Pacific Serenades’ rewarding adventure

Pacific Serenades, the Los Angeles-based chamber music ensemble founded in 1982 by composer Mark Carlson, has won the prestigious 2003 Chamber Music America/ASCAP award for adventurous programming.

The award, which includes a cash prize that varies yearly, is given by Chamber Music America and the performance rights organization to ensembles, presenters and festivals that are committed to programming contemporary chamber music, especially works written since 1980.

Although the honor is bestowed on one season, Carlson and Pacific Serenades have commissioned 72 new works since the group’s founding.

Previous recipients of the award include the Kronos Quartet, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Ojai Festival and Quarteto Latinoamericano.

“We have a premiere on every program and put it with standard repertory,” Carlson said Monday. “We’ve found that formula to be particularly successful in attracting people who aren’t new music buffs per se. This award is an acknowledgment that we’re doing something worthwhile.”

Pacific Serenades’ latest commission, Daniel Catan’s Divertimento, will be premiered on the 18th season opening program, including concerts Feb. 1 at the Neighborhood Church in Pasadena and Feb. 10 at the UCLA Faculty Center.