Present Music

Present Music is a contemporary nonprofit music organization and ensemble based in Milwaukee, WI.[1] It was founded in 1982, and is currently led by founder and Artistic Director Kevin Stalheim.[2] Present Music has put on shows in many venues around the world, but primarily performs in Milwaukee.

Present Music
Established1982
Location
Co-Artistic Directors
David Bloom & Eric Segnitz
Websitewww.presentmusic.org

Background

Present Music was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Kevin Stalheim in 1982.[3] Since its inception, the organization has performed or commissioned composition of new music by living composers.[3] 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.[4] Present Music also has an education program called the Creation Project.

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:[3]

Discography

The Present Music Ensemble has been featured on several different CDs of some of the works that Present Music composers have written, including:[5]

  • 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)

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.[6] The Creation Project is traditionally done with young people, but has been conducted with members of a senior center as well.[7]

Composers in residence

These are the past and present composers in residence for Present Music.[8]

Recognition

Adventurous programming awards

Present Music is a six-time recipient of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Adventurous Programming Award.[9] Among the six awards are:

  • First Prize in Adventurous Programming, Self-Presenting Ensemble for the 2002–2003 season.[10]
  • Second Prize in Adventurous Programming, Self-Presenting Chamber Ensemble - New Music, for the 2003-2004 Season.[11]
  • First Prize in Adventurous Programming for Small Presenter - Contemporary for the 2009–2010 season.[12]

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,[13] 2004,[14] and 2008.[15]

References
  1. "Present Music History." Present Music. Present Music, 2010. Web. 16 June 2014. Archived 13 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Higgins, Jim. "Present Music Gives Ambition, Art a New Drumbeat." The Journal Sentinel. N.p., 07 June 2013. Web. 16 June 2014.
  3. "Present Music." EAMDC. Schott Music Group, n.d. Web. 16 June 2014.
  4. "Present Music." Present Music. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2014.
  5. "Present Music Ensemble Discography of CDs." CD Universe. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2014.
  6. "The Creation Project." Present Music. Present Music, 2010. Web. 16 June 2014. Archived 1 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Home Place Community Page." Present Music. Present Music, 2010. Web. 16 June 2014. Archived 13 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Present Music past Composers in Residence." Present Music. Present Music, 2010. Web. 13 June 2014. Archived 20 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Present Music." MKE123. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2014.
  10. "ASCAP “Adventurous Programming” Awards Presented at Chamber Music America Conference." ASCAP. ASCAP, 04 Mar. 2004. Web. 16 June 2014.
  11. "ASCAP “Adventurous Programming” Awards Presented at Chamber Music America Conference." ASCAP. ASCAP, 18 Jan. 2005. Web. 16 June 2014.
  12. "ASCAP Adventurous Programming Awards to Be Presented at 2011 Chamber Music America Conference." ASCAP. ASCAP, 07 Dec. 2010. Web. 13 June 2014.
  13. "WORT Wins Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Award." WORT. N.p., 29 Apr. 2002. Web. 23 June 2014.
  14. " 2004 WAMI Award Nominees & Winners." FolkLib. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June 2014.
  15. "2008 WAMI Award Winners (2008 Show)." Wisconsin Area Music Industry. WAMI, n.d. Web. 23 June 2014. Archived 22 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine
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