Composition Studio

New Music Performances

Music by living composers is a central facet of the UNCSA experience, and student compositions are a crucial part of that creative climate. Below is a listing of performances of new music for Fall 2025.

Tuesday, Sep. 2

Balourdet String Quartet – Guest ensemble performs Paul Novak's "impossible inventions." Watson Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sep. 13

UNCSA Symphony Orchestra – Guest conductor Michelle Merrill leads the orchestra in a performance of Jessie Montgomery's "Transfigured to Grace." Brendle Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sep. 20

Splinter Reeds – Guest reed quintet performs music by Dai Fujikura, Mario Godoy, Niloufar Nourbakhsh, Jon Yu, Daniel Coral and Paula Matthusen. Watson Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sep. 27

Radiant Lights – Faculty artists Kevin Lawrence and Dmitri Shteinberg perform John Corigliano’s "Sonata" for violin and piano.  Watson Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sep. 28

Into the Woods - New music featuring oboe and English horn including Alyssa Morris’ "Chrysalis," Jenni Brandon’s "Wood Song," Alexandra Gardner’s "Lantana" and Jacob TV’s "Garden of Love," all performed by faculty artist Rachel Messing.  Watson Hall, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 14

UNCSA Symphony Orchestra - Guest Conductor Chelsea Tipton leads the orchestra in the premiere of Lawrence Dillon’s "Vanishing." Brendle Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 1

Ofrenda - Faculty artists Jodi Burns, Allison Gagnon, Rachel Messing, Stephanie Patterson, Maria Serkin, Paul Sharpe and Brooks Whitehouse perform Lori Laitman’s "I never saw another butterfly," Jimena Contreras’ "Un canto a las mujeres del viento," Guadaloupe Perales "Intertwined: Color Changes" and the premiere of a new trio by Amanda Harberg. Watson Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

Seeking Warmth - Faculty artists Janet Orenstein, Brooks Whitehouse and Allison Gagnon perform John Harbison’s "Four Songs of Solitude," Andrea Casarrubios’ "Amid a Place of Stone," Arvo Pärt’s "Spiegel im Spiegel," Bright Sheng’s "The Stream Flows" and Rodion Schedrin’s "Three Funny Pieces." Watson Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 5

Watson Brass - Faculty ensemble performance includes the premiere of a new work by a UNCSA student composer, winner of the Watson Brass Composition Competition. Watson Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 8

Chiaro/Oscuro - Faculty artists Phyllis Pancella and Dmitri Vorobiev will be joined by guest soprano Charli Mills in a premiere of a new song cycle by Michael Dodds. Watson Hall, 7:30 p.m. 

Sunday, Nov. 23

Percussion Unbound - Students of Ksenija Komljenovic play David Skidmore’s "Torched and Wrecked," Alejandro Viñao’s "The Book of Grooves," Ivan Trevino’s "Catching Shadows," Thierry De Mey’s "Musique de Table" and Steve Reich’s "Pieces of Wood." Watson Hall, 7:30 p.m.