The University of Louisville has long been associated with contemporary music, and its reach goes beyond that of the presitgious Grawemeyer Award for composers. The University of Louisville New Music Festival is an annual event devoted to the promotion of the diverse music of our times. The festival demonstrates the School of Music’s commitment to the study, performance and celebration of contemporary music. Works of the late 20th and 21st century are featured in free, open to the public concerts presented by various ensemble combinations, such as Chamber Music, Electronic Music, Wind Ensemble, New Music Ensemble, Choir and Symphony Orchestra. The festival features many world and American premieres as well as performances of exiting new music presented by faculty, students and guest artists. Each year the festival features a distinguished guest composer who shares her/his work, knowledge and experience with audiences, faculty and students. The guest composer for the 2010 New Music Festival will be Danish composer Per Nørgård, who will be joined by two highly acclaimed artists: Peter Herresthal (violin) and Jakob Kullberg (cello).
Nørgård's vast catalogue will be well-represented in five concerts performed on the evenings of November 8th through November 12th, by faculty artists, the University Wind Ensemble, the University Cardinal Singers and Collegiate Chorale, the University New Music Ensemble, and University Symphony Orchestra.
