Augusta Read Thomas is championing an expansive new composition center at the University of Chicago.
• The Grossman Ensemble, a newly created band of 13 new-music specialists performing three concerts at the university’s Logan Center for the Arts (Dec. 7; March 15; June 7). Repertoire will include 12 world premieres, including seven commissioned works. Each concert will be preceded by eight rehearsals, some open to the public.
• An experimental music series at the Logan Center Performance Penthouse featuring MacArthur Fellow Tyshawn Sorey leading his trio (Nov. 8) and CHIMEfest 2019: Live Electronics Symposium (May 2 and 3).
• Spektral +1, Plus One, in which Chicago’s innovative Spektral Quartet will collaborate with guest instrumentalists to play world premieres of works by graduate student composers at Constellation (Jan. 13).
• A Civic Orchestra of Chicago concert at Symphony Center featuring world premieres by U. of C. graduate students (Feb. 5).
• Visiting ensembles, with Yarn/Wire playing at the Logan Center Performance Hall (Oct. 13) and the ~Nois saxophonist quartet performing new works at the Hairpin Arts Center gallery (April 12).