NOW Ensemble Residency Brings Contemporary Chamber Music and Career Insights to Lamont

The Lamont School of Music will welcome acclaimed contemporary chamber group NOW Ensemble for a three-day residency, May 19–21, offering students and the broader Lamont community a rare opportunity to engage with one of today’s most innovative performing ensembles.

NOW Ensemble is a world-class, dynamic group of performers and composers dedicated to making new chamber music for the 21st century. Comprised of flute, clarinet, electric guitar, piano, and bass, they have released seven albums over their 20-year history and have commissioned leading composers of their generation including Nico Muhly, Missy Mazzoli, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Sean Friar, Timothy Andres, and Judd Greenstein. 

Its members—flutist Alex Sopp, clarinetist Alicia Lee, pianist Michael Mizrahi, guitarist/composer Mark Dancigers, and bassist Logan Coale—are also active performers with leading ensembles such as yMusic, The Knights, Alarm Will Sound, and the New York Philharmonic, and serve on the faculties of major institutions including the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Lawrence University, and New College of Florida.

During their residency, NOW Ensemble will work closely with Lamont students through rehearsals, workshops, and coaching sessions, culminating in performances of newly commissioned repertoire and student works. The residency also includes several events open to the full Lamont community, beginning with an off-campus concert on May 20 at Muse Performance Space featuring a program of contemporary works. On May 21, the ensemble will offer an Entrepreneurship & Professional Development talk in Hamilton Recital Hall, sharing insights into building a sustainable career in music, before concluding their visit with a public concert in Williams Salon showcasing a dynamic selection of commissioned repertoire.

Residency Schedule

Most events are limited to Lamont students. The evening performances on May 20 and 21 are open to the public. 

Tuesday, May 19
6:00–10:00 p.m.
Williams Salon
Workshop & Recording Session
NOW Ensemble works with Lamont student composers in a workshop and recording session featuring six student works.

Wednesday, May 20
7:00 p.m.
Muse Performance Space (off campus)
NOW Ensemble Concert
Tickets: $21.81
NOW Ensemble performs a program of contemporary works, including Sean Friar’s album Before and After, a world premiere by Annika Socolofsky, and additional new pieces, including a work by a Lamont student composer.

Thursday, May 21

2:00–3:00 p.m.
Location TBD
Coaching Session: Proxyma-B Quintet
A focused coaching session for the Proxyma-B Quintet (wind/reed emphasis) by flutist Alex Sopp.

2:00–3:30 p.m.
Room 222
Composition Seminar Visit
A guest seminar led by Mark Dancigers.

4:00–5:30 p.m.
Hamilton Recital Hall
Entrepreneurship & Professional Development Talk
Open to all students. NOW Ensemble shares insights on building a sustainable career in music, drawing on their experience as performers, collaborators, and educators.

6:00–7:30 p.m.
Williams Salon
Clarinet Masterclass
Led by Alicia Lee.

8:00–10:00 p.m.
Williams Salon
NOW Ensemble in Concert
The residency concludes with a public performance featuring a dynamic program of commissioned works from the ensemble’s repertoire.