User:StephenD743/Present Music

Present Music is a contemporary nonprofit music organization and ensemble based in Milwaukee, WI. It was founded in 1982, and is currently led by Artistic Director Kevin Stalheim. Present Music has put on shows in many venues around the world, but mostly performs in theaters in Milwaukee.

Background
Present Music was founded in Milwaukee by Kevin Stalheim in 1982. Since its inception, the organization has found or commissioned composition of new music for its performances, and has performed and commissioned music made only by living composers. Its music is considered to be 21st Century music, and is often polystylistic and eclectic, incorporating unique instrumentation and musical techniques. Present music is nonprofit, and is supported by their ticket sales as well as by grants and donations. In addition to the performance and composition, Present Music also has an education aspect, the Creation Project being a significant example.

Concerts
Present Music puts on several concerts every season, many of which operate around a central theme or idea. In addition to the musical aspects of the presentations, some of its concerts include an elaborate or immersive visual aspect as well, such as dance or video. As well as hosting many concerts in Milwaukee, Present Music has performed at festivals around the world. Notable Present Music appearances include:
 * The Bang on a Can music festival in New York
 * The Columbia University Composer Portraits Series at Miller Theatre in New York
 * The Interlink Festival of New American Music in Japan
 * The Istanbul International Music Festival in Turkey

Discography
The Present Music Ensemble has been featured on several different CDs of some of the works that Present Music composers have written, including:
 * Flight Box (2001)
 * Haunted America (2002)
 * In White (2004)
 * Michael Torke: 6 (2005)
 * Henry Brandt Collection, Vol. 3 (2006)
 * Graffiti (2009)
 * Kamran Ince (2010)

Creation Project
The Creation Project is a program in which Present Music teams one of their in-residence composers with a group of students with little musical knowledge or understanding. The composer works with the students over 10 weeks to teach them about melody, rhythm, and harmony, culminating in an original composition written by the students. The Creation Project is traditionally done with young people, but has been conducted with members of a senior center as well. ===Present Music Composers in Residence === These are the past and present composers in residence for Present Music.
 * John Adams
 * Timo Andres
 * Thomas Bloch
 * Jeffrey Brooks
 * Ryan Carter
 * Christopher Cerrone
 * Mary Ellen Childs
 * Michael Daugherty
 * John Downey
 * Paul Dresher
 * Alexandra du Bois
 * Sean Friar
 * Annie Gosfield
 * Daron Hagen
 * Kimmo Hakola
 * John Harbison
 * Eleanor Hovda
 * Kamran Ince
 * Ben Johnston
 * Molly Joyce
 * Jerome Kitzke
 * Guy Klucevsek
 * Joan La Barbara
 * Mary Jane Lamond
 * David Lang
 * Daniel Lentz
 * Scott Lindroth
 * Armando Luna
 * Tod Machover
 * Wendy MacIsaac
 * Caroline Mallonee
 * Ingram Marshall
 * Ira Mowitz
 * Amy X Neuburg
 * Russell Platt
 * Eric Segnitz
 * Bright Sheng
 * Roberto Sierra
 * Sigmund Snopek III
 * Carl Stone
 * Michael Torke
 * Lois V. Vierk
 * Qu Xiao-Song

Adventurous Programming Awards
Present Music is a six-time recipient of the The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Adventurous Programming Award. Among the six awards are:
 * First Prize in Adventurous Programming, Self-Presenting Ensemble for the 2002-2003 season.
 * Second Prize in Adventurous Programming, Self-Presenting Chamber Ensemble - New Music, for the 2003-2004 Season.
 * First Prize in Adventurous Programming for Small Presenter - Contemporary for the 2009-2010 season.