June 29, 2026
MNMI Artistic Director Stefan Freund’s “The Three Robbers” performed at UMKC
Mizzou New Music Initiative Artistic Director Stefan Freund joined the American Wild Ensemble for a performance of his piece The Three Robbers on Wednesday, June 24, at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Freund’s piece was part of AWE’s 10th anniversary concert, which also included works by Michael-Thomas Foumai, Takuma Itoh, and Chris Stark, all of whom have been Resident Composers at the Mizzou International Composers Festival. The performance continued the decade-long collaborations between the American Wild Ensemble and MNMI, the highlights of which included a fall 2020 performance at Mizzou and…
June 4, 2026
MNMI releases schedule for Mizzou International Composers Festival
The Mizzou New Music Initiative has released the schedule for the 2026 Mizzou International Composers Festival, which takes place Monday, July 20 through Saturday, July 25 in Columbia, Missouri. Public events run from July 21-25. Admission is free. The schedule is as follows: Tuesday, July 21, 7:30 p.m., Sinquefield Music Center (SMC 130)Distinguished Guest Composers Jlin and Karola Obermüller deliver lecture presentations on their works and careers Wednesday, July 22, 7:30 p.m., Sheryl Crow Concert Hall (SMC 132)New-music quartet Yarn/Wire…
March 1, 2026
Six Composers Associated with the Mizzou New Music Initiative Win 2026 American Academy of Arts and Letters Awards in Music
The American Academy of Arts and Letters has announced the winners of its 2026 Awards in Music. Six of them have past or present associations with the Mizzou New Music Initiative. Katherine Balch, a fall 2025 MNMI Guest Composer, and Texu Kim, a 2014 MICF Resident Composer, were among four recipients of Arts and Letters Awards in Music, which “acknowledge composers who have arrived at their own voice.” Each will receive $10,000, plus an additional $10,000 for the recording of a work. A concert with works by each recipient will be performed…
Feb. 12, 2026
Eight Internationally Acclaimed Resident Composers Selected for 2026 Mizzou International Composers Festival
The Mizzou New Music Initiative (MNMI) and 2026 Grammy Award-winning new classical music ensemble Alarm Will Sound have selected eight internationally acclaimed Resident Composers from five countries to participate in the 2026 Mizzou International Composers Festival (MICF). The 17th annual MICF will be presented by the MNMI and the University of Missouri School of Music from Monday, July 20 through Saturday, July 25 in Columbia. It will feature world premieres of new works written by each Resident Composer and performed by Alarm Will Sound. The…
Feb. 2, 2026
Alarm Will Sound, Featuring University of Missouri School of Music Faculty Stefan Freund and Bill Kalinkos, Wins 2026 Grammy Award
Two University of Missouri School of Music faculty members were recognized as winners at the 2026 Grammy Awards on February 1 in Los Angeles. Stefan Freund and Bill Kalinkos are founding members of Alarm Will Sound, whose album Land of Winter won the Grammy for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance. Alarm Will Sound is the ensemble-in-residence for the Mizzou New Music Initiative (MNMI). Freund is a Professor of Music Composition, Co-founder and the Artistic Director of the Mizzou New Music Initiative, and Director of…
Jan. 15, 2026
MICF Resident Ensemble Alarm Will Sound Releases New Work by Composer Matt Smith on its YouTube Channel
Contemporary music ensemble Alarm Will Sound has released As Brightness is to Time, a new work by composer Matt Smith on its YouTube channel. Smith was one of eight composers selected to participate in the 2025 Mizzou International Composers Festival. The piece was recorded at Columbia’s Missouri Theatre during its world premiere performance in July, as part of the 2025 MICF. Alarm Will Sound is the MICF Resident Ensemble and includes two University of Missouri School of Music faculty members, Stefan Freund and Bill Kalinkos. Freund is a Professor of Music Composition, the Artistic Director of the Mizzou New Music Initiative,…
Jan. 15, 2026
MICF Resident Ensemble Alarm Will Sound Releases New Work by Composer Geli Li on its YouTube Channel
Contemporary music ensemble Alarm Will Sound has released The Smell of Sunshine, a new work by composer Geli Li on its YouTube channel. Li was one of eight composers selected to participate in the 2025 Mizzou International Composers Festival. The piece was recorded at Columbia’s Missouri Theatre during its world premiere performance in July, as part of the 2025 MICF. Alarm Will Sound is the MICF Resident Ensemble and includes two University of Missouri School of Music faculty members, Stefan Freund and Bill Kalinkos. Freund is a Professor of Music Composition, the Artistic Director of the Mizzou New Music Initiative, and…
Jan. 15, 2026
MICF Resident Ensemble Alarm Will Sound Releases New Work by Composer Seda Balci on its YouTube Channel
Contemporary music ensemble Alarm Will Sound has released Riffscape, a new work by composer Seda Balci on its YouTube channel. Balci was one of eight composers selected to participate in the 2025 Mizzou International Composers Festival. The piece was recorded at Columbia’s Missouri Theatre during its world premiere performance in July, as part of the 2025 MICF. Alarm Will Sound is the MICF Resident Ensemble and includes two University of Missouri School of Music faculty members, Stefan Freund and Bill Kalinkos. Freund is a Professor of Music Composition, the Artistic Director of the Mizzou New Music Initiative, and Director of the Mizzou New…