“More than 300 musicians, 53 world premieres and 4 installations via concerts, lectures, marathons, webcasts and artist receptions—all taking place over six days—is what to expect when the inaugural Ear Taxi Festival of new music arrives in Chicago, Oct. 5-10,” writes Miriam Di Nunzio in Monday’s (1/25) Chicago Sun-Times. “At the helm of the fest are Grammy-winning composer Augusta Read Thomas and her co-curator Stephen Burns, trumpeter and artistic director of the Fulcrum Point New Music Project…. Plans call for showcasing the work of 75 Chicago-based composers, and performances by 39 Chicago-based ensembles and soloists,” including Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Bienen Contemporary Ensemble and Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble, Ensemble Dal Niente, International Contemporary Ensemble, Access Contemporary Music, Chicago Composers Orchestra, Fonema Consort, Spektral Quartet, Third Coast Percussion, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, the Latino Musical Festival, and Avalon String Quartet. “Patricia Barber kicks things off Oct. 5 with a concert at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.” The festival will take place at venues including the Harris Theater, Chicago Cultural Center, Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago, and Constellation. New Music USA will host a NewMusicBox LIVE! online event focusing on Chicago-based composers.
Posted January 26, 2016
Pictured: Composer Augusta Read Thomas, co-curator of Chicago’s inaugural Ear Taxi Festival
