Present Music

09/04/2026

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐧

Louis Andriessen (1939–2021) — Life (2009): 4. Light

Performed live by Present Music at Turner Hall Ballroom Milwaukee, WI on June 11th, 2021.

WATCH FULL VIDEO: Link in comments

In movement #4 “Light”, Louis Andriessen brings back earlier moments of his illustrative piece “Life”, compositionally looping, reflecting, and recontextualizing those memories.

PERFORMERS (PRESENT MUSIC):
• Nicki Roman – Soprano Saxophone
• Bill Helmers – Clarinet
• Carl Storniolo – Percussion
• Derek Johnson – Electric Guitar
• Adrien Zitoun – Cello
• Christina Dillingham – Bass
• David Bloom – Conductor

PRODUCTION CREDIT:
• Audio Recording: Ric Probst, Remote Planet
• Video Production: TankThink

ABOUT PRESENT MUSIC:
Present Music is Milwaukee’s nationally acclaimed contemporary classical music ensemble. Celebrating 45 years of adventurous programming, Present Music commissions, performs, and records the finest work of living composers.

09/02/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲
(𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟓 - 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔)

We are eternally grateful to our treasured friend and colleague Dan Petry. Not only was he instrumental in establishing Present Music with founder Kevin Stalheim— over the years he helped so many Milwaukee institutions in significant ways.

His gift was an authentic passion for people, and also for music, and he had a magical touch in bringing the two together. That tireless idealism rubbed off on many of us, and his spirit will live on in our work.

Please click on the link in comments for Urban Milwaukee's extensive article on Dan's life and work.

08/28/2026

Here's Steve Martland's unruly 1986 take on a viola da gamba piece from 1701 by Marin Marais.

This performance proves soprano Ariadne Greif's assertion that "Hey, I'm a really good whistler!"

Steve Martland’s "Remix" by PRESENT MUSIC. Recorded live on February 18th, 2023, at the Jan Serr Studio.

Watch our video of the week at the LINK IN COMMENTS.

08/24/2026

𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐃!

Early Bird subscriptions 20% off, ends soon. Please visit the LINK IN COMMENTS

The genesis of the raucous 1963 hit Surfin’ Bird happened in a little bar in Northern Wisconsin, Woodley’s Country Dam in Turtle Lake. The Trashmen heard a cover band doing an R&B medley, and soon released their own version. Come hear Present Music’s fly adaptation on March 24th and 25th, in the midst of an im-peck-able 45th season!

08/21/2026

Present Music's video of the week is of Alex Weiser's "and all the days were purple (2017)," performed on November 22, 2021

Full video available on YouTube (with no commercials 🙂 ) at: LINK IN COMMENTS

Present Music:
Eliza Bagg (voice)
Marianne Parker (piano)
Ilana Setapen (violin)
Erin Pipal (viola)
Adrien Zitoun (cello)
Carl Storniolo (percussion)
Tanner/Monagle (recording and production)
David Bloom (production)

We are excited to announce that vocalist Eliza Bagg will be joining us this Nov. 22nd for Sam Adams' First Work, and a premiere from Angélica Negrón.

08/18/2026

Our Early-Bird Subscription sale ends soon. This is the only time this season you will have to save 20%.

We also offer 3-Concert Flexible subscriptions, as well as Artist and Student discounts.

Starting at just $55, now is the time to lock in your tickets for Present Music's action packed 45th Season!

Subscribe at the LINK IN COMMENTS

08/18/2026

Happy 25th Anniversary to the Quadracci Pavilion at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

"Windhover Hall also has become a popular event space. Present Music, which first performed at the art museum in 1987, played a commissioned work, Kamran Ince's "Flight Box," to celebrate the grand opening of the Quadracci Pavilion in 2001.

Since then, Present Music has performed dozens of concerts in the Calatrava, and will perform there again on May 12, 2027, artistic director Eric Segnitz wrote in an email.

"People love going to concerts there; it's an inspiring setting to be in," Segnitz said. "It also is a natural intersection of people interested in contemporary art and music, and helped Present Music find its audience in the early days."

Kamran Ince's Flight Box will be performed again by Present Music at the Milwaukee Art Museum's Art: Forward Gala on Sat September 19th.

As the Milwaukee Art Museum celebrates 25 years of its iconic Quadracci Pavilion, we look at its lasting impact.

08/14/2026

It's

Present Music performs Emilia Amper's "Spelpuma", featuring Carla Kihlstedt on the nyckelharpa at the Milwaukee Art Museum on April 6th, 2023.

Watch the full video at the LINK IN COMMENTS

Present Music with Carla Kihlstedt, nyckelharpa
Dalia Chin — flute
Barbara Drapcho — clarinet
Don Sipe — trumpet
Michael Clayville — trombone
Carl Storniolo — percussion
John Orfe — harmonium
Derek Johnson — bouzouki
Sharan Leventhal — violin
Eric Segnitz — violin
Erin Pipal — viola
Adrien Zitoun — cello
Christian Dillingham — bass
David Bloom — conductor

08/07/2026

The second installment of our series is Present Music's performance of David Lang's "These Broken Wings (2007): III. Learn to Fly." It was recorded on June 11, 2021.

WATCH FULL VIDEO AT LINK IN COMMENTS

The composer “wanted to make a music that danced and pushed forward, in the hope that it would encourage the musicians to do so as well”.

PRESENT MUSIC:
Conductor: David Bloom
Violin: Eric Segnitz
Cello: Adrien Zitoun
Flute: Jennifer Clippert
Clarinet: Bill Helmers
Piano: John Orfe
Percussion: Carl Storniolo
Engineer: John Tanner
Video: TankThink