International Contemporary Ensemble: Composing While Black

One of the world's great new-music ensembles, the International Contemporary Ensemble, comes to Toronto for a concert and public discussion led by composer George E. Lewis. The programme features three Canadian premieres (Yaz Lancaster, Corie Rose Soumah, Marcos Balter) and world premieres by Beth Coleman and NMC Composer-in-Residence Rashaan Allwood, alongside Joshua Uzoigwe's Talking Drums. A 4:30 pm pre-concert discussion precedes the 7:30 pm performance.

4:30–6:00 pm pre-concert discussion with Rashaan Allwood, George Elliott Clarke and Beth Coleman, including a Young Artist Overture: George Lewis, Un petit brouillard cerebral (2020) for solo violin (Humberto Ramírez). Doors 7:00 pm; main show 7:30 pm. Programme: Yaz Lancaster: ourselves in the other (2025, Canadian premiere) Corie Rose Soumah: Tossed Parachutes of Lilacs and Lungs (2025, Canadian premiere) Marcos Balter: Árvore (2025, Canadian premiere) Joshua Uzoigwe: "Egwu Amala" from Talking Drums (1991) Beth Coleman: Halting State (2026, world premiere) Rashaan Allwood: Free...from Life's Prisons (2026, world premiere) International Contemporary Ensemble: Rebekah Heller, conductor; Isabel Lepanto Gleicher, flute; Emmalie Tello, clarinet; Modney, violin; Laura Cauley, violin; Kal Sugatski, viola; Lester St. Louis, cello; Randy Zigler, bass; Dan Lippel, guitar; Jacob Greenberg, piano; Levy Lorenzo, percussion. Tickets: $30 regular; $25 seniors (65+); $10 students. In partnership with the University of Toronto Faculty of Music.