Building Musical Bridges Through Collaboration

At Cedille Records, we believe that recording music is not just about documenting the virtuosity of our artists — it’s about creating lasting impact and sparking new opportunities. Time and again, we’ve seen how Cedille’s projects serve as a springboard for meaningful collaborations among composers, performers, and arts leaders. An illustrative recent example is the connection made last year at our 2024 Soirée Cedille gala, where acclaimed British composer Shirley Thompson met Blake-Anthony Johnson, then-President of the Chicago Sinfonietta. Dr. Thompson was in town for the world premiere performance (at our gala) and recording of her Dance of the Night Sky, the “title track” on Black Oak Ensemble’s May 2025 album release. That meeting between Dr. Thompson and the Sinfonietta planted the seed for an exciting new orchestral commission, furthering Dr. Thompson’s creative presence in Chicago and beyond.

For composers, having their work professionally recorded can be transformative. It allows them to share their music with orchestras, ensembles, and audiences around the world —beyond the limitations of a single live event. Chicago composers such as Stacy Garrop, Shawn Okpebholo, and Jim Stephenson have all shared how Cedille recordings of their work have broadened their reach, generating new commissions, invitations, and greater recognition. Stacy Garrop has credited her Cedille recordings with her ability to leave teaching and maintain a full-time freelance career. During the recording of Liquid Melancholy ― Clarinet Music of James M Stephenson, composer Jim Stephenson reflected:

Recordings for composers are extremely important. Our music does not get out there without a recording. I can’t tell you how many pieces I’ve written that nobody knows anything about, even if I think they’re my best pieces, just because I don’t have a recording of it.

Chicago Sinfonietta Music Director Mei-Ann Chen has described the impact a recording can have, noting that while a commissioned piece may be performed once or twice, a high-quality, well promoted recording ensures that the music lives on and reaches countless more listeners. This furthers the careers of both musicians and composers. A debut or featured recording is a milestone — a calling card that can define the artistry of the musicians, document a contemporary composer’s intended sound, and open doors to new collaborations and engagements for both.

Thanks to your support, Cedille makes these recordings possible — covering all production and promotional costs so that artists can focus on their music. Your generosity doesn’t just preserve performances; it creates momentum for careers, cultivates artistic community, and ensures that new voices in classical music are heard far and wide. Thank you for helping Cedille build these bridges.

You can hear the world premiere of Shirley J. Thompson’s new work commissioned by the Chicago Sinfonietta at their concerts celebrating women composers, in Naperville and Chicago, March 6 and 7, 2026.