In 1948, a small, struggling, semi-professional orchestra in Louisville, Kentucky began a novel project to commission new works from contemporary composers around the world.

The Commissioning Project grew far beyond anyone’s expectations. In 1953, the orchestra received an unprecedented $400,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to commission 52 compositions a year for three years. The new works were to be performed in weekly concerts and recorded for sale by subscription. The international music world was astounded at both the recipient of the grant and the scope of the project.

You can read more if you click on the YouTube link below.

Man, I so wish we could do this. I’m just blown away by this story. I am sure many already know about this, but I sure didn’t!

Here is the film’s trailer:

WOW! And the MAYOR came up with this idea? How amazing is that? Can you imagine?!