Project 21

Founded in 1997 by a group of OCU composers, Project 21: Music of the 21st Century is committed to bringing original musical works to life. As students strive to gain insight into the working knowledge of music, they each draw from their cultural and musical backgrounds to enrich the program. Project 21 composers learn through experience, developing compositional techniques that allow them to express their authentic selves.

Over the past twenty-four years, over 1,300 works – from solo pieces to sacred music to dance works to world music to multimedia presentations to classic chamber music to theatrical events to compositions for full orchestra – written by OCU composers from five continents have been premiered on campus.

This commitment to the creation and performance of contemporary OCU-created works has placed student composers at the hub of an incubator of activity.

Regular performances provide the incentive to experiment and the opportunity to hear their works played by skilled musicians and ensembles. The OCU Symphony Orchestra regularly reads and records student compositions. A sense of musical community results as Project 21 composers work with singers, dancers, actors, choreographers, writers, and instrumentalists to bring 21st-century works to life.