The New Music Series highlights musicians who are actively creating and crafting what it means when you say “21st-century music.”

This series has featured notable artists like Alarm will Sound, Yarn/Wire, Roomful of Teeth, and Bang on a Can All-Stars.


2023-2024 New Music Series

Founders profile portrait

Founders


Friday, September 22, 2023 • 7:30 p.m. • Lawrence Memorial Chapel

“An idiosyncratic quintet featuring versatile chamber music players who double as singers and songwriters.” – The New Yorker

Merging the talents of conservatory trained musicians in New York City, Founders is a “defiant, brilliant, virtuosic quintet” captivating audiences everywhere. Combining classical, folk music, original compositions and pop arrangements, Founders is re-defining the role of the classical ensemble for the next generation.

This event is part of the Performing Arts Series.


Lawrence University New Music Ensemble “Yo Shakespeare” cover

Lawrence University New Music Ensemble presents the music of Michael Gordon, David Lang, and Julia Wolfe


Wednesday, November 1, 2023 • 8 p.m. • Harper Hall
Free admission

The Lawrence University New Music Ensemble (LUNME) presents an evening of exhilarating music by renowned Bang on a Can composers: Michael Gordon, David Lang, and Julia Wolfe. Between them, these composers have received two Pulitzer Prizes, a MacArthur “genius” grant, and commissions from nearly every major ensemble in the United States. LUNME brings together students and faculty to work side-by-side on music that stretches ears and sparks creativity. In 2022, LUNME received the American Prize in Virtual Performance for their recording of Frederic Rzewski’s Coming Together.


Damselfly Trio profile portrait

Damselfly Trio


Monday, April 1, 2024 • 8 p.m. • Harper Hall
Free admission

The Damselfly Trio – Liz Pearse, soprano; Chelsea Czuchra, flutes; and Lindsay Buffington, harp – presents the world premiere of Asha Srinivasan’s Bhoomija Returns, in addition to works by Ursula Mamlok, Kaija Saariaho, Alfred Zimmerlin, and Tania Léon.

Founded in 2017, Damselfly commissions, performs, and promotes chamber music written for their unique instrumentation, working with composers and poets from both sides of the Atlantic. Recent partnerships include Asha Srinivasan (USA), Ryan Molloy (Ireland), Alfred Zimmerlin (Switzerland), and Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon (Mexico/USA). Damselfly Trio resides in the US and Switzerland, conducting concert and educational activities throughout the US and Europe. They appear on the 2021 album Buaine na Gaoithe, and look forward to releasing their first full album in 2024.

Alarm Will Sound and Roomful of Teeth are just a few of the amazing New Music Series guests who have shared their music with the Lawrence community.