Boston Conservatory at Berklee Announces 2018 New Music Festival, February 8–10

Boston Conservatory at Berklee will hold its 2018 New Music Festival from February 8 through 10. The annual festival presents a series of modern music by world-class compositional voices of the 20th and 21st centuries. This year’s New Music Festival will feature a variety of new works by luminaries of the contemporary classical world, including David Gompper, Andrew Norman, David Vess, John Aylward, Stefanie Hänsler, Philippe Leroux, George Lewis, and David Rakowski. The lineup will also include world premieres by associate professor of composition Curtis Hughes and associate professor of electronic music Derek Hurst. Guest artists for the New Music Festival will include violinist Gabriela Díaz and violist Sam Keller.
 
"This year’s New Music Festival is a celebration of the community of performers and composers that make our conservatory a hub for new music in America,” said Douglas Perkins, interim chair of instrumental studies at the Conservatory. "From the premiere of Curtis Hughes's new piece and a concerto played by clarinetist Michael Norsworthy to an evening with the contemporary classical music students and faculty, these concerts will be unforgettable feats of virtuosity and sonic variety.”
 
All concerts are free of charge and will take place at Boston Conservatory’s Seully Hall, located at 8 Fenway in Boston.

contraBAND: chamberMUSIC: Thursday, February 8 at 8:00 p.m.

The 2018 Boston Conservatory at Berklee New Music Festival begins with a student showcase of contemporary classical music. The students will present contemporary chamber works by Marcos Balter, Viet Cuong, Erin Gee, Missy Mazzoli, and Guo Wenjing, alongside Boston Conservatory at Berklee faculty member Sarah Brady (flute) and guest artists Gabriela Díaz (violin) and Sam Keller (viola). Conducted by Nicholas DeMaison.

contraBAND: Friday, February 9 at 8:00 p.m.

The Conservatory’s contemporary classical music ensemble, contraBAND, presents new works by David Gompper, Andrew Norman, David Vess, and a world premiere by Conservatory faculty member Curtis Hughes. The program will feature Conservatory faculty member and clarinetist Michael Norsworthy. Conducted by Douglas Perkins. 

East Coast Contemporary Ensemble: Saturday, February 10 at 8:00 p.m.

The East Coast Contemporary Ensemble (ECCE) presents a program of new works by John Aylward, Stefanie Hänsler, Philippe Leroux, George Lewis, and David Rakowski, as well as a new composition by Conservatory faculty member Derek Hurst. Conducted by Nicholas DeMaison.