Apparently it is the season of new orchestral music. Tonight I’m returning to my old stomping grounds, New Haven, to hear what the second-year MM students have come up with for the annual New Music New Haven vs. Philharmonia smackdown. Expectations are running high. You can listen to the live stream here.

Friday Thursday night, the New York Philharmonic inaugurates its new music series, CONTACT! (yes, you have to write it that way). And it’s conveniently at SymphonySpace, right in my neighborhood. I haven’t heard any of the composers on the program except for Dalbavie. All the more reason to check it out. I’ll probably write little reactions to both of these concerts; stay peeled/keep your eyes tuned.

The cap it all off, I’m in the final throes of writing an orchestra piece, the last one for a little while (I hope. Writing for orchestra is slow and exhausting). This particular piece is a concerto for violinist/violist Owen Dalby and the Albany Symphony, so, top-notch all around. It will be premièred in March.