At their final 2007-2008 season concerts, Elemental Quartet, May 31 and June 1, WomenSing will announce the launch of a three year project that will include, in years two and three, a regional competition for young composers. For the first year two local young men, Ryan Harper, a Yale composition major and Jack Henry, currently studying in France have been commisioned to write new treble choral works. They will use the vivid body of nature-inspired poetry written by children from the River of Words collection. Libby Larsen, the dynamic, nationally acclaimed composer has agreed to be the Teaching Artist and will mentor the young composers. The works will be premiered by WomenSing and a children’s chorus in June of 2009. This is a unique project all driven by young artists. It is a cross pollination of art inspiring art by children and youth.

River Of Words (ROW) connects children, from kindergarten through high school, to nature and their watersheds to inspire their own poetry and art. ROW was founded by former Poet Laureate and 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Hass, and writer Pamela Michael in 1995 to enhance critical thinking, cultural awareness and environmentalism. Every year, in affiliation with The Library of Congress Center for the Book, ROW conducts an international poetry and art contest for children in grades K-12. In April, eight US winners, one international winner, and a “ROW Teacher of the Year” are honored (during National Poetry Month) at an Award Ceremony at The Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

Since 2003, art patrons have been able to view River of Words art at their gallery in Berkeley, Young at Art. And this year, a special exhibit of many winning works will be displayed at the WomenSing concert. More information on ROW can be obtained at www.riverofwords.org.

Nationally acclaimed composer, Libby Larson and WomenSing’s young composers, Jack Henry and Ryan Harper