"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
2026-27 Season
World Premiere of ASTRAL ILLUMINATIONS — HOMMAGE TO EMILY DICKINSON for Solo Violoncello and Orchestra, premiered by The BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Ryan Bancroft. This work is co-commissioned by several orchestras including the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, and other orchestras to be announced.
JANUARY 28, 2026
World Premiere of SONG WITHOUT WORDS in the version for trombone and piano performed by John Gruber, Trombone and Willem van Schalkwyk, Piano, at the University of North Texas, in Denton, Texas.
FEBRUARY 25, 2026
World Premiere of PEARLS for percussion quartet commissioned and premiered by Third Coast Percussion. Dedicated with admiration and deep gratitude to Third Coast Percussion. Presented by Nova Linea Musica at Merit School of Music in Gottlieb Hall, Chicago, IL.
October 19 - 23, 2026
Co-commissioner World Premiere of NEW WORK for solo cello and orchestra, premiered by cellist Alban Gerhardt, The Swedish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Brett Dean. This work is co-commissioned by several orchestras including The BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Ryan Bancroft, the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, and other orchestras to be announced.
WINTER 2027
World Premiere of NEW WORK for 3 players: Ah Young Hong, soprano, violin, and violoncello, setting a text by Alcestis:
Euripides, 438 BCE, chorus of men of Pherae, translated by Rachel Kitzinger. Special gratitude to composer Michael Hersch.
MAY 21, 2027
World Premiere of NEW WORK for 13 players performed by The Grossman Ensemble conducted by Timothy Weiss, Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
JANUARY 23, 2026
BEBOP RIDDLE IV for reed quintet performed by the Detroit-based Akropolis Reed Quintet as presented by DUKE ARTS, in Durham, NC.
JANUARY 24, 2026
D(I)AGON(ALS) for solo saxophone performed by Taimur Sullivan at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory, Cincinnati, Ohio.
JANUARY 28, 2026
World Premiere of SONG WITHOUT WORDS in the version for trombone and piano performed by John Gruber, Trombone and Willem van Schalkwyk, Piano, at the University of North Texas, in Denton, Texas.
FEBRUARY 1, 2026 – 3 PM
D(I)AGON(ALS) for solo saxophone performed by Taimur Sullivan in the Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall, Evanston, IL.
FEBRUARY 3, 2026
SONG WITHOUT WORDS for trombone and piano performed by John Gruber, Trombone and Hyunsoo Kim, Piano, at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio.
Willem van Schalkwyk will play on the UNT recital Jan. 28th.
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