As part of the mission of the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus is to perform the works of living composers, establishing an endowment to commission works from talented up-and-coming composers was a natural. An endowment was established in 1997 in honor of retiring Music Director Thomas Nee that would be used to award a UCSD graduate-level composition student each year with an orchestral or choral commission. The student is guided through the composition process through his or her UCSD instructors and with the oversight of the LJS&C Music Director. The compositions are performed on the LJS&C subscription series the following season – an invaluable opportunity for young composers to hear their works performed by a full orchestra (and chorus).