"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.
SEASON, 2026
World Premiere of ASTRAL KALEIDOSCOPES for Percussion Quartet - Homage to Claude Debussy, Bill Evans, and Miles Davis. Two Kaleidoscopes played without pause — I: SUN RIBBONS and II: DANCING LUMINOSITY — performed by Third Coast Percussion. Commissioned by and dedicated with admiration and deep gratitude, to Third Coast Percussion.
2026-27 Season
World Premiere of LIGHT PEARLS THROUGH PRISMS for solo piano premiered by Marianne Parker.
2026-27 Season
World Premiere of MAGICAL FLIGHTS OF THE ADARNA BIRD for solo violoncello premiered by Alexander Hersh.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 — 4 pm
World Premiere of the dream the dreamers dreamed for a cappella baritone singer. Presented on a program titled “Let Freedom Sing: Paul Robeson – His Words, His Music.” sung by Bass-baritone James C. Martin, who, along with pianist Lynn Raley, celebrate the famed singer, athlete, actor, and activist. St Mark’s in the Bowery, 131 East 10th Street, New York, NY.
NOVEMBER 28, 2026
World Premiere of Hummingbirds and Galaxies — Soulful Fanfare for Kaija for solo cello and organ. A Memorial Commission for Kaija Saariaho, commissioned by Anssi Karttunen, cellist and Olivier Latry, organist to premiere at the Maison de la Radio, Paris, France.
DECEMBER 5, 2026
World Premiere of ALCESTIS ASCENDS for 3 players: Ah Young Hong, soprano, Miranda Cuckson, violin, and Chris Gross, violoncello, setting a text by Alcestis: Euripides, 438 BCE, chorus of men of Pherae, translated by Rachel Kitzinger. Commissioned by the Johns Hopkins Department of the History of Art and the Peabody Institute Department of Composition. Premiered as part of Greek Tragedy in Image and Sound in Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Baltimore, MD.Special gratitude to composer Michael Hersch and art historian Jennifer Stager
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.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2026 — 4 PM
HUMMINGBIRD MUSINGS — In Memoriam Alan Stout for soprano saxophone, performed by Phil Pierick, presented by the SFORZANDO concert series in Zionsville, IN.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 — 7:30 PM
SPIRIT MUSINGS — Violin Concerto #1, MingHuan Xu violin soloist, Ben Firer conducting the CCPA Contemporary Ensemble in Ganz Hall at the Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University. Chicago, IL.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
SOLSTICE RITUAL - Homage to Varese and Ravel for Fourteen Virtuosi performed by The University of Iowa New Music Ensemble, David Gompper conducting. Iowa City, IA.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 — 7 PM
Etude No. 5 for solo piano, "Rain at Funeral March--Homage to Morton Feldman" performed by pianist Rieko Aizawa of the Horszowski Trio at Greenwich House, New York, NY.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 — 4 pm
World Premiere of the dream the dreamers dreamed for a cappella baritone singer. Presented on a program titled “Let Freedom Sing: Paul Robeson – His Words, His Music.” sung by Bass-baritone James C. Martin, who, along with pianist Lynn Raley, celebrate the famed singer, athlete, actor, and activist. St Mark’s in the Bowery, 131 East 10th Street, New York, NY.
View All 2026 Events
