By Adela Skowronski | May 18, 2026
Nova Linea Musica returns for a new season of world premieres. The 2026-27 series will debut nine commissioned pieces between September 2026 and May 2027.
One of Chicago’s new music incubators, Nova Linea Musica is a chamber music series occurring in Guarneri Hall on select Wednesday nights. All tickets include access to pre-concert lectures and post-concert receptions, offering multiple chances to interact with composers, performing artists, and their new works.
Composers who were commissioned for the 2026-27 season include Clarice Assad, Curtis Stewart, Stacy Garrop, Zhou Tian, Juri Seo, Ivan Rodriguez, and Mehmet Ali Sanlikol. Their works will be performed by a variety of ensembles, including JACK String quartet, Borromeo String Quartet, Poiesis Quartet, and Nois Saxophone quartet, along with guest soloists in various configurations. Programs for each concert will feature a mix of chamber music staples along with complementary contemporary works.
One notable concert is the milestone 90th birthday celebration of Philip Glass. On October 28, 2026, NLM will celebrate the legendary minimalist composer with a program featuring Avery Fisher Career Grant awardee flutist Demarre McGill, NLM Artist-in-Residence Rabia Brooke, and NLM’s own Artistic Director Desirée Ruhstrat. The organization will also release their first multimedia project this season: a short film called My Childhood Memories with music by Pulitzer Prize finalist Chen Yi. More information about the project’s debut will be released as the season begins.
NLM’s supportive artist programs will continue parallel to the season’s mainstage concerts. The Nova Linea Musica Score Call awards three U.S.-based composers a performance and recording of their work, as well as mentorship with composer Clarice Assad. The organization will also host their annual Young Artist Chamber Music Competition, which grants multiple prizes to winning ensembles.
