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Composition Today Interview
Composition Today
Accessible Contemporary Music was started in 1999 by myself and flutist Laura Koepele-Tenges. There were not very many small, low-budget groups performing exclusively new music in the Chicago area so we started ACM to address that need. From the very beginning we decided to embrace a slightly unusual concert format. Our concerts are unusual in that we perform almost exclusively in non-traditional venues like bars, coffee shops, galleries and churches rather than in the concert hall and in that we frequently invite guests who don't fall into the mainstream ideal of a Classical concert to perform with us. In the past we have had improvisors, Jazz groups, electronic musicians and, on our most recent concert, even a Magician. Because of our innovative format we are able to attract a wide ranging audience of people who are mostly unfamiliar with Classical music in general and contemporary Classical in particular, which is where the "accessible" part comes in. Our main goal is to bring music written by living composers to as wide an audience as possible and to present it in an inclusive way in a friendly environment in which people can wear jeans and order a beer if they like. Join our mailing list to stay updated on all ACM activities! |
