Present Music
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| Present Music | |
|---|---|
| Name | Present Music |
| Origin | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States |
| Genre | Contemporary classical music, new music, experimental |
| Years active | 1982–present |
Present Music is a professional contemporary chamber ensemble based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, founded in 1982. The group is known for commissioning, premiering, and performing works by living composers, and for blending contemporary composition with cross-disciplinary collaborations involving dance, visual art, film, and technology. Over decades the ensemble has developed a national and international profile through recordings, tours, residencies, and partnerships with composers, presenters, and academic institutions.
History
Founded in 1982 in Milwaukee, the ensemble emerged amid regional initiatives in contemporary music associated with organizations such as the Walker Art Center, Carnegie Hall residency programs, and the rise of new music presenters in the 1980s like Bang on a Can. Early activity intersected with local institutions including the Milwaukee Art Museum and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, drawing on networks cultivated by festivals such as the Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music and conferences attended by ensembles like the Kronos Quartet. The group’s development paralleled national trends exemplified by ensembles including Ensemble Modern, London Sinfonietta, and Relâche. Over time the ensemble received support and recognition from funders and organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, NEA Jazz Masters-affiliated programs, and state arts councils. Present-day activity continues in dialogue with presenters like Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall-type venues and collaborative partners extending to international festivals such as the Donaueschinger Musiktage and ISCM World Music Days.
Artistic Vision and Repertoire
The ensemble’s artistic vision emphasizes premieres and advocacy for living composers, programming that juxtaposes established figures with emerging voices, and repertoire that spans electroacoustic works, spectral music, minimalism, and experimental notated and improvised practices. Programming choices reflect affinities with composers associated with institutions such as the IRCAM, the Juilliard School, and the Eastman School of Music, and engage repertoires linked to figures like Steve Reich, Philip Glass, John Adams (composer), György Ligeti, and Iannis Xenakis. The ensemble frequently programs works involving extended techniques and multimedia collaborations, aligning with projects seen at venues like the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and festivals such as the Tanglewood Music Festival.
Composers and Commissions
Commission activity has included collaborations with a wide array of composers from the United States and abroad, drawing connections with creators associated with the European Academy of Music, the MacArthur Fellows Program, and conservatories including the Curtis Institute of Music. Notable composer collaborators span established names and younger innovators connected to networks including New Music USA and the American Composers Forum. Commissions and premieres have placed the ensemble in the company of composers who have worked with organizations like Nonesuch Records, ECM Records, and the Deutsche Grammophon roster, reflecting a commission strategy parallel to ensembles such as Asko-Schönberg and Alarm Will Sound.
Performances and Tours
The ensemble’s performance history includes appearances at regional and international venues and festivals, collaborating with presenters such as the Kennedy Center, Symphony Center (Chicago), and international stages like Mumuth and festivals including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Midem. National touring engaged presenters comparable to Carnegie Hall’s » »-linked series, university residencies at institutions like the University of Minnesota, and partnerships with cultural centers akin to the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles. Touring has facilitated collaborations with dance companies and choreographers connected to companies like Martha Graham Dance Company and Mark Morris Dance Group.
Ensemble Membership and Leadership
Throughout its history the ensemble’s roster has included instrumentalists, vocalists, and collaborators with affiliations to schools and ensembles such as the Cleveland Institute of Music, the New England Conservatory, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and chamber groups like the International Contemporary Ensemble. Artistic leadership and administrative direction have been shaped by individuals with ties to organizations including the League of American Orchestras, the American Music Center, and academic departments at universities such as Vanderbilt University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Guest conductors and artistic advisers have included figures with associations to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic’s educational initiatives.
Recordings and Media
The ensemble’s discography and media presence include studio recordings, live concert releases, and multimedia projects issued through independent labels and platforms akin to Mode Records, New Albion Records, and streaming outlets used by ensembles such as ECM New Series. Recordings document collaborations, premieres, and cross-disciplinary projects that have been featured in outlets like The New York Times, NPR Music, and specialist journals comparable to The Wire. Media projects have incorporated film and sound-art collaborations linked to institutions such as the Milwaukee Film Festival and archives maintained by organizations like the Library of Congress.
Educational and Community Programs
Education and community engagement initiatives include composer residencies, youth programs, school partnerships, and workshops modeled on successful programs from institutions like the Bang on a Can Summer Festival, the Juilliard Pre-College outreach, and university-based composer programs at the Eastman School of Music. Partnerships with local schools and cultural organizations mirror collaborations seen with the Milwaukee Public Museum and regional arts agencies, and include mentorships, score study sessions, and interactive concerts designed to broaden audiences and develop new composers and performers.