ADJ•ective New Music •

Composers' Guide to the Galaxy

We find inspiration in the stars and thanks to our performance partners, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the creativity of our Composers' Collective, we are thrilled to include special collections of works inspired by the scientific properties of our solar system and beyond. Started by the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, in celebration of the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024,  we plan to expand our collection of math and science inspired works. Check back often for new scores, recordings, and notes... our own guide to the expanding universe as we know it. 

Toledo Symphony Orchestra

In March 2024 the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and in partnership with the University of Toledo Department of Physics and Astronomy, launched the "Orchestra's Guide to the Galaxy." This commissioning project resulted in ...of the spheres..., ​a work consisting of nine movements, each written by different composers, inspired by the scientific properties of the planets (and Pluto) in our Solar System. Read the full press release.

...of the spheres...
Triptych I • Sphere of Curiosity

I. Mercury: Bringing Dualities into Harmony • Cynthia
​Van Maanen
II. Uranus: One Lifetime • Hong-Da Chin
​III. Mars: Curiosity and Perseverance • Andrea Reinkemeyer

Triptych II • Sphere of Discovery

IV. Pluto: The Outcast • Andrew Martin Smith
V. Venus: The Reversal • Anne Neikirk
VI. Saturn: A Cross Section • Alex Temple

Triptych III • Sphere of Voyagers

VII. Neptune: The Unknown • Daijana Wallace
VIII. Earth: The Spark • Robert McClure
IX. Jupiter: Bringing Chaos into Orbit • Jamie Leigh Sampson
This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov


Exclusivity period for these works ends March 23, 2025.​

Special thanks to Dr. Michael Cushing and Dr. Heidi Westrick at University of Toledo not only for teaching us about each of our planets (and Pluto), but also for being "on call" throughout the composing process for fact checking and deeper dives into the details of our star system. 

Cleveland Orchestra of Tennessee

The Cleveland Orchestra of Tennessee will continue our orchestral Triptychs in 2025

Ohio Music Teachers' Association

Robert McClure's work Celestial Miniatures was commissioned for Emely Phelps by the Ohio Music Teachers' Association. Rob went on to win the Music Teachers National Association Distinguished Composer or the Year Award in 2023 for Celestial Miniatures​.