Contemporaneous: Open Mic
Free
This program adapts the idea of a traditional open mic for a new music context with the chamber orchestral forces of Contemporaneous serving as the band, providing an opportunity for composers of all ages and skill levels to submit their work at any stage of its development for a free performance. Composers are free to take risks, try out new material, and hear their music performed in an open environment by the extraordinary musicians of the Contemporaneous ensemble. The open mic will be free to the public as a space for creative community where artists from all backgrounds are welcome to gather, see, hear, and chat about their dreams and imaginations.
The event will also be professionally recorded, so that all composers involved can receive top-notch recordings of their work.
Food and drink will be provided.
Instrumentation is TBD based on audience submissions of pieces that Contemporaneous will be reading.
Doors at 6pm.
A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm Eastern on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing.
About Contemporaneous
Contemporaneous is an ensemble of 23 musicians whose mission is to bring to life the music of now. Recognized for a "ferocious, focused performance" (The New York Times) and for its "captivating and whole-hearted commitment" (I Care If You Listen), Contemporaneous performs and promotes the most exciting work of living composers through innovative concerts, commissions, recordings, and educational programs. Based in New York City and active throughout the United States, Contemporaneous has been presented by such institutions as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Park Avenue Armory, PROTOTYPE Festival, Merkin Concert Hall, MATA Festival, St. Ann’s Warehouse, and Bang on a Can and has worked with such artists as David Byrne, Donnacha Dennehy, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Dawn Upshaw, and Julia Wolfe.
Contemporaneous has premiered more than 150 works, and with its newly-launched program Contemporaneous IMAGINATION, the ensemble champions large-scale works, curated from an open call for artists to submit ideas for projects that take risks and defy constraints. The ensemble has recently released a podcast entitled Imagination Radio, which explores the significance of creativity and music in our lives through dialogues with composers, scientists, a cartographer, and a BASE jumper. Contemporaneous has recorded for the New Amsterdam, Cantaloupe, Innova, Roven, and Navona labels.
https://www.contemporaneous.org/