KMFA Classical 89.5 announces Chicago-based, Brazilian-American female composer Clarice Assad as the 2023 Draylen Mason Composer-in-Residence. 

A mini-documentary featuring Clarice Assad’s residency at Austin’s KMFA Classical Station in 2023. Assad mentored students from Akins High School, the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, and Armstrong Community Music School. Students at the conservatory of Draylen Mason’s alma mater, East Austin Prep, participated in VOXploration, Assad’s workshop experience that includes interactive exercises in which participants come together to make music by creating sound. As part of the initiative, KMFA, Classical 89.5 in Austin, Texas, has commissioned a new orchestral work entitled “Baião N’ Blues” for its 2023 Draylen Mason Composer-in-Residence initiative. The premiere happened on September 24th, 2023, featuring the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the esteemed Douglas Kinney Frost. This heartfelt composition is dedicated to Lou Ann and Bill Lasher, as well as the cherished memory of Draylen Mason (2000-2018)