Rembrandt Chamber Musicians and New Music Chicago Announce New Summer Spotlight Series Supporting Chicago’s Contemporary Music Community
New collaborative series will select three Chicago-based ensembles through an open call for performances in summer 2027
CHICAGO, IL — August 2026 — Rembrandt Chamber Musicians (RCM) and New Music Chicago (NMC) are pleased to announce the launch of the Summer Spotlight Series, a new collaborative initiative dedicated to showcasing the creativity and vitality of Chicago’s contemporary music community.
Through a juried open call, three ensembles will be selected to present concerts in June, July, and August 2027. Designed to create meaningful performance opportunities for emerging artists while encouraging the development of new work, each concert will feature approximately 45-60 minutes of music and must include at least one world premiere.
Applications will open October 1, 2026, and close December 1, 2026, with applications administered and hosted by New Music Chicago.
Creating Opportunities for Illinois Artists
The Summer Spotlight Series brings together the resources and experience of two organizations committed to supporting artists working in contemporary and new music.
Selected ensembles will receive artist fees ($1,000 per ensemble) provided by Rembrandt Chamber Musicians, as well as professional audio & video recording of their concert through New Music Chicago, giving participating musicians both financial support for their performances and high-quality documentation that can continue to serve their artistic careers beyond the series.
The program is open to Illinois-based ensembles of two to eight performers. Pre-existing ensembles are not required, creating opportunities for artists to develop new collaborations specifically for the series. Priority will be given to emerging Illinois artists and ensembles with 1-5 years of performance activity.
By combining performance opportunities, financial support, professional documentation, and the presentation of new work, the Summer Spotlight Series seeks to provide artists with tangible resources while introducing audiences to the breadth of creative music being made throughout Chicago and Illinois.
A Commitment to New Work
The creation of new music is central to the Summer Spotlight Series. Every proposed program must include at least one world premiere, whether a single composition within a larger program or a new concert-length work.
Works do not need to be completed at the time of application. Applicants proposing works still in development may submit a composer letter of commitment along with supporting materials such as score excerpts or audio demos.
Other than the premiere, works on the program may be from any time period. The review panel will assess submissions based on overall thematic cohesion, as determined from the works on the program and the description submitted as part of the application.
Programs should be approximately 45-60 minutes in length, and submitted audio and/or video work samples should represent at least 75% of the musicians proposed for the performance.
Application Requirements
Applicants will be asked to submit:
- A proposed program approximately 45-60 minutes in length with at least one world premiere
- An ensemble roster of 2–8 performers
- Audio and/or video work samples representing at least 75% of the proposed performing artists
- A short artist or ensemble biography
- Program notes or a project description
- For premieres still in progress, a composer letter of commitment and supporting materials such as score excerpts or audio demos
- Proof of Illinois residence for lead applicant
Full application materials and a link to apply will be made available on Rembrandt Chamber Musicians’ and New Music Chicago’s website when applications open on October 1, 2026.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of representatives from Rembrandt Chamber Musicians, and New Music Chicago.
Summer Spotlight Series Timeline
October 1, 2026 — Applications Open
December 1, 2026 — Applications Close
January 2027 — Panel Review
February 2027 — Selected Ensembles Notified
March 2027 — Public Announcement of Artists and Concert Dates
June 2027 — Summer Spotlight Series I
July 2027 — Summer Spotlight Series II
August 2027 — Summer Spotlight Series III
Through the Summer Spotlight Series, Rembrandt Chamber Musicians and New Music Chicago aim to create a recurring platform for adventurous programming, emerging voices, artistic collaboration, and the creation of new work while providing meaningful professional resources to the musicians shaping the future of Chicago’s contemporary music community.
About Rembrandt Chamber Musicians
Founded in 1990, Rembrandt Chamber Musicians is a Chicago-area chamber ensemble and presenting organization committed to championing chamber music in its many forms. For more than 35 years, Rembrandt has presented performances spanning Western classical repertoire, contemporary composition, jazz, and improvised music while bringing together leading local, national, and international artists.
About New Music Chicago
New Music Chicago is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a vibrant and inclusive new music community in Chicago and throughout the region. Through performance, advocacy, collaboration, and professional resources, NMC supports the composers, performers, ensembles, and organizations creating and presenting new music.
ORGANIZATION CONTACTS
Rembrandt Chamber Musicians
Adam Shead, Managing Director
managingdirector@rembrandtchambermusicians.org
New Music Chicago
Ben Zucker, Board President
president@newmusicchicago.org