A Letter From the Artistic Director

Dear Music Lover,

I am delighted to welcome you to the fourth annual Composers Now Festival. This year’s citywide celebration takes place over the course of the month of February, an expansion from the initial two years, which consisted of weeklong festivities.

From concert halls to jazz mobiles, from opera stages to experimental performance spaces, from conservatories to museums, we invite you to join us in honoring and celebrating the creative forces behind some of today’s most diverse and captivating music. True to our mission, the “Composers” of “Now” will be in attendance at all the events, participating in performances, panel discussions, and interactions with the audiences.

The festival features soloists and ensembles, World and New York Premieres, emerging and established talents- a plethora of sounds and styles.

The Composers Now Festival opens on February 2nd with “The Music of Now” a daylong marathon at Symphony Space. For the rest of the month, there are dozens of events in venues all across the city.

We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to the Composers of Now!

Tania León, Composer – Conductor
Artistic Director, Composers Now Festival

Origins of the Festival

Composers Now was born from a friendly dinner conversation between composer/conductor Tania León and Symphony Space Artistic Director Laura Kaminsky, also a composer. They thought that their colleagues in composition held a very important role in the musical ecosystem, but often were invisible to the public.

"You know," said Tania, "the role of the composer in our society is huge; we need to find a way to raise awareness and appreciation of this important community of creators. I would love to see composers as visible as poets. After all, we have National Poetry Month. Why not do the same for composers? Composers today are creating the sonic legacy of tomorrow. They need to become better known for their contributions in all genres and in all communities, and with this awareness and understanding, they will be more deeply valued."