Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame

Fifteen Minutes of Fame is 15 one-minute works by different composers written for a specific performer or ensemble.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame gives a variety of new music by living composers to audiences hungry to hear what is being created in today's music scene.

"...the 15 Minutes of Fame project of Vox Novus is a godsend. It organizes competitions whereby ensembles commission worldwide calls for submissions of approximately one-minute pieces, and then select their 15 favorites for premieres. The players, themselves emerging and without the funds for a traditional commission fee, get original works to present, while the likewise emerging composers get a chance for exposure and a premiere..." - Seth Gilman, NY Music Culture Examiner

Fifteen Minutes of Fame was designed by producer and composer Robert Voisey to create an opportunity for composers to get their works performed and heard by audiences around the world.

The presentation of fifteen works in a short amount of time allows for the performance of composers works who would not normally get programmed on a chamber concert.

" The obvious strength of that approach is that it allows many composers to gain exposure in a short time span. But there is also an esthetic benefit... Since the pieces are performed in quick succession and each has a character of its own, the audience is treated to a kaleidoscope of styles; in turn textural and tonal, avant-garde and neo-romantic... like the entire smorgasbord of contemporary idioms was playing a game of musical chairs, so to speak, and the effect was thrilling. "- Damjan Rakonjac, Artificialist

Since the beginning of the project, there have been more than 60 calls for scores for different musicians and ensembles ranging from solo piano to string quartets, brass quintets and harp ensemble. A list of the musicians and ensembles who have participated can be found on the Fifteen Minutes of Fame Musician Page. The variety and quality of the musicians exemplifies Fifteen Minutes of Fame's organization and popularity.

The Fifteen Minutes of Fame project endeavors to record and archive all of its performances. You can see and hear past performances on the playlists located on the Fifteen Minutes of Fame Video Page

There are usually multiple calls for works for several different ensembles at any given time. A living composer has many opportunities to write a new work to receive a world premiere. The Fifteen Minutes of Fame calls are announced far in advance to allow for composers to germinate an idea and well craft their score. A full list of current writing opportunities for composers can be found on the Call for Works' Page

More than 600 composers have been chosen to have their works premiered. The composers selected are from more than 30 countries around the world; their compositional style and aesthetic are as diverse as the different cultures they represent. A list of composers who have been selected can be found on the Fifteen Minutes of Fame Composer Page.

There have been over 60 performances of Fifteen Minutes of Fame. Besides premiering the works which are selected, close to half of the performances are encores of the sets of 15 performed by the original performers or by other performers who are inspired to play the works. Most of the premieres happen on the Composer's Voice concert series in New York City but Fifteen Minutes of Fame has also premiered its sets of 15 in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., Rio de Janeiro, Bremen, Tel Aviv, Bucharest, and many other cities across the globe. Upcoming performances can be found on the Fifteen Minutes of Fame Calendar Page.