Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

The Colorado College New Music Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1984 at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The ensemble is made up of students and faculty members from the college's music department, and is dedicated to the performance of contemporary classical music. The ensemble was founded by composer and music professor Ofer Ben-Amots, who remains the ensemble's director to this day. Ben-Amots was inspired to create the ensemble after attending a concert of contemporary music in New York City, and realizing that there was a lack of opportunities for students to perform this type of music at Colorado College. Over the years, the Colorado College New Music Ensemble has become known for its innovative and adventurous programming, which often includes works by living composers. The ensemble has premiered numerous new works, including pieces by Ben-Amots himself, as well as works by other composers such as John Cage, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass. The ensemble's main members are students and faculty members from the Colorado College music department. The ensemble typically includes a mix of instrumentalists and vocalists, and the exact makeup of the ensemble varies from year to year depending on the availability of performers. One of the highlights of the Colorado College New Music Ensemble's history was its performance at the 1996 Bang on a Can Marathon in New York City. The Bang on a Can Marathon is an annual festival of contemporary music that features performances by some of the world's leading contemporary classical musicians. The Colorado College New Music Ensemble was one of only a handful of student ensembles to be invited to perform at the festival, and its performance was widely praised for its energy and creativity. Another major highlight of the ensemble's history was its performance at the 2002 National Conference of the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS). SEAMUS is a leading organization for composers and performers of electro-acoustic music, and the Colorado College New Music Ensemble's performance at the conference was a testament to the ensemble's commitment to exploring new and innovative forms of music. In addition to its performances at major festivals and conferences, the Colorado College New Music Ensemble has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 2010, the ensemble was awarded the ASCAP/CMA Award for Adventurous Programming, which recognizes ensembles that demonstrate a commitment to performing contemporary classical music. The ensemble has also been featured on numerous recordings, including a 2009 CD titled "Music from Colorado College." Overall, the Colorado College New Music Ensemble is a dynamic and innovative ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the world of contemporary classical music. With its commitment to exploring new and innovative forms of music, the ensemble is sure to continue to be a major force in the world of classical music for years to come.

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