San Francisco Conservatory Students to Perform With New Century Chamber Orchestra

The students will perform with VC Artist Alexi Kenney as concertmaster in two “Sonic Ecosystems” performances in January 2024

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) and New Century Chamber Orchestra have created a new side-by-side performance project for the conservatory’s students, who will be led by VC Artist Alexi Kenney.

SFCM students will work with and perform alongside New Century’s musicians with Kenney as concertmaster for two multi-media performances. Titled “Sonic Ecosystems,” the concerts will be on January 19 and 20, 2024 — which will also be part of New Century’s 2023/24 subscription season.

The concert program will include Angélica Negrón’s Marejada, illustrating the beaches of Puerto Rico; Gabriella Smith’s Desert Ecology, which centers on the Joshua Tree National Park; and George Enescu’s Octet for Strings, adapted especially for these performances. 

The landscapes reflected in each piece will be translated into visual and sensory experiences by lighting designer Luke Kritzeck and video designer Adam Larsen, whose work has also been featured in the San Francisco Symphony’s SoundBox series.

“The program I’ve devised is a sensory one, taking you from the ocean to the desert to the sky, and finally back down to earth,” Kenney said in the press release. “It’s full of visceral music, both centuries old and brand new, which is imaginative and varied.”

Kenney will also be in residence at SFCM working directly with students the week ahead of the concerts. Kenney is a SFCM pre-college graduate and part of Opus 3 Artists — an artist management company acquired by SFCM in 2020.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have lots of variety in my musical activities: as a soloist, chamber musician, concertmaster, and curator,” he added. “This collaboration is special in that it touches upon each of those elements and, most importantly, promises to be a true collaborative experience.”

“[For SFCM student musicians], this project gives our students not only a chance to experience the demands and work ethics at a professional level,” said SFCM’s string and piano chamber music program chair and viola professor Dimitri Murrath. “Both Alexi Kenney and New Century are constantly looking for new repertoire and creative ways to approach it. This will greatly benefit SFCM students by expanding their artistry.”

Additionally, around seven SFCM students will be selected to perform with the New Century Chamber Orchestra as part of the school winter term project. Founded in 1992, and led by violinist Daniel Hope, New Century comprises 19 members — several of which are SFCM graduates. 

“Everyone at New Century is thrilled to work with SFCM and Alexi Kenney on this educational collaboration," said New Century’s executive director Richard Lonsdorf. “As a conductorless string orchestra, our unique musical language emphasizes communication, collaboration, and creativity for each and every musician on stage. We know how rare it is to get a chance to work and learn in this setting, and we are proud to share our experience with these student musicians.”

“My hope is that the SFCM students who participate in this project will not only gain first-hand insight into how a professional, artist-driven chamber orchestra is run, but will be inspired by the creativity of the experience and will leave feeling empowered to explore their own creative directions through music,” Kenney said. “I’m looking forward to a week of collaboration, exploration, depth, and discovery.”