Colin Stetson

Colin Stetson is a versatile wind and brass player who can be heard solo performing his latest, New History of Warfare. He has lent his voice to a number of other recordings and performances, including Arcade Fire, Tom Waits,  TV on the Radio. Recently he has been touring with Bell Orchestre in support of their most recent Juno nominated release, As Seen Through Windows.

2010 Festival

The festival opens Tuesday, March 30th with arresting harpist and songwriter Joanna Newsom, Robin Pecknold will open the show. Wednesday, March 31st, St Vincent, led by composer, singer and guitar virtuoso Annie Clark, will present works from their widely acclaimed latest release, Actor, as well as new works venturing deeper into chamber arranging and composition. The same evening yMusic, will premiere the festival commission written by Clark. Inventive vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Justin Vernon, best known for his work in Bon Iver, presents a rare solo concert to close the festival April 1st.  All concerts will be held at the beautiful and historic Memorial Hall.

Tickets are on-sale now, via the web and by phone 1-800-838-3006.  Single concert tickets are $20; a festival pass for all three concerts is $50.  (Please note 3 day passes and single night tickets for Justin Vernon are SOLD OUT.)  Follow us on twitter to hear if and when tickets become available.

Take a look back at the first four years with this gorgeous and comprehensive retrospective at Each Note Secure.

Esme Kenney Commission

The annual MusicNOW festival commission has been renamed the MusicNOW Esme Kenney Commission in memory of the former School of Creative and Performing Arts student. Last spring in response to the devastating news of Miss Kenney’s death, festival artistic director, Bryce Dessner, reached out to the family and asked to rename the commission in celebration of her life and spirit.This year the commission has been awarded to Annie Clark, who records and performs under the name St. Vincent. Her piece, the first Esme Kenney commission will be premiered Wednesday, March 31st by the accomplished contemporary music ensemble, yMusic. Another effort is underway to remember Miss Kenney with a memorial sculpture planned for the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Jessie Henson, a New York-based artist and former SCPA student will lead the design.Over the past four years the festival has commissioned a number of young musicians to write new music and encouraged them to take risks and explore their artistic vision. Previous commissions include pieces written for the Kronos Quartet by Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire and Bell Orchestre) and Tyondai Braxton (Battles).

An extraordinary evening

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an incredible evening of music at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

Unannounced Performance

MusicNOW 2009 Performance courtesy of Jesse King

Thank You!

Thank you to the Kronos Quartet for a wonderful residency and to the Books who stayed and offered us another great night of music.  Thanks also to the composers, Tyondai Braxton, Bryce Dessner and Richard Reed Parry for sharing their new work.  The festival would not be possible without the generous support of our patrons, sponsors, partners and volunteers.