"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

Selected Events

Upcoming Premieres

MARCH 14, 2024
World Premiere of CARNIVAL for baritone saxophone and wind ensemble performed by Phil Pierick and the Oklahoma State University Symphonic Band conducted by Bradley Genevro at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference.

MARCH 16, 2024
World Premiere of GWENDOLYN BROOKS SETTINGS for Treble Chorus and Orchestra. Text by Gwendolyn Brooks. World premiere by Anima – Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus, The chorus of Chicago High School for the Arts, 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.

APRIL 22, 2024 (EARTH DAY)
World Premiere of AURA TENEBRIS (Radiant Darkness) for brass quintet, which is just one part of the HEAVY METAL SUITE performed by Axiom Brass in Vancouver, BC at the Vogue Theater. Comprised of individual movements inspired by different critical metals (e.g., copper, gold, lithium, platinum) composed by Augusta Read Thomas (Gold/USA), Chris Chafe (Silicon/USA), Christopher Sainsbury (Lithium/Australia), Edzi’u  (Introduction/Tahltan), Roberto Manzanares (Silver/Mexico), Valeria Gisel Valle Martinez (Copper/Chile), Vuma Levin (Platinum/South Africa), Yao Chen (Zinc/China). Read More

APRIL 25, 2024
World Premiere of SHAKESPEARE'S JESTERS for Saxophone Quartet performed by ~Nois, Hunter Bockes, János Csontos, Jordan Lulloff, Julian Velasco, at Constellation in Chicago.

MAY 17, 2024
World premiere HAEMOSU’S CELESTIAL CHARIOT RIDE, based on six Korean Sijo, for solo saxophone, 6 or 7 players, and string orchestra, performed by the Sejong Soloists, Steven Banks, saxophone soloist, conducted by Hannah von Wiehler performed at Carnegie Hall in Zankel Hall, New York, NY.

AUGUST 4, 2024
World Premiere of NEW WORK for 9 players, conducted by Vimbayi Kaziboni, for the Composers Conference 80th Gala at Avaloch Farm Music Institute in Boscawen, NH.

AUGUST 17, 2024
World premiere of ABRACADABRA (Suncathers) for 11 virtuosi, performed, by the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble conducted by Timothy Weiss at the Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, Colorado.

SPRING, 2025
World premiere of NEW WORK [working title is: PEACE PLEASE PIECE] for 3 percussion, 2 harps, piano, celesta, flute, clarinet doubling bass clarinet, violin, cello, commissioned by The Juilliard School, performed by AXIOM, conducted by Jeffrey Milarsky, Music Director, at Alice Tully Hall, New York, NY.

 

Upcoming Events

MARCH 12 [and 8-17,] 2024
DANCE FOLDINGS for orchestra performed by the Orchestre national d’Ile de France conducted by Alevtina Loffe. Orchestra is touring concerts from March 8 to March 17 including a performance at the Philharmonie de Paris on Tuesday March 12 at 20H00.

MARCH 13, 2024
STILL LIFE for solo piano performed by Amy Wirtz at the Harold Washington Library, Chicago, IL.

MARCH 14, 2024
World Premiere of CARNIVAL for baritone saxophone and wind ensemble performed by Phil Pierick and the Oklahoma State University Symphonic Band conducted by Bradley Genevro at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference.

MARCH 16, 2024
World Premiere of GWENDOLYN BROOKS SETTINGS for Treble Chorus and Orchestra. Text by Gwendolyn Brooks. World premiere by Anima – Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus, The chorus of Chicago High School for the Arts, 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 16, 2024
DANCE FOLDINGS for orchestra performed by the Orchestre national d’Ile de France conducted by Alevtina Loffe. Orchestra in the Théâtre Claude Debussy in Maisons-Alfort, France

MARCH 17, 2024
DANCE FOLDINGS for orchestra performed by the Orchestre national d’Ile de France conducted by Alevtina Loffe. Orchestra in Espace Carpeaux in Courbevoie, France