Board that we honor Jim’s memory by promoting new and original music,” said Steighner. “The intention is that each time the prize is offered, it will be for a different genre of music — choral, orchestral, jazz, etc. Our focus this year was on choral composition, and was open only to women composers.”

The new composition, “Sub tuum praesidium” will be premiered by the CGOA Voci Choir in April as part of a pair of concerts dedicated to female composers of the 20th century. Gordon’s composition uses an ancient Latin hymn text.

Gordon lives and works in the Los Angeles area, where she is composer-in-residence for the Nova Vocal Ensemble. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University and Cal State Long Beach, she has created music in a wide range of genres and styles. In addition to composing classical and choral music, she is also an active media composer and singer-songwriter. She composes for films and web broadcasts. Her song, “One Door Opens,” was named a finalist in the International SongDoor Songwriting competition.

Voci’s April concerts on April 25 at 7:30 p.m. and April 28 at 2 p.m. are part of a full season by a number of CGOA Ensembles, and Gordon’s piece is just one of three premieres taking place in 2019, said a press release.

For complete information, head to gorgeorchestra.org.