Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra Announces Winners for the Kaleidoscope Initiative Call for Scores

After careful review of many fantastic works, we are thrilled to introduce the composers that have been selected for the Kaleidoscope Initiative Call for Scores! We look forward to presenting and recording their works in Philadelphia on July 25. Read more about the selected composers:

Kevin Arthur Jr.
As They Dance in the Wind

Kevin Arthur Jr. (b. 2004) is an emerging composer and instrumentalist from Philadelphia. Influenced profoundly by his father, a versatile touring bassist, and his mother, a dedicated worship leader and choir director, Kevin grew up immersed in a diverse musical environment that deeply shaped his artistic sensibilities and commitment to music.

Currently, Kevin is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition at the prestigious Juilliard School. His early musical development was significantly enhanced by his participation in the Philadelphia All-City Fellowship and his education at The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, where he honed both his technical skills and artistic vision.

Kevin’s musical style is characterized by a sophisticated blend of contemporary and classical influences, marked by powerful infusions of jazz and a deeply romantic essence. His compositions demonstrate remarkable versatility and adaptability, reflecting his passion for the creative freedom and collaborative spirit fostered in music.

With a dedication to contribute meaningfully to the contemporary music landscape, Kevin aims to craft innovative compositions and performances that resonate with both traditional and modern audiences alike. As he continues to evolve as an artist, Kevin remains steadfast in his commitment to exploring new musical horizons and sharing his distinctive voice with the world.

Courtney Evans
Cloud Sprawl

Born in Los Angeles, California, Courtney Evans began studying both music and computer graphics at an early age. In high school and at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, he composed concert works, incidental music for plays, and a ballet in collaboration with Donald Byrd. He went on to study composition at Juilliard with Stephen Albert and Robert Beaser, where his works included Menagerie, a large-scale song cycle for soprano and orchestra. In the field of computer graphics, he has contributed design, art, and technology to several award-winning games, including Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. He has recently focused on honing an emotionally direct, lyrical, and colorful composing style with underlying thematic and structural depth. His recent orchestral and chamber works reflect a wide variety of influences, including minimalism, medieval music, film soundtracks, Sondheim, and sludge metal.

Joshua Foy
Couplet for String Orchestra

Joshua is a Los Angeles based composer and pianist. As a pianist he has worked with composers such as Derek Bermel and Mark Trayle and performed at various venues such as REDCAT located at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Joshua composed and directed the music to the theater production Piedra del Sol by director and playwright Maria Morett, which was put up at the Getty Villa. He has also music directed the original musical In Bermuda! by playwright David Largman Murray and composer Bobby Halvorson which featured such actors as Bryce Dallas Howard and Josh Gad. He has written music in a variety of genres including film scores to films like Mamitas, Jewsus, The Newest Pledge, and (Romance) in the Digital Age. Joshua has recently conducted the west coast premiere of Leslie Burrs’ “I Can’t Breathe” with POP! Opera in Los Angeles. He is also an orchestrator, arranger, transcriber and copyist. Joshua is currently a professor of music theory and history at the Young Americans College of the Performing Arts.