Sep. 30, 2026
World Premiere of John Orfe’s “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” Musical Arrangement to be Performed by Mizzou Wind Ensemble October 7 at the Missouri Theatre
The world premiere of a new musical arrangement of The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, by acclaimed composer and pianist John Orfe of the Grammy-Award winning new music ensemble, Alarm Will Sound, will be performed by the Mizzou Wind Ensemble at the Missouri Theatre on October 7 at 7:00 pm. Inspired by one of the most iconic events leading to the American Revolution, the performance will be the finale of an evening concert featuring iconic and patriotic works celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. The concert will celebrate…
Sep. 29, 2026
Craig Colorusso’s “Sun Boxes” in the news
More than a thousand people attended the September 22 opening of Craig Colorusso’s Sun Boxes, an interactive display of solar-powered speakers independently playing continuously looping guitar notes. So did the print, television, and radio media. You can read/watch/listen to their coverage below. The event, which celebrated the Autumn Equinox, was held at Pickard Plaza and featured a sunset performance by the Mizzou New Music Initiative Creative Improvisation Collective ensemble, performing the world premiere of Piece for Sun Boxes and Musicians, written for the occasion by Mizzou student composer Dominick DeStefano. …
Sep. 15, 2026
University of Missouri Board of Curators names Mizzou New Music Initiative Artistic Director Stefan Freund a Curators’ Distinguished Professor
Mizzou New Music Initiative Artistic Director Stefan Freund has been named a Curators’ Distinguished Professor, the highest and most prestigious rank bestowed by the Board of Curators. He is one of six University of Missouri faculty members to receive the honor. Freund is a composer and cellist who has helped establish Mizzou’s School of Music as a destination for contemporary music. Through programs including the Mizzou International Composers Festival, Creating Original Music Project, and Missouri Composers Project,…
Sep. 9, 2026
The Mizzou New Music Initiative has released its fall 2026-spring 2027 schedule of events
The Mizzou New Music Initiative has released its fall 2026-spring 2027 schedule of events taking place in Columbia and St. Louis. All concerts are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Fall 2026 Craig Colorusso “Sun Boxes” Installation5 p.m., Tuesday, September 22: Performance with the Mizzou Creative Improvisation Collective, featuring a new piece composed for this project by MU composer Dominick DeStefano, Pickard Plaza (more information can be found here) Mizzou New Music Ensemble Concert7:30 p.m., Sunday, October…
Sep. 8, 2026
“SUN BOXES” OUTDOOR SOUND INSTALLATION AND WORLD PREMIERE CONCERT TO TRANSFORM PICKARD PLAZA INTO LIVING MUSICAL ENVIRONMENT ON SEPTEMBER 22
Internationally-acclaimed sound artist Craig Colorusso and the Creative Improvisation Collective at the University of Missouri School of Music will transform Pickard Plaza on September 22 from 5-7 p.m. into an immersive musical environment featuring Colorusso’s innovative Sun Boxes sound installation and the world premiere of a music composition written for this occasion by Mizzou student composer Dominick DeStefano. Sun Boxes consists of 20 solar-powered speakers, each independently playing a continuously looping guitar note. Together, the notes create a sustained B-flat chord, but because every loop is a different length, the composition is constantly shifting and evolving. Visitors become part…
Sep. 8, 2026
Three MNMI-associated composers represented on the American Composers Orchestra’s “2023 Earshot Readings” Album
Three composers associated with the Mizzou New Music Initiative are represented on a new album by the American Composers Orchestra. Released August 21, 2026 on Presto Music’s Platoon label, 2023 EarShot Readings features works by Oswald Huỳnh, Daniel Sabzghabaei, and Brittany J. Green. Huỳnh’s Gia Đình, Green’s Rencontres, and Sabzghabaei’s (گر آتش بارد به پیکرم)Hommage à Khāleqī were recorded in New York City’s Tishman Auditorium at the SONiC Festival’s 31 st EarShot Readings. The performances were conducted by Tito Muñoz and developed with…
Aug. 18, 2026
Katherine Balch and David Longstreth Named Distinguished Guest Composers for 2027 Mizzou International Composers Festival; Applications Open for Resident Composers
Internationally acclaimed composer Katherine Balch and American songwriter and composer David Longstreth will serve as Distinguished Guest Composers at the 18th annual Mizzou International Composers Festival (MICF), which will take place July 25-31, 2027 in Columbia, Missouri. Applications are now open for eight Resident Composers to write new works for GRAMMY Award-winning Resident Ensemble Alarm Will Sound. The 18th annual MICF will feature concerts of music by contemporary composers performed in front of live audiences, along with in-person workshops, master classes, and other events.
Aug. 9, 2026
Utku Asuroglu, University of Missouri School of Music Assistant Professor of Composition and Assistant Artistic Director of the Mizzou International Composers Festival, Awarded 2026 Music Commission from Library of Congress’ Koussevitzky Foundation
The Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress has awarded Utku Asuroglu, University of Missouri School of Music Assistant Professor of Composition and Assistant Artistic Director of the Mizzou International Composers Festival, a commission to compose a new musical work. He is one of six composers worldwide to win the commission, which is granted jointly by the foundation and the performing organization that will present the world premiere of each work. Ensemble Dal Niente co-sponsored Asuroglu’s commission. Based in Chicago, Ensemble…