The Capital Hearings Announce Winner of the 2025 Young Composers Competition
WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 19, 2025 — The Capital Hearings are happy to announce composer Shane Scott Cook as the winner of its 11th Annual Young Composers Competition. His original work, speak, responds to this year’s theme by focusing on the uncertainty, turmoil, and shifting ideals in today’s climate.
The piece will receive its world premiere at The Capital Hearings’ fall concert, Keep the Faith, on October 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
In a statement accompanying his submission, Cook wrote that speak was created as a personal reminder—and a collective call—to action. “Each day, it seems there are new attacks from those in power on different groups of people—stripping rights, denying access, and making this country increasingly inhospitable for so many,” he shared. “I wrote speak as a reminder to myself, and everyone else, that even acknowledging and speaking out against these injustices can help move society in a positive direction.”
Musically, the piece incorporates textures meant to feel mesmerizing and overwhelming, symbolizing the constant flood of information from social media and the news.
Shane Scott Cook is a composer, performer, and interdisciplinary artist. More about his work can be found at www.shanescottcook.com.
SAVE THE DATE
Mark your calendar for The Capital Hearings’ fall concert, Keep the Faith, on October 25 at Live! at 10th & G! Experience an unforgettable evening of powerful vocal music that speaks to resilience, unity, and the courage to create change—featuring the world premiere of speak, winner of our 11th Annual Young Composers Competition.
About Shane Scott Cook
Shane Scott Cook (b. 1994) is a composer, performer, and songwriter whose work explores themes of community, connection, nature, and the queer experience. His music, shaped by an eclectic background as a classical percussionist, jazz singer, folk enthusiast, and musical theater aficionado, has been commissioned and performed by ensembles and artists such as Del Sol Quartet, Salastina, Stare at the Sun, Consonance, LYNX Project, Duo Cortona, New Jersey Percussion Ensemble, and Hindustani vocalist Saili Oak.
Currently, Shane is Teaching Artist-in-Residence with the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music in Boonville, California (2023-25), developing new curricula in percussion, piano, composing, and songwriting for public school students in Anderson Valley Unified School District. Upcoming commissions include a new work for Quintet Attacca for EarTaxi Festival 2025 and a song cycle for tenor and piano through Boston Singers’ Resource and Catalyst New Music’s 2025 “FUSE: Collaborations in Song!” program.
Shane served as Composer-in-Residence for Del Sol Quartet’s 2025 Chamberfest and as a 2024 Sounds Promising Young Composer Fellow with Salastina. Other recent highlights include the 2025 Dragon Prize in Choral Music from Minnesota State University Moorhead, first prize at Fourth Coast Ensemble’s 2024 Chicago SongSlam, and the premiere of his song cycle The Distance Between, by soprano Lindsay Kesselman, conductor Marc Sosnowchik, and the University of Texas at Austin’s New Music Ensemble.
In Fall 2025, Shane will begin doctoral studies in composition at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.
Learn more about Shane by visiting his website at shanescottcook.com
About the Capital Hearings
The Capital Hearings is a dynamic vocal ensemble based in Washington, D.C., known for its diverse repertoire that spans classical, contemporary, jazz, and pop genres. With a mission to transcend traditional boundaries and engage audiences through innovative and eclectic performances, The Capital Hearings have established themselves as a leading force in the world of vocal music.
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Media Contact:
Cristina Lopez
info@thecapitalhearings.com