Portrait of Jessie Montgomery
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Curtis New Music Ensemble celebrates composer-in-residence Jessie Montgomery with a concert featuring works by the Grammy-winning composer, violinist, and educator. Praised as “turbulent, wildly colorful, and exploding with life” (Washington Post), Montgomery’s music fuses classical with vernacular styles, improvisation, poetry, and social consciousness—offering a profound reflection of 21st-century American sound.
A winner of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, Leonard Bernstein Award, and Musical America’s 2023 Composer of the Year, Montgomery explores themes from social justice to the Black diasporic experience with remarkable depth. The program opens with Concerto Grosso, a bold reimagining of the baroque tradition where the solo violinist embraces “choose your own adventure” spontaneity. It concludes with Musings for two violins, inspired by Bartók’s 44 Duos for Two Violins and honors composers like Bach, Hindemith, and Vivaldi. This captivating evening showcases Montgomery’s dynamic voice in modern classical music.
Please note programs and artists are subject to change.
Program
| JESSIE MONTGOMERY | Concerto Grosso |
|---|---|
| JESSIE MONTGOMERY | Musings |
Artists
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Jessie Montgomery Composer-in-Residence
Jessie Montgomery is a Grammy Award-winning composer, violinist, and educator whose work interweaves classical music with elements of vernacular music, improvisation, poetry, and social consciousnes, making her an acute interpreter of 21st-century American sound and experience. Her profound works have been described as “turbulent, wildly colorful, and exploding with life,” (The Washington Post) and are performed regularly by leading orchestras, ensembles, and soloists around the world. In June 2024, Montgomery concluded a three-year appointment as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Mead Composer-in-Residence. She was named Performance Today’s 2025 Classical Woman of the Year.
Montgomery has been recognized with many prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Civitella Ranieri Fellowship, the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, the Leonard Bernstein Award from the ASCAP Foundation, and Musical America’s 2023 Composer of the Year. Since 1999, she has been affiliated with the Sphinx Organization in a variety of roles, including Composer-in-Residence for the Sphinx Virtuosi, its professional touring ensemble. Montgomery holds degrees from The Juilliard School and New York University and is currently a doctoral candidate in music composition at Princeton University. She serves on the Composition and Music Technology faculty at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music.
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Curtis New Music Ensemble
Curtis New Music Ensemble (formerly Ensemble 20/21) features compelling repertoire from the 20th and 21st centuries. With bold collaborations and striking productions, Curtis New Music Ensemble embraces the cutting edge of contemporary classical music through the highest level of artistry.
Special Thanks
Generous support for Curtis New Music Ensemble is provided by the Daniel W. Dietrich II Foundation.
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- Date Apr 4, 2026
- Time 7:00 p.m.
- Location Curtis Institute of Music, Gould Rehearsal Hall