I’m writing from Pittsburgh, where the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble‘s 40th season begins this weekend. Playing with this group is always a highlight of the year for me – the PNME team finds an unbelievable blend of theatricality and music, and the result is deeply meaningful. We’re presenting four programs this month, and we open with a world premiere evening-length show by Kieren MacMillan. The piece is a tribute to a longtime PNME patron, and Kieren’s score tears me to pieces every time we play it. Please join us if you’re in the area – first-time audience members get their tickets on the house.
The season also includes premieres by Dan Visconti and our founder David Stock, along with works by Gyorgy Ligeti, Kevin Puts, Steve Reich, Roger Zahab, and much more. If you’re in or near Pittsburgh this month, check us out. See our full season here.

In August, I return to the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival for two programs, including Stravinsky’s classic L’Histoire du Soldat - with a new narration by Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters.

Finally, I head up to Maine for the Bay Chamber Concerts Summer Music Festival. This is my first time at Bay Chamber, and they are not skimping on the percussion. I’m playing in three different programs over five days – featuring collaborations with Jeffrey Zeigler, Gyan Riley, the Aeolus Quartet, and members of Decoda - plus I’ll perform Frederic Rzewski’s To The Earth as a prelude to a daily noontime program. There’s music by Andy Akiho, Timo Andres, David Crowell, Kevin Puts,Paola Prestini, and much more.