From the composer’s imagination to the concert hall, watch as 12 emerging composers have their newest works performed for the first time. David Alan Miller, composer Christopher Theofanidis, and musicians of the Albany Symphony guide each new voice through the challenges of composing in the 21st century. In between the readings, audience members can sample new craft beers from local upstate breweries.

Percussionists wanted!

Inuksuit is inspired by the stone sentinels constructed over the centuries by the Inuit in the windswept expanses of the Arctic. Dozens of percussionists will bring this aural experience like none other to life at Riverfront Park, and welcome you to walk among them to experience how the sound comes together.

After the Albany Symphony’s Season Finale, head over to Lucas Confectionery for a relaxed Late Night Lounge experience with Carol Daggs.

David Alan Miller, conductor | Gloria Cheng, piano | Timothy McAllister, saxophone

John Williams: Prelude and Scherzo (American premiere)

Gabriella Smith: Field Guide

John Corigliano: “Triathlon” for Saxophonist and Orchestra

Steven Stucky: Radical Light

Described as “exhilarating” by The New York Times and “utterly mesmerizing” by The Guardian, the ensemble Sandbox Percussion is a leading proponent of contemporary percussion chamber music. Watch and hear them perform Andy Akiho’s Seven Pillars, a performance-length masterwork that earned the composer and the ensemble Grammy nominations last year.

Explore the stories of endangered and threatened species in our region through new music by Tanner Porter, Takuma Itoh and Carlos Bandera, written in collaboration with area students, teachers and scientific experts.

Tanner Porter: Sturgeon (world premiere)

Takuma Itoh: Tear in the Clouds (world premiere)

Carlos Bandera: Echolocations (world premiere)

Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring (original chamber orchestra version)

Following the exhilarating Dogs of Desire performance, head over to Table 41 Brewing for a laid-back Late Night Lounge experience with Jordan Taylor Hill.

David Alan Miller, conductor | Dogs of Desire

Natalie Draper: Biking to Amsterdam, NY (world premiere)

Jack Frerer: Moments in Motion, the music of Bear Grass (world premiere)
Featuring Katie Hammon, vocalist and founder of Bear Grass

Bobby Ge: In Search of Standard Time (world premiere)
Featuring ESYO Percussion

Loren Loiacono: Empire Lines for Percussion Quartet and Sinfonietta (world premiere)
Featuring Sandbox Percussion

Andre Myers: The New Colossus (world premiere)

Captivating, fresh, and cutting edge, the Dogs of Desire is always a highlight of the American Music Festival. A singular concert experience featuring newly penned works by today’s most adventurous composers. Hear it here first, before the ink dries!

Christopher Theofanidis will lead a conversation with soloists Gloria Cheng and Timothy McAllister about the Season Finale program. The talk is open to the public with no RSVP required, and is made possible by the generous volunteers of Vanguard, an independent non-profit dedicating to supporting the Albany Symphony. This event will also be streamed live on our Facebook page.

Tickets are $10 or FREE with an American Music Festival Pass

Dogs of Desire | David Alan Miller, conductor

Combining the power of popular culture with the finesse of a classical ensemble, Dogs of Desire is a laboratory for today’s most exciting and compelling composers. Get an insider’s look at the creative process as David Alan Miller works with composers and musicians to prepare the Dogs for five world premieres.

Featuring works by Natalie Draper, Jack Frerer, Bobby Ge, Loren Loiacono, and Andre Myers.

Christopher Theofanidis and other Festival teaching composers critique and work with our Composer Workshop participants to hone their craft.

Free and open to the public!