Bates wins Heinz Award

Mason Bates, the Richmond-bred composer known for his mixture of traditional symphonic orchestrations and electronic sounds, has been named the arts and humanities recipient of the 18th round of Heinz Awards from the Heinz Family Foundation.

The 35-year-old Bates, who now lives in Oakland, CA, is Mead Composer-in-Residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and 2012-13 Composer of the Year with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He will receive $250,000 from the Heinz Foundation.

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and the Pittsburgh Symphony, Leonard Slatkin conducting, will introduce Bates’ Violin Concerto on Dec. 7. Before the premiere, the composer will curate an electroacoustic music program in Pittsburgh.