New Music Raleigh is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2009 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The ensemble is dedicated to performing contemporary classical music and promoting new works by living composers. The group is made up of a core group of musicians, including Shawn Galvin (percussion), Karen Strittmatter Galvin (violin), Elizabeth Phelps (flute), Suzanne Rousso (clarinet), and Jonathan Sherwin (cello). The idea for New Music Raleigh was born out of a desire to create a space for contemporary classical music in the Raleigh area. The group's founders, Shawn Galvin and Karen Strittmatter Galvin, were both musicians who had studied and performed contemporary classical music in other parts of the country. They saw a need for a similar community in Raleigh and decided to start their own ensemble. The group's first performance was in 2009, and since then, they have become a fixture in the Raleigh music scene. They have performed at a variety of venues, including the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Contemporary Art Museum, and the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. They have also collaborated with a number of other organizations, including the North Carolina Symphony and the Carolina Ballet. One of the highlights of New Music Raleigh's career was their performance of John Luther Adams' "Inuksuit" in 2014. The piece is a large-scale percussion work that requires dozens of performers and is typically performed outdoors. New Music Raleigh's performance took place at the North Carolina Museum of Art and featured over 60 percussionists from the Raleigh area. The performance was a huge success and drew a large crowd of music lovers and curious onlookers. Another notable performance by New Music Raleigh was their collaboration with the Carolina Ballet in 2016. The group performed a new work by composer Judd Greenstein, which was choreographed by Carolina Ballet's artistic director, Robert Weiss. The piece, titled "The Planets," was inspired by the planets of our solar system and featured a live performance by New Music Raleigh. In addition to their performances, New Music Raleigh has also been recognized for their contributions to the contemporary classical music scene. In 2013, they were awarded the Raleigh Medal of Arts, which recognizes individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the arts in Raleigh. They were also named "Best Classical Music Group" by the Independent Weekly in 2014. New Music Raleigh continues to be a vital part of the Raleigh music scene, and their dedication to contemporary classical music has helped to create a thriving community of composers, performers, and music lovers in the area. Their performances are always innovative and engaging, and they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in classical music.

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