World-Wide Concurrent Premieres

Founded in 1993, World-Wide Concurrent Premieres is a non-profit organization based on the established practice of joint commissions, in which new works are solicited by group of individuals or institutions who share the expenses and the prestige . WWCP is a network of committed professional musicians that chooses composers, and presents simultaneous world-premieres of the same work, world-wide.

The history of WWCP began in 1995 with a commission from the Pullitzer-Prize winning composer John Harbison. San Antonio enjoyed 43 simultaneous, same day premieres around the Globe, and very quickly had over 100 performances within that year, and thousands since. John Harbison subsequently became a board member of WWCP. Other commissions have included a Trio for horn, violin and piano by Yehudy Wyner which was a finalist for the Pullitzer Prize in 1998 and has become the composer's most frequently performed piece. Similarly, Gunther Schuller's Cello Sonata was performed 59 times in 2003, and his Sonata for Saxophone and Piano received 73 performances in the first year alone. These and other works have quickly established a firm place in the repertory: not only are they regularly performed but, thanks to the availability of scores and parts, are also frequently recorded.

Thanks to the uniqueness of the WWCP vision, the organization has received more than its share of publicity in recent years. Key to this success is the original concept of the 'simultaneous premiere', that is, performances of the same work by multiple performers in different locations.

In order to ensure the continued growth of the Arts, the members of WWCP feel that new music should be accessible to both players and listeners of all types, from enthusiastic high school students to members of professional ensembles, world-wide. For further information on participating in our current commission please contact Lauren.