CC Composers in Residence

Choral Chameleon is deeply committed to bringing new choral work to life and we are diehard champions of living composers. In addition to cultivating new compositions and arrangements from within the singing membership of the choirs, themselves, as well as during the Summer Institute, there are year-long residencies for composers whose work aligns especially well with the values and mission of the company.

The Composer-in-Residence is a position that is filled by invitation of the Artistic Director as needed (usually every two years). During the residency, the composer works closely with the AD in the planning and creation of an entire concert season (1 year - August through June) and writes new works for each concert on that season's program which are based on the overarching themes selected by the AD. The texts for the new compositions are co-selected by both. The resident is present in NYC for the premieres of all the new works, and often gives pre or post-concert talks and Q&A sessions. CIRs have often joined the Institute faculty, and all have continuing relationships with the organization.

Choral Chameleon's Composer-in-Residence program was extensively featured in 2020 Winter Edition of Chorus America's 'The Voice' Magazine, where you can read more perspective from Choral Chameleon's Founding Artistic Director Vince Peterson. (That's us on the cover!)

Composers in Residence

Dale Trumbore (18-19)

Rex Isenberg (16-17)

Adam Ward (13-14)

Joseph Gregorio (11-12)

Jeffrey Parola (09-10)

Read about our CIR Program in Chorus America's Magazine, "The Voice"

The Next Resident is Announced!

Mari Esabel Valverde

is named 2022-2023 Composer-In-Residence with Choral Chameleon

Award-winning composer and singer Mari Esabel Valverde (b. 1987) has been commissioned by the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choruses, and Boston Choral Ensemble among others and has appeared with Dallas Chamber Choir, Vox Humana, and EXIGENCE (Detroit). She was a featured composer at the 2016 Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses Festival, where her “Our Phoenix” was premièred by six collective ensembles from the United States and Canada. Her works are published by earthsongs and Walton Music and self-published.

Fluent in Spanish and French, she actively studies Brazilian Portuguese and Swedish. She has translated numerous vocal works and documents including a phonetic guide of Ravel’s opera L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. Based in North Texas, she taught voice at the high school level for over six years. Her former students have participated in All-State Choirs and State Solo Competition. She currently teaches singing and transgender voice training with Your Lessons Now.

She holds degrees from St. Olaf College, the European American Musical Alliance in Paris, France, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the American Composers Forum, and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.

Learn More about Mari