New Music Chicago is proud to continue its free, monthly concert series titled New Music Chicago Presents that showcases the diversity and creativity of its members. In partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and Experimental Sound Studio, New Music Chicago Presents takes place from 7:30 to 8:30pm (central) every THIRD Tuesday of the month, live-streamed onto NMC’s YouTube page. All lead performers are members of New Music Chicago.
Curated and hosted by Ben Zucker with Adam Kennaugh, the New Music Chicago Presents series will bring a new body of repertoire and innovative performances to listeners in Chicago and beyond while also exposing new audiences to the world-class new music being created among Chicago musicians.
See the 2021 NMCP performances here.
See the 2022 NMCP performances here.
See the 2023 NMCP performances here.
See the 2024 NMCP performances here.
Want to perform on NMCP?
Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis! Click here to submit a proposal.
NMCP 2025 Submissions Call
In the spirit of increasing collaboration between NMC members, select performers will be accepting works for consideration on their concerts!
This call is for New Music Chicago members ONLY. Please email a score and recording (if available) to communications@nullnewmusicchicago.org, with the subject line “NMCP Submission – [Performer]”.
See below for the list of performers open to submissions, and any notes on their specifications. Submissions are due three months before the concert date in the interest of giving performers adequate time to prepare any material they receive. Due to preparation, program length, thematic choice, or logistical concerns, it is ultimately up to the performer’s discretion to include submissions on their program.
NMC Presents 2025 Season Roster
Sapphire Wind Quintet: Dreams In Winter
January 21, 2025
Sapphire Wind Quintet, Chicago’s premiere all-female woodwind quintet, kicks off their 24-25 program by celebrating a contemporary take on an old idea—the four seasons and the emotions surrounding them.
Read the full program.
Watch here.
Juliani Ensemble
February 18, 2025
Sibling duo Anita and Julian Graef present a program of duo works for violin and cello by living composers, examining varying aspects of nature as well as cross-cultural exploration.
Beyond This Point: Musician Minus Instrument
March 18, 2025
What happens to musical virtuosity when you replace 4 strings, 88 keys, or a tube of brass with an IKEA desk lamp, a loose jack cable, or a table covered in bubble wrap? Living up to their name, Beyond This Point poses this question with a program that simultaneously breaks and expands what what it means to be a musician and a performer, and what exactly constitutes an “instrument”.
Echoes and Influences:
Sasha Ishov Plays Joji Yuasa:
April 15, 2025
A recital honoring the legacy of composer Joji Yuasa (1929–2024) through works by him, his contemporaries, and those he inspired. Curated by flutist Sasha Ishov and featuring Chicago-based and visiting guest performers, the program showcases solo and chamber works exploring the interconnected lineage of the postwar Japanese and Korean avant-garde.
Sarah Plum: New Music for Solo Violin and Viola
May 20, 2025
Featuring music by Jeffrey Mumford, Sidney Corbett, Tonia Ko, Osnat Netzer, and Kyong Mee Choi
The _____ Experiment: Faux fuyant
June 17, 2025
The _____ Experiment (pronounced The “Blank” Experiment)
is a flexible instrumentation new music ensemble; this concert
showcases works for oboe (Ava Wirth) and saxophones (Andrew Hosler).
Open to submissions!
Send works for oboe and/or saxophone to info@nullnewmusicchicago.org with the subject line “NMCP June 2025 submission” by March 1.
Wurtz-Berger Duo:
New Memories, Lost Memories
July 15, 2025
Amy Wurtz and Alyson Berger’s acclaimed duo presents two new commissions, a Midwest premiere, and more recent work for cello and piano.
Open to submissions!
Send works for cello and piano to info@nullnewmusicchicago.org with the subject line “NMCP July 2025 submission” by June 1.
Duo Entre-Nous:
doppelgänger
August 19, 2025
Hailed as the world’s leading clarinet and saxophone duo, Duo Entre-Nous presents the world premiere of a work by Zachary Good, the American premiere of Chris Dench’s “Poly(m)etric Threads”, and music by NMC composers Megan DiGeorgio and Ben Zucker.
Watch here
Open to submissions!
Send duos for clarinet and saxophone to info@nullnewmusicchicago.org with the subject line “NMCP August 2025 submission” by March 1.
Daniel James Burke: Twilight Furniture
NON:Opera: IS : SI NG
September 16, 2025
A double bill of experimental electroacoustic vocal performances.
Watch here
The Magnificent Misdeeds of Madame Blanc
October 21, 2025
A concert performance of a new opera Paul Scherer, with pianist Marissa Kerbel.
Watch here
Transcendent Souls III
November 18, 2025
An exploration of the the intersection of transness, spirituality, and religion with a queer reimagining of the Ordinary of the Mass. Performed by Benjamin Martin (tenor), J Holzen, (cello), and Olivia Brewer (piano); featuring a premiere by Benjamin T. Martin, works by Yaz Lancaster and Reena Esmail, and arrangements of works by Jacqui Armbruster and Caroline Polachek.
Watch here
Open to submissions!
Send works for tenor, cello, and/or piano to info@nullnewmusicchicago.org with the subject line “NMCP November 2025 submission” by August 1. Performers are particularly interested in works by trans, nonbinary, gender queer, gender fluid, or gender nonconforming, or LGB composers.
Missing Piece & Cacie Miller:
Subscendental Etudes
September 16, 2025
Cacie Miller & Missing Piece perform “Subscendetal Etudes” — an evening-length improvisatory piano trio by Ben Zucker, composed for Miller’s “Composing The Climate” project.
Watch here