The innovative Cincinnati Soundbox begins its spring series of five New Music concerts tonight (Thursday, April 5) at Chase Public, which is itself celebrating its new home at 2868 Colerain Ave. in Camp Washington. Cincinnati Soundbox lists its goals as:
• Presenting new works by living composers not confined by style, and reflecting a wide scope of voices and experiences in a creative and accessible way.
• Diversifying the Cincinnati music scene with works from both local composers and composers from around the United States and across the world.
• Fostering discussions between composers, performers, and audiences
Tonight’s Solo Soundbox performance at Chase Public starts at 8 p.m. and features violinist Jack Bogard. He will offer world premieres of 2018 works by Marissa DiPronio (Dragonfly), Sullivan Boecker (threading), Ty Niemeyer (come again), Julia Seeholzer (Spun Metal) and Joel Matthys (Three Dissolving Fiddle Etudes). The concert is free.
Next up is another Solo Soundbox performance at 8 p.m. Saturday (April 7), featuring mezzo-soprano Lauren McAllister with percussionist Carlos Camacho at Rohs Street Cafe, 245 W. McMillan Ave. near the University of Cincinnati campus. Admission is $10; tickets at the door. This features world premieres by Ivan Alexander Moscotta (triple sens), Danny Clay (five questions about home and ) and Rachel C. Walker (In passing).
On April 11m Solo Soundbox presents clarinetist Andrea Vos-Rochefort at 8 p.m. at 21c Museum Hotel. A $10 donation is suggested. The concert will feature recent works and world premieres by Laura Harrison (Waves Like Broken Glass), Haerim Seok (Hanabie), Ellen Harrison (Ein Hauch um Nichts, Mara Helmuth (Water Birds) and Mack LaMont — Snow, not ash.
The Cincinnati Diaspora I concert occurs at 7:30 p.m. April 20 at Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St. in Northside, and features the percussionist Allen Otte with four friends. Tickets are $10. The program includes works by Mark Saya (Fiona’s Dance Card), Rachel C. Walker (Forms of falling dust, 辜月), Colleen Phelps (He’s a Dancer Through and Through, Carlos Camacho (Interlude), Marissa DiPronio (Wide Eyes), Daniel Harrison (Under the Sun) and Otte (to be announced)
Cincinnati Diaspora II brings the VIVE! Ensemble under conductor Maria Mercedes Diaz Garcia to Urban Artifact at 7:30 p.m. on May 30. Admission is $10 and it will have as-yet-unannounced work by Paul Poston, Julia Seeholzer, Michael Lanci and Rachel C. Walker.
For more information, visit cincinnatisoundbox.org.
This article appears in Apr 4-11, 2018.