The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) and New Century Chamber Orchestra (New Century) are announcing a new partnership bringing together students and professional musicians led by violinist Alexi Kenney, culminating in two performances January 19 and 20 inside the Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall at SFCM. The concerts are part of New Century’s 2023-2024 subscription season.

This mixed-media experience, Sonic Ecosystems, will immerse concert goers on a visual and audio journey from the Puerto Rican beaches of Angélica Negrón’s Marejada to the stark beauty of Joshua Tree National Park in Gabriella Smith’s Desert Ecology, culminating in a lush, romantic garden of sound in George Enescu’s Octet for Strings, adapted for the joint forces of SFCM and New Century. Designers Luke Kritzeck (lighting) and Adam Larsen (video), whom local audiences may know for their work on the San Francisco Symphony’s SoundBox series, will bring these landscapes to life in vivid relief throughout the show.

"The program I’ve devised is a sensory one, taking you from the ocean to the desert to the sky, and finally back down to earth. It’s full of visceral music, both centuries old and brand new, which is imaginative and varied," Kenney said of the project. 

Kenney will also be in residence at SFCM working directly with students the week ahead of the performances. Kenney is a SFCM Pre-College graduate and an Opus 3 Artists, the leading artist management company acquired by SFCM in 2020.

"Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have lots of variety in my musical activities: as a soloist, chamber musician, concertmaster, and curator. This collaboration is special in that it touches upon each of those elements and, most importantly, promises to be a true collaborative experience," Kenney added. 

For SFCM student musicians, "this project gives our students not only a chance to experience the demands and work ethics at a professional level," said Chair of the String and Piano Chamber Music program and viola professor Dimitri Murrath, "In addition, both Alexi Kenney and New Century are constantly looking for new repertoire and creative ways to approach it. This will greatly benefit SFCM students by expanding their artistry," he added. 

About seven SFCM students will be selected to perform with the 19-member New Century orchestra as part of a Winter Term project. "Everyone at New Century is thrilled to work with SFCM and Alexi Kenney on this educational collaboration," said Richard Lonsdorf, the executive director of New Century, "As a conductorless string orchestra, our unique musical language emphasizes communication, collaboration, and creativity for each and every musician on stage. We know how rare it is to get a chance to work and learn in this setting, and we are proud to share our experience with these student musicians."

New Century Chamber Orchestra. Photo by Scott Chernis.

One of only a handful of conductorless chamber ensembles in the world, New Century Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1992 and includes 19 string players, several of which are SFCM graduates. Violinist Daniel Hope has been the ensemble’s Music Director since 2018, and this year, New Century just released their first recording under Hope’s leadership, Music for a New Century.

"My hope is that the SFCM students who participate in this project will not only gain first-hand insight into how a professional, artist-driven chamber orchestra is run," Kenney added, "but will be inspired by the creativity of the experience and will leave feeling empowered to explore their own creative directions through music. I’m looking forward to a week of collaboration, exploration, depth, and discovery."

Guests are asked to purchase tickets through New Century Chamber Orchestra for "Sonic Ecosystems" performances on January 19, 2024 at 7:30 pm and January 20, 2024 at 7:30 pm.