Musica Nova

The Eastman Musica Nova Ensemble has been under the direction of Brad Lubman since 1997.  Since that time, the ensemble consistently performs a diverse variety of music by the greatest composers of our time, including Reich, Boulez, Adams, Ligeti, Birtwistle, Rihm, and Haas, in addition to some of the classic works of early 20th century literature by Schoenberg, Webern, and Varese.  Former students from Musica Nova have gone on to become members of some of the most important professional ensembles, like the JACK Quartet, Alarm Will Sound, the MIVOS Quartet, and Ensemble Signal.

In the Fall of 2020, Musica Nova will be our online ensemble, and Prof. Lubman will be leading several projects that include (as to be confirmed) works by Philip Glass, Steve Reich and George Lewis. Additionally, there will be a body of new works by Eastman student composers written specifically for the ensemble, and the composition and performance students will have the opportunity to work with each other during this part of the project. Students will work with Prof. Lubman and his conducting assistants in virtual coachings and participate in online classes with guests to be announced. In addition to Zoom sessions where students will work on style, interpretation and production, and where necessary, students will receive a click track, audio guide tracks, and video of the conductor along with instructions on how to produce a professional-level recording from home.  Students will record their parts individually and group recordings will be assembled by guest producers to be announced. Throughout the semester students will also learn about an array of contemporary ensembles, performers and composers and explore the question of “what might our roles be as artists of our time?”