What we do

GroundWork(s) is commissioning fifty two composers, from the fifty states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico, to write new works for harp in a solo or chamber setting. Each piece will be premiered in the hometown of the commissioned composer, in a concert of music that reflects the composer’s influences and tastes.

Why we do it

The mission of GroundWork(s) is twofold: to celebrate living composers through harp-centric commissions, and to pay homage to the communities that first supported them through hometown premieres.

For so many musicians, early support from family, friends, and local musical organizations provided them the encouragement needed for artistic growth and development. But the music world is transient, and musicians often focus on the global nature of their work. GroundWork(s) provides a platform to bring composers back to their early communities, showcasing the artistry of the composers in the cities that first supported them. Composers chosen reflect the diverse fabric of the United States, both musically and socially.

GroundWork(s) is the brainchild of Emily Levin, Principal Harpist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Believing in the importance of expanding both solo and chamber harp repertoire, and dedicated to fostering relationships between composers and musicians, Emily founded GroundWork(s) to promote collaborative relationships with a diverse group of American composers.