The Third Annual Queens New Music Concert Gets Ready to Rock the Borough

For the best classically trained talent, try the Queens New Music Festival. Organized by the composers’ group Random Access Music, this third annual extravaganza promotes the borough’s composers, musicians, choreographers, artists and ensembles, while also highlighting some out-of-borough talent. This year, attendees who flock to The Secret Theatre in Long Island City from May 16th to May 18th can check out eight distinct — and distinctive — programs, with everything from cello to dance. One of the scheduled performers, TAK (above), is a chamber group comprised of soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, percussion, and electronics. Another crew that’s ready to go is Face the Music (below), the only teen ensemble in the U.S. dedicated to the creation and performance of music by living composers. There is also an “appetizer concert” this year at The Church-in-the-Gardens in Forest Hills on May 10th. Check below for details.

Saturday, May 10 (The Church-in-the-Gardens, 50 Ascan Avenue, Forest Hills)

• 7:30 pm: Musica Reginae’s New Music Composer’s Forum II.

Friday, May 16 (The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd Street, Long Island City)

• 8 pm, Face The Music plays Teen New Music Riot!

Saturday, May 17 (The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd Street, Long Island City)

• 2 pm, Eight Strings & a Whistle showcases the diversity of contemporary American chamber music with flute, viola, cello, and voice.
• 4 pm, H2 Quartet highlights the saxophone repertoire with a guest pianist.
• 6 pm, Duo RoMi, a flute-and-piano ensemble presents Flute Loops.
• 8 pm, Ghost Ensemble does a program of works by Pauline Oliveros, Simon Steen-Anderson, Sky Macklay, Joshua Morris, Ben Richter, Giancinto Scelsi, and Kyle Gann, joined by cellist Meaghan Burke and conductor David Bloom.

Sunday, May 18 (The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd Street, Long Island City)

• 2 pm, Composers Concordance plays with Bill Schimmel, accordion, Demetrius Spaneas, soprano sax, Damien Bassman, drums, and Jacob Miller, poet/narrator. The program includes music by each composer/performer.
• 4 pm, TAK Ensemble.
• 6 pm, Trio Kavak joins the composer-members of Random Access Music to present In the New Sun, an evening of 21st century works written for flute, viola, and harp.

General admission is $20 per concert. A weekend pass costs $50. A one-day pass is $30.