The Mississippi Valley Orchestra’s Foreground Composer Series launched in 2021 to expand representation in classical music programming. The concept first emerged in 2018, when the MVO board adopted a set of artistic commitments to reflect the diversity of the human experience, across culture, era, gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and religion. Around that time, Artistic Director Ho-Yin Kwok had already begun incorporating works by historically underrepresented composers, including George Walker’s Lyric for Strings and two dances from Elizabeth Maconchy’s Puck Fair. The following season extended this work with performances of music by Germaine Tailleferre and Ethel Smyth.

Kwok proposed an innovative approach: to foreground one underrepresented composer by programming their work(s) throughout the season. He pointed out that audiences connect deeply with familiar composers like Beethoven not only because of quality, but because of repeated exposure. With enthusiastic support from the board, the Foreground Composer Series was born.

Though delayed by the pandemic, the inaugural season in 2021 featured the music of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, followed by a season devoted to Ruth Gipps. or musicians and audiences alike, the opportunity to become familiar with a composer’s voice over an entire season has been deeply enriching. While challenges remain — such as limited access to scores and parts — the rewards are undeniable. The series expanded the orchestra’s and audience’s repertoire in meaningful ways, introducing rarely performed works that deserve to be heard. MVO has premiered several U.S. and regional performances, and musicians have reported recognizing a composer’s style in works outside the season’s program, something that would have been unlikely before. Representation is what makes recognition possible.

Now under the leadership of Artistic Director Kornel Thomas, the Foreground Composer Series continues to thrive — deepening musical connection, broadening horizons, and helping to shape a more inclusive and representative concert tradition.