EnsembleNEWSRQ Presents a New Start for 2020-2021

September 28, 2020 – Sarasota

In celebration of our fifth season, ensembleNEWSRQ (enSRQ) is pleased to announce our 2020-2021 season “newStart”. enSRQ will take a cautious and intentional approach as we reintroduce live musical performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The five programs throughout the season will gradually increase in size as we continue to monitor the pandemic and the potential vaccine development. Our concerts will be offered in a digital streaming format and if the situation allows, we will offer concerts to a small in-person audience in 2021. Tickets to the streamed concerts will be “pay what you can.” Free for all who need musical nourishment during this time with support from those who can afford to give.

enSRQ knows that Black Lives Matter. enSRQ’s “newStart” 20/21 season increases the diversity of the composers represented on our stage, as we work toward a more prosperous, humane, and musically vibrant future, refocusing our concentration on female, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC composers whose works have been historically under-represented. As part of enSRQ’s commitment to creating and celebrating new work, two commissions are underway from composers Tyson J. Davis and Elizabeth A. Baker to be premiered in future seasons.

Interacting with our audience members remains integral to the culture of enSRQ. Virtual post concert receptions will take place after streamed programs via Zoom and Instagram, and additional recorded content and other pre-concert material will supplement our concert offerings this season.

IT’S ABOUT TIME – October 19, 2020: 8pm, Streaming Online

We return to our roots in our season-opener presenting a program of solo and duo works by a diverse field of composers performed by Co-Artistic Directors Samantha Bennett, violin and George Nickson, percussion. 

Kevin Day: The Mind is Like Water

Tania Leon: De Color

Francis Schwartz: Solace On My Mind #3

Katherine Balch: Iaspis

Katherine Balch: Responding to the Waves

Nico Muhly: It’s About Time

SOLITUDE AND SUFFRAGE – January 18, 2021: 8pm, Venue TBD

This program for clarinet, strings, and piano celebrates the historic event of womens’ suffrage in the United States and a time to reflect on the solitude that the COVID-19 quarantine era has caused for many across the world.

Quinn Mason: The 19th Amendment

Mark-Anthony Turnage: An Invention on ‘Solitude’

ENTER THE VORTEX – February 15, 2021: 8pm, Venue TBD

Two of the twentieth century’s most enigmatic masters come together for Phillipe Hurel’s virtuosic tribute and Gerard Grisey’s seminal evening length work in this program that has been rescheduled from our 2019-2020 season. 

Phillippe Hurel: Tombeau, In Memoriam Gerard Grisey

Gerard Grisey: Vortex Temporum

DIGITAL – March 15, 2021: 8pm, Venue TBD

Rescheduled from the 2019-2020 season, we celebrate the diversity of style and duality of current American acoustic music. With two new commissions, we’re hardwired for creating masterpieces of the modern age.

Patrick Harlin: Digital

David Maric: Mallet Quartet (Co-Commission and Florida Premiere)

Max Grafe: Shadow Theater for Violin, Piano, and Percussion (Commission and World Premiere)

Ken Ueno: Pharmakon

BODY VESSEL – April 12, 2021: 3 pm, Westcoast Black Theatre

A partnership with The Hermitage Artist Retreat brings alive Helga Davis’ Greenfield Prize winning commission, Body Vessel.

Helga Davis: Body Vessel