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 founder and Artistic Director Kevin Stalheim.
Present Music has put on shows in many venues around the world, but primarily performs in Milwaukee.

Background

Present Music was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Kevin Stalheim in 1982. Since its inception, the organization has performed or commissioned composition of new music 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 ticket sales, grants, and donations. Present Music also has an education program called the [|Creation Project].

Concerts

Present Music puts on six or seven 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 Present Music Ensemble has been featured on several different CDs of some of the works that Present Music composers have written, including:
The Creation Project is a program in which Present Music teams one of their in-residence composers with a group of students ranging from little musical understanding to advanced. 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.

Composers in residence

These are the past and present composers in residence for Present Music.

Adventurous programming awards

Present Music is a six-time recipient of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Adventurous Programming Award. Among the six awards are:
The Present Music Ensemble has been the recipient of the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award in the Classical Group category. Some of the years in which Present Music was the winner of this award are 2002, 2004, and 2008.