Three decades of fostering fresh sounds, the SOLI Chamber Ensemble is hitting a high note, marking its 30-year stint with a sonic boom of 30 new compositions. Founded with a performance of Olivier Messiaen's "Quartet for the End of Time" at University Methodist Church, the group has since bankrolled a whopping 100-plus pieces by living maestros, according to a statement obtained by the San Antonio Report.

For their pearl anniversary, the Texas musicians rolled out the "SOLI 30x30x30" contest, hunting for fresh scores to add to their robust repertoire. Out of nearly 300 submissions, they struck gold – picking 30 compositions to season their upcoming shows. The first taste of the talent feast will be served up May 13 at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. "We love creating, and being the one to invite others to create," artistic director and clarinetist Stephanie Key told the San Antonio Report, "That is our legacy."

The lineup for the garden gig stars three of the winning acts alongside numbers by Daniel De Togni and SOLI stalwart Elliott Miles McKinley. The rest of the winners will sprinkle their magic across SOLI's 31st season, while some pieces will echo through performances by partner ensembles nationwide. The competition gambit pulled a diverse crowd, with Turkey-born violinist Ertan Torgul noting to the San Antonio Report the "cool" mix of demographics.

Handpicking the top tunes wasn't a walk in the park, though. Judges, including SOLI's own virtuosi and their composer allies, pored over each entry, mined for that musical X-factor. "Everybody has a different [musical] language, everybody has something different to share in their piece," Key revealed, "You’re really just listening for someone’s soul." While the three victors of the composition clash will bear witness to their work, whether the rest can attend their premieres is still up in the air.

But don't think SOLI's ready to take a bow just yet. Gazing beyond the 30th-anniversary shindigs, Torgul hinted at grand designs in the works. "We're really looking to new horizons, looking to create legacy types of projects," he said, confirming the outfit's thirst for trailblazing. Fans, take note: when the curtain rises, expect them to make a splash. To snag seats for "Macrocosm" and catch a symphony of stars on the rise, hit up SOLI's website.