[Switch~ Ensemble], 2020 guest ensemble

A new music ensemble for the 21st Century, the [Switch~ Ensemble] is dedicated to the creation of new works for chamber ensemble, integrating technology and live performance. We believe that working directly with composers throughout their creative process—in a medium where the score is a departure rather than a finish line—allows for new and thrilling musical possibilities.

Recent engagements include ensemble residencies at Harvard, Cornell, Bard, University of Chicago, Ithaca College, Buffalo State, and UC Berkeley, as well as performances at the Image/Sound Festival, San Francisco Center for New Music, Valencia International Performance Academy, MATA Interval Series, the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival, the Queens New Music Festival, and the Vanguard New Music Series at Kent State University.

[Switch~] contributes to the future of the genre by strongly advocating for and commissioning the music of a new generation of early career composers. Commissions by and for [Switch~] include works by Katharina Rosenberger, Anna-Louise Walton, Matt Sargent, Esaias Järnegard, Adrien Trybucki, and Timothy McCormack. Additionally, we have performed European or American premieres of major works by composers from across continents, like Alexander Schubert, Elvira Garifzyanova, Santiago Diez-Fischer, Lisa Streich, Rand Steiger, or Anthony Pateras. [Switch~ Ensemble] has been generously supported by the Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung, New Music USA, the Amphion Foundation, the Paul R. Judy Center for Innovation and Research, and more

[Switch~]’s 2019-2020 season highlights include a residency with Harvard Group for New Music, a workshop and performance at UC San Diego for a new commission by Katharina Rosenberger, a return engagement at Eastman Audio Research Studio’s Image/Sound Festival, residencies at the Frost School of Music in Miami and SPLICE Institute in Kalamazoo, and performances in New York City. 

Founded in 2012 at the Eastman School of Music’s Computer Music Center as a flexible-size professional ensemble looking toward the future of contemporary music, the [Switch~ Ensemble] specializes in high-level chamber music integrated with cutting-edge technology. We are passionate about helping to build a diverse canon of 21st century works that leaves space for all voices—especially those that have historically been excluded from our field. Read more about the ensemble and its members at: http://www.switchensemble.com/about/