Cleveland composers connection

2026 COMPOSERS CONCERT

This annual event showcases works of Northeast Ohio composers and their compositions

featuring the flute, either solo or in chamber ensembles.  The Greater Cleveland Flute Society invites Cleveland area composers to participate in the annual concert featuring local composers. This concert is an opportunity for area composers to showcase their flute compositions to an interested audience of flutists and fans of new music. Applications are open until December 31, 2025.  

 ~free and open to the public~

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Judson Manor

1890 E 107th St. 

Cleveland, OH 44106

7 p.m. 

The Greater Cleveland Flute Society invites Cleveland area composers to participate in the annual concert featuring local composers. This concert is an opportunity for area composers to showcase their flute compositions to an interested audience of flutists and fans of new music. Composers are invited to submit compositions for consideration using the following guidelines:

• Composers must have a Cleveland Connection: current or previous residence in the Cleveland/N.E. Ohio area including college attendance.
• Composers from any area who have been commissioned by a Cleveland area flutist may submit their compositions.
• Compositions must include flute as the primary voice: flute solo, flute and piano, flute ensemble, or flute and other instruments. Flute ensembles are encouraged, flute duets, trios, quartets, flute choir, with or without piano. Piccolo, alto flute, and bass flute may be included. 
• Composers may submit up to 3 compositions.
• Performers will be selected from the membership of GCFS and the GCFS Executive Board.
• Compositions will be selected to provide a well-balanced program.
• GCFS may perform all or select movements of the composition.
• Compositions may have been previously performed. 
• Submissions must be received by December 31, 2025; notification will be by February 1, 2026
• All submissions become property of the Greater Cleveland Flute Society.

Composers may send the application, a high quality mp3 and a copy of the score to:

  https://www.dropbox.com/request/meCVWAwqbuZDyV2D49MO

Download the application form and email your submission before December 31, 2025. 

2026's program featured  seven premiere perofmances by composers Ryan Charles Ramer, Sebastian Birch, Gabrielle Oke, Sami Seif, Owen Axelberd,  Pablo Gomez-Sandro, and Brian Taylor.

PROGRAM: 

** indicates premiere performance 

Homage to Haydn for 4 C Flutes** 

Ryan Charles Ramer

Andrea Boldon, Linda Innes,

Kate Smith, Bonnie Svetlik – flutes

Dance from Duplicate Threads** 

Sebastian Birch

Martha Somach, flute

Sara Lambert, alto flute

Sketches of Autumn** 

Gabrielle Oke

Julianna Sabo, flute

Madeline Levitz, piano

Ritha’ ** 

Pablo Gómez-Sandro

Kaleb Chesnic, bass flute

Rhapsodic Reflections

Sami Seif

Dylan Masariego, flute

Jiaxuan Bao, piano

INTERMISSION 

Two Reflections

Owen Axelberd

Kelly Wilson, flute

Nilli Tayidi, viola

Yellow** 

Brian Taylor

Linda Miller, flute

Rae Yeager, alto flute

Eva Belmont, piano

Purple** 

Brian Taylor

Bryan Kennard, alto flute

Eva Belmont, piano

Migrations** 

Sebastian Birch

III. Adagio Underground

II. House of Cards

Rebecca Chen, Kaleb Chesnic, Bryan Kennard, Sara Lambert, Dylan Masariego, Linda Miller, Dawn Schwartz, Martha Somach, Cathy Spicer, Sydney Vereb – flutes