"The open, collaborative nature of Chicago's new music community is home to an extraordinary crop of ensembles and a vibrant landscape of composers. The scene for new music in Chicago is exceptional and I dedicate myself to supporting and encouraging its sustainability and growth." — Augusta Read Thomas
OCTOBER 22, 2021
World Premiere of CRACKLE for wind ensemble performed by the University of Michigan Wind Ensemble, conducted by Michael Haithcock, in a live, with-audience performance. [CRACKLE was co-commissioned by a consortium of wind ensembles through the College Band Directors National Association. Special thanks to Dr. Douglas Stotter who was instrumental in organizing the whole project. The co-commissioners include: University of Michigan, University of Texas at Austin, Eastman School of Music, Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Arlington, Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, University of Kansas, University of Illinois, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Missouri State University and the University of Louisville.]
October 29 & 30, 2021
World Premiere of STARDUST for in version for English Horn and string quartet performed by Robert Walters, English Horn soloist (who is a member of the Cleveland Orchestra) and Nexus Chamber Music presented by and premiered at Oberlin College. NEXUS Co-artistic Directors, violinist Brian Hong and cellist Alexander Hersh, will be joined by violinist Marta Sarc, and violist Chloe Thominet. Special thanks to Stefan Hersh, Tim Weiss, and Raphael Jiménez. Live socially-distanced concerts are also being livestreamed.
NOVEMBER 4, 2021
Chicago Premiere of STARDUST in version for English Horn and string quartet performed by Robert Walters, English Horn soloist (who is a member of the Cleveland Orchestra) and Nexus Chamber Music presented by and premiered at Guarneri Hall, Stefan Hersh, Artistic Director. NEXUS Co-artistic Directors, violinist Brian Hong and cellist Alexander Hersh, will be joined by violinist Marta Sarc, and violist Chloe Thominet. Special thanks to Stefan Hersh. Live socially-distanced concert is also being livestreamed.
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
World Premiere of STARDUST in the version for Oboe and String Quartet performed by Jared Ethan Hauser, Oboe soloist with Janet Sung and Ann Setzer violins; Ann Marie Brink, viola; and Stephen Balderston cello in Allen Hall at the Holtschneider Performance Center, DePaul University.
MARCH 2, 2022
World Premiere of DANCE MOBILE for 13 player or chamber orchestra. Commissioned by the Howard Hanson Institute for American Music in Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Eastman School of Music; premiered by Brad Lubman conducting the ESM Musica Nova, Rochester, NY
MARCH 12, 2022
WORLD PREMIERE of GWENDOLYN BROOKS SETTINGS for Treble Chorus and Orchestra.
Text by Gwendolyn Brooks. World premiere by Anima – Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus and the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Stilian Kirov, conducting, Charles Sundquist, Chorus, Director.
This commission and associated activities are partially supported by a 2019 grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and Illinois Humanities.
March 13, 2022
World Premiere of FAR PAST WAR for large chorus and orchestra, text by Cammy Thomas, commissioned and premiered by the Cathedral Choral Society of Washington, D.C., conducted by Steven Fox in the Washington National Cathedral. Made possible by the William Remsen Strickland Endowment Fund “to remember the concerts of the Cathedral Choral Society during World War II.”
May 1, 2022
World Premiere of MAGIC GARDENS for string quartet performed by Rolston String Quartet at the Perelman Theatre in the Kimmel Center during the celebrations of Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia’s 200th anniversary. This was commissioned by the McCollin Fund and the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia, Linda Reichert, President, in celebration of the organization’s Bicentennial.
SEPTEMBER 15 - 21, 2021
Guest Composer at the University of South Carolina School of Music. PRISMS OF LIGHT, HEMKE CONCERTO for saxophone and wind ensemble and MAGNETICFIREFLIES for wind ensemble performed by Cormac Cannon, Director of Bands with Clifford Leaman as saxophone soloist. SILENT MOON for violin and cello will be performed by Ari Streisfeld and Claire Bryant. FANFARE OF HOPE AND SOLIDARITY for orchestra will be performed by the University Symphony conducted by Scott Weiss. RINGS OF LIGHT for 9 saxophones and SQUEEZE for saxophone quartet performed by member of the Saxophone Studio, as organized by Clifford Leaman, Professor of Saxophone. QI for 4 percussionists playing two marimbas will be performed as organized by Scott Herring, Professor of Percussion.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2021
THE REWAKING for choir and PURPLE SYLLABLES for choir performed by Chanticleer as part of their AWAKENINGS. Sacramento, CA.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021, 11:45 PM
LOVE TWITTERS for solo piano by Clare Longendyke at the Kehrein Center for the Arts in Chicago as part of EAR TAXI FESTIVAL.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
LOVE TWITTERS for solo piano by Clare Longendyke presented by the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, Cultural Center, Chicago.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
ANGEL SHADOWS for solo alto flute performed by flutist Lisa Goethe-McGinn as part of EAR TAXI FESTIVAL.
View All 2021 Events
