Present Music is a contemporary nonprofit music organization and ensemble based in Milwaukee, WI."Present Music History." Present Music. Present Music, 2010. Web. 16 June 2014. It was founded in 1982, and is currently led by founder and Artistic Director Kevin Stalheim.Higgins, Jim. "Present Music Gives Ambition, Art a New Drumbeat." The Journal Sentinel. N.p., 07 June 2013. Web. 16 June 2014. Present Music has put on shows in many venues around the world, but primarily performs in Milwaukee.

Background

Present Music was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Kevin Stalheim in 1982."Present Music." EAMDC. Schott Music Group, n.d. Web. 16 June 2014. Since its inception, the organization has performed or commissioned composition of new music by living composers. Its music is considered to be 21st Century music, and is often polystylistic and eclectic, incorporating unique instrumentation and musical techniques. Present Music is nonprofit, and is supported by ticket sales, grants, and donations."Present Music." Present Music. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2014. Present Music also has an education program called the Creation Project.

In 2019, violinist/composer Eric Segnitz and conductor David Bloom became Co-Artistic Directors of the ensemble. In 2024 David Bloom became Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor.Snyder, Molly. "Present Music Names Two New Artistic Directors" OnMilwaukee. 11 February 2019.

Concerts

Present Music puts on six or seven concerts every season, many of which operate around a central theme or idea. In addition to the musical aspects of the presentations, some of its concerts include an elaborate or immersive visual aspect as well, such as dance or video. As well as hosting many concerts in Milwaukee, Present Music has performed at festivals around the world. Notable Present Music appearances include: The Bang on a Can music festival in New York The Columbia University Composer Portraits Series in New York The Interlink Festival of New American Music in Japan The Istanbul International Music Festival in Turkey

Discography

The Present Music Ensemble has been featured on several different CDs of some of the works that Present Music composers have written, including:"Present Music Ensemble Discography of CDs." CD Universe. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2014. Flight Box (2001) Haunted America (2002) In White (2004) Michael Torke: 6 (2005) Henry Brandt Collection, Vol. 3 (2006) Graffiti (2009) Kamran Ince (2010) Kamran Ince Passion and Dreams (2016) Ryan Carter: On a Better Filtering Algorithm (David Bloom, Kairos 2022) 26 Little Deaths (Carla Kihlstedt, Cantaloupe Music, 2025) Raven Chacon: Voiceless Mass (David Bloom, Ariadne Greif, New World Records, 2025)

Creation Project

The Creation Project is a program in which Present Music teams one of their in-residence composers with a group of students ranging from little musical understanding to advanced. The composer works with the students over 10 weeks to teach them about melody, rhythm, and harmony, culminating in an original composition written by the students."The Creation Project." Present Music. Present Music, 2010. Web. 16 June 2014. The Creation Project is traditionally done with young people, but has been conducted with members of a senior center as well."Home Place Community Page." Present Music. Present Music, 2010. Web. 16 June 2014.

Composers in residence

These are the past and present composers in residence for Present Music."Present Music past Composers in Residence." Present Music. Present Music, 2010. Web. 13 June 2014. John Adams Timo Andres Thomas Bloch Jeffrey Brooks Ryan Carter Christopher Cerrone Mary Ellen Childs Michael Daugherty John Downey Paul Dresher Alexandra du Bois Sean Friar Annie Gosfield Daron Hagen Kimmo Hakola John Harbison Eleanor Hovda Kamran Ince Ben Johnston Molly Joyce Jerome Kitzke Guy Klucevsek Joan La Barbara Mary Jane Lamond David Lang Daniel Lentz Scott Lindroth Armando Luna Tod Machover Wendy MacIsaac Caroline Mallonee Ingram Marshall Ira Mowitz Amy X Neuburg Russell Platt Eric Segnitz Bright Sheng Roberto Sierra Sigmund Snopek III Carl Stone Michael Torke Lois V. Vierk Qu Xiao-Song

Recognition

Adventurous programming awards

Present Music is a six-time recipient of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Adventurous Programming Award."Present Music." MKE123. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2014. Among the six awards are: First Prize in Adventurous Programming, Self-Presenting Ensemble for the 2002–2003 season."ASCAP “Adventurous Programming” Awards Presented at Chamber Music America Conference." ASCAP. ASCAP, 04 Mar. 2004. Web. 16 June 2014. Second Prize in Adventurous Programming, Self-Presenting Chamber Ensemble - New Music, for the 2003-2004 Season."ASCAP “Adventurous Programming” Awards Presented at Chamber Music America Conference." ASCAP. ASCAP, 18 Jan. 2005. Web. 16 June 2014. First Prize in Adventurous Programming for Small Presenter - Contemporary for the 2009–2010 season."ASCAP Adventurous Programming Awards to Be Presented at 2011 Chamber Music America Conference." ASCAP. ASCAP, 07 Dec. 2010. Web. 13 June 2014.

Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards

The Present Music Ensemble has been the recipient of the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award in the Classical Group category. Some of the years in which Present Music was the winner of this award are 2002,"WORT Wins Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Award." WORT. N.p., 29 Apr. 2002. Web. 23 June 2014. 2004," 2004 WAMI Award Nominees & Winners." FolkLib. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June 2014. and 2008."2008 WAMI Award Winners (2008 Show)." Wisconsin Area Music Industry. WAMI, n.d. Web. 23 June 2014.

References

External links

Shepherd Express Article