Winning Scores: A Showcase of Emerging Composers

Name: Winning Scores: A Showcase of Emerging Composers
Start: 2025-10-26T15:00:00-07:00
Location: Garre Vineyard & Winery

Schedule

Sun, 26 Oct, 2025 at 03:00 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

Garre Vineyard & Winery | Livermore, CA

Experience a concert like no other — one that combines breathtaking new music, gorgeous vineyard views, and a chance to meet the rising stars shaping tomorrow’s musical landscape.
You’ll be the first to hear five stunning world premieres, hand-picked by an esteemed panel for their beauty, emotion, and resonance.
The music is fresh yet relatable — composed by some of the most gifted young artists in the country, all in their 20s and 30s. These are not experimental soundscapes or abstract exercises; they are vivid, heartfelt works that reflect the composers’ lives, dreams, and cultural roots.
You’ll sit in the scenic and intimate Bella Rosa Ballroom at Garré Vineyard & Winery, where wine is available for purchase to sip during the concert, basking in PCO’s famously lush sound of “music painted in bright bold colors,” for a uniquely immersive experience.
Afterward, join us for cookies, coffee/tea, and an engaging Q&A with the composers!
There is also the special opportunity to attend our 5th anniversary Gala Dinner with the composers, where you’ll enjoy conversation, fine cuisine, and share treasured moments. Gala tickets must be purchased in advance. Capacity is limited! Gather your friends early to secure your seats for an unforgettable afternoon.
Location and tickets:
Sunday, October 26th 3:00 PM at Bella Rosa, Garré Vineyard & Winery, 7986 Tesla Road, Livermore CA
🎟️ Tickets: Adults $40 | Students discounted to $10 | Combined Concert and Gala Dinner $165 by Oct. 22
Still unsure about “new music”? Keep reading there’s more to discover!
“It is a thrill to being the first to hear these premieres, unveiled for and to you,” says Music Director Lawrence Kohl. “You’re not just listening—you’re making history, your attendance and interests are essential in helping to launch these emerging star composers who will shape the future and directions of classical orchestral music.”
Featuring these talented emerging composers:
• Sepehr Pirasteh, winner of the $5,000 DuPree Prize
• Jahan Raymond, whose viral piano works have reached millions worldwide
• Ty Bloomfield, fresh from national awards and festival performances
• Daniel Reza Sabzghabaei, an internationally commissioned voice exploring time and tradition
• Yangfan Xu, Juilliard-trained innovator with commissions across the U.S.
✨ Announcing the 2025 DuPree Commission Winner: Sepehr Pirasteh
“The DuPree Prize is in memory of my husband Hollis Hutchson Bascom who was passionate about classical music and the creation of art. Through PCO’s Winning Scores, I have come to better understand and appreciate the breath, depth and diversity of living music. So moved, I continue to follow them as their careers evolve. Listening carefully with a curious- and open mind- is needed in our world now more than ever.” – Susan DuPree, Ph.D.
An esteemed panel of judges, choosing from over 120 program applicants, has awarded the first ever $5,000 DuPree Prize Commission to Sepehr Pirasteh for PCO’s 5th Anniversary of Winning Scores. Sepehr’s new work will premiere on this program. Born in Shiraz, Iran, and based in Philadelphia, Sepehr blends Persian classical and folk music with modern orchestral styles. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Temple University, and his works have been commissioned by major ensembles including the Illinois Philharmonic and American Composers Orchestra.
“Winning Scores has given me the rare chance to hear my music performed by a such a dedicated conductor and exceptional orchestra and receive essential feedback. This award fuels my passion to write more orchestral music that speaks to audiences.” -Sepehr Pirasteh.
🎧 Still unsure about “new music”? Perhaps not after you read this!
“Winning Scores” isn’t experimental or intimidating — it’s immersive, inviting, and genuinely exciting as:
Melody matters. These works are crafted to draw you in — with emotion, color, and musical storytelling you can follow and feel.
You’re inside the music. Performed in the intimate Garre Winery Ballroom, this is no distant stage — the orchestra surrounds you with sound, and you feel part of the ensemble.
You get the inside story. Before each piece, Maestro Kohl introduces what to listen for — giving you a personal entry point into every premiere.
You meet the rising stars. These are tomorrow’s great composers — and you get to hear their music, meet them in person, and discover what drives them.
You help shape the future. The composers are listening too. Your reactions and questions in the post-concert Q&A give them insight that influences their work going forward.
This is not just a concert. It’s a shared journey — where new music becomes personal, exciting, and unforgettable. Come curious. Leave inspired.