newEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble is a classical music ensemble based in Kansas City, Missouri. The ensemble was founded in 1991 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for contemporary classical music. Since its inception, newEar has become one of the most respected and innovative chamber ensembles in the United States. The founding members of newEar were flutist Erin Lesser, clarinetist Robert Paredes, violinist Tomás Carillo, cellist Martin Storey, and pianist Jane Carl. The ensemble's mission was to perform and promote contemporary classical music, with a focus on works by living composers. Over the years, newEar has expanded its repertoire to include a wide range of styles and genres, from avant-garde experimental music to more traditional classical works. One of the hallmarks of newEar's performances is their commitment to collaboration and experimentation. The ensemble frequently works with other artists, including dancers, visual artists, and poets, to create multimedia performances that push the boundaries of traditional chamber music. This approach has earned newEar a reputation as one of the most innovative and exciting classical music ensembles in the country. Over the years, newEar has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Lincoln Center. The ensemble has also been featured on numerous radio and television programs, including NPR's "Performance Today" and PBS's "Great Performances." In addition to their performances, newEar has also been recognized for their contributions to contemporary classical music. The ensemble has received numerous awards and grants, including the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Missouri Arts Council. These awards have allowed newEar to commission and perform new works by some of the most exciting and innovative composers working today. One of the highlights of newEar's career was their performance of John Cage's "Musicircus" in 2012. "Musicircus" is a sprawling, multimedia work that involves dozens of performers and incorporates elements of theater, dance, and visual art. newEar's performance of "Musicircus" was hailed as a triumph of collaboration and experimentation, and cemented the ensemble's reputation as one of the most innovative and exciting classical music ensembles in the country. Another notable performance by newEar was their collaboration with the Kansas City Ballet in 2015. The ensemble worked with the ballet to create a new production of Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring," featuring choreography by the ballet's artistic director, Devon Carney. The production was a critical and commercial success, and was hailed as a groundbreaking new interpretation of one of the most iconic works in the classical music canon. Today, newEar continues to push the boundaries of contemporary classical music, performing and commissioning new works by some of the most exciting and innovative composers working today. The ensemble's commitment to collaboration and experimentation has earned them a devoted following and a reputation as one of the most exciting and innovative classical music ensembles in the United States.

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