Cal State San Bernardino’s Office of Research & Sponsored Programs has announced that Stacey Fraser, John M. Pfau Endowed Professor and professor of music, has been approved for a National Endowment for the Arts Grants for Arts Projects award of $30,263. The funding will support the commissioning, performance and recording of a new song cycle commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary as part of the NEA’s America 250 initiative.

The 30-minute work for two voices and piano will be composed by Jodi Goble and set to new poetry by Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson, alongside archival texts reflecting artistic contributions during pivotal moments in U.S. history over the past century. The song cycle will premiere at Cal State San Bernardino and Scripps College, with performances by Fraser and Anne Harley, both sopranos recognized for their work in contemporary classical music and for commissioning new works.

The project will also include a range of educational programming, such as public lectures, workshops and class visits that explore the historical texts and creative process behind the composition. It will culminate in a professional recording, accompanied by digital humanities resources and a published score.

This marks the second time Fraser has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2021, she was awarded an NEA Grants for Arts Projects award for NEW FRONTIERS-Multi-Media Mono-Dramas, a multidisciplinary series of performances and events at CSUSB exploring themes of California, diversity, women and the idea of the West.

In addition to her work at the university, Fraser is the vocalist for the Los Angeles-based Brightwork Ensemble and was named Favorite Opera Singer in the 2024-25 San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards, Los Angeles Division.

For more information on projects included in the grant, visit the NEA website.