By Mike Romero
When last we spoke with Provo composer Andrew Maxfield, we discussed the lessons he learned from being the composer-in-residence at Southern Virginia University. Now we’re seeing why he was offered such a position in the first place: his composition (I’ve Got) Questions About Heaven has made it to the semi-finals of the WorldVision Composers Contest.
The competition is presented by CLASSIC@HOME, a digital platform for artistic exchange created in March of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The service initially served to make classical concerts available online during lockdown. The German company has continued to offer competitions, educational resources, and booking resources since then.
The grand prize winner of the competition will receive 10, 000 €. The winner’s composition will be performed by Nova Orchester Wien (NOW!), conducted by William Garfield Walker, during the final concert of the Worldvision Music Contest in the Konzerthaus Vienna in Vienna, Austria.
Maxfield wrote his piece for and about his grandparents. “They were the world’s best cheerleaders when my siblings and I were young and learning music,” he says. “In fact, they probably came to more shows at Velour in their 70’s and 80’s than most people my age and younger do! In the piece, you’ll hear different vignettes representing my memories and feelings and questions. Hearing this piece in Vienna would be a total delight and would be a way to celebrate the memory of these people I loved (and love) so much.”
Andrew Maxfield already won the regional and national portions of the competition and is representing the United States during the international semi-finals. Winning the popular vote increases Maxfield’s chances of moving on to the finals. Join us in supporting a talented local composer by voting for him here. Take a screenshot once you voted and show it to Pioneer Book in downtown Provo for a buy one get one free deal. You can hear (I’ve Got) Questions About Heaven below.
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