Role

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Ensemble

 

Berkeley Contemporary Chamber Players (BCCP) is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1981 by a group of graduate students at the University of California, Berkeley. The ensemble's mission was to perform contemporary classical music and to promote the works of living composers. The founding members of BCCP were flutist Julie McKenzie, clarinetist David Ocker, violinist Karen Bentley, cellist Jennifer Culp, and pianist Karen Rosenak. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for their innovative programming and virtuosic performances, and they soon became a fixture in the Bay Area's classical music scene. Over the years, BCCP has had a rotating cast of members, but the ensemble has always maintained a commitment to performing contemporary classical music. Some of the ensemble's most notable members have included violinist Roy Malan, cellist Bonnie Hampton, and pianist Sarah Cahill. BCCP has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the Bay Area, including the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Berkeley Art Museum, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The ensemble has also performed at numerous festivals, including the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and the Other Minds Festival. One of BCCP's most notable performances was their 1991 concert at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, which featured the world premiere of John Cage's "Fourteen." The piece, which was written for BCCP, featured 14 musicians playing 14 different instruments, and it was performed in the museum's atrium, with the musicians scattered throughout the space. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to cement BCCP's reputation as one of the Bay Area's premier contemporary classical ensembles. BCCP has also been recognized for their recordings, which have received critical acclaim and numerous awards. In 1995, the ensemble's recording of Lou Harrison's "Rhymes with Silver" won a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance. The ensemble has also recorded works by other contemporary composers, including John Adams, Terry Riley, and Steve Reich. In addition to their performances and recordings, BCCP has also been committed to promoting the works of living composers. The ensemble has commissioned numerous new works over the years, and they have worked closely with composers such as John Cage, Lou Harrison, and Pauline Oliveros. BCCP has also been involved in educational outreach, and they have worked with students at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the University of California, Berkeley. The ensemble has also conducted workshops and masterclasses for young musicians, and they have been involved in community outreach programs. Despite the challenges faced by classical music ensembles in the 21st century, BCCP has continued to thrive. The ensemble has adapted to the changing landscape of the classical music industry, and they have continued to push the boundaries of contemporary classical music. With their commitment to innovation and their dedication to promoting the works of living composers, BCCP is sure to remain a fixture in the Bay Area's classical music scene for years to come.

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