Alarm Will Sound and the Mizzou International Composers Festival: A Legacy of Innovation
APPLY TO THE Mizzou international composers festival (Applications Open August 30th)
2025 Distinguished Guest Composers: Hilda Paredes and judd greenstein
The 2025 MICF will feature two renowned composers as Distinguished Guests: Hilda Paredes and Judd Greenstein.
Hilda Paredes, one of the leading Mexican composers of her generation, has been based in London for nearly four decades. Her work is celebrated for its brilliant compositional technique and deep sensitivity to the instruments and individuals for whom she writes. Paredes’ music is known for its versatility, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and incorporating electroacoustic elements. Her opera Harriet, Scenes in the life of Harriet Tubman was awarded the prestigious Ivors Composer Award and hailed as the Best Classical Music of 2018 by Dutch critic Joep Stapel.
Judd Greenstein, an American composer and advocate for the independent new music community, has made significant contributions to the genre-fluid music scene. He is a founder of New Amsterdam Records and the Ecstatic Music Festival, both of which have played crucial roles in opening new channels for participation and representation in contemporary music. Greenstein’s work is characterized by its narrative quality, often blending the chaotic energy of New York City with the tranquility of rural landscapes.
Introduction
For over a decade, Alarm Will Sound has been at the forefront of contemporary music, pushing boundaries and exploring new creative possibilities. A significant part of this journey has been the ensemble’s long-standing collaboration with the Mizzou International Composers Festival (MICF). Since its inception in 2010, this partnership has not only fostered the development of numerous new works but also established a thriving community of composers, performers, and music enthusiasts.
the Mizzou International Composers Festival
The Mizzou International Composers Festival began in 2010 as an initiative by the Mizzou New Music Initiative (MNMI) at the University of Missouri. The festival was envisioned as a platform to support and showcase new music by emerging composers. From the very beginning, Alarm Will Sound was invited to be the ensemble-in-residence, a role that has since become integral to the festival’s identity.
Each year, the festival selects eight resident composers through a competitive application process. These composers are given the unique opportunity to work closely with Alarm Will Sound, who bring their compositions to life through rigorous rehearsals and public performances. In addition to the resident composers, the festival also features two Distinguished Guest Composers, who offer their expertise through workshops, masterclasses, and performances of their own works.
The Scope of the Mizzou International Composers Festival
Over the years, the Mizzou International Composers Festival has grown into a major event in the contemporary music calendar. The festival encompasses public concerts, workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions, with the mission to not only premiere new works but also to engage the wider community in the process of music-making.
The festival is held annually in Columbia, Missouri, usually in late July. It attracts participants and attendees from around the world, including composers, musicians, scholars, and music lovers. The collaborative atmosphere of the festival is one of its most distinctive features, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual support among participants.
Accomplishments of the Mizzou International Composers Festival
The accomplishments of the Mizzou International Composers Festival are numerous and far-reaching. To date, Alarm Will Sound has premiered over 120 new works at the festival, many of which have gone on to receive further performances and recordings. The festival has also played a crucial role in launching the careers of many young composers, providing them with a platform to showcase their work to a global audience.
Some notable alumni of the festival include composers like Amy Beth Kirsten, Chris Dietz, Oswald Huỳnh, and Texu Kim, whose works have since been performed by leading ensembles and orchestras around the world. The festival has also featured collaborations with prominent guest composers such as Tania León, George Lewis, and Meredith Monk, who have contributed their expertise and inspired the next generation of composers.
distinguished guest composers
2024: Mary Kouyoumdjian and George Lewis
2023: Marcos Balter and Tania León
2022: Meredith Monk and Angélica Negrón
2020 & 2021: David T. Little and Chen Yi
2019: Donnacha Dennehy and Amy Beth Kirsten
2018: Alex Mincek and Robert Morris
2017: Georg Friedrich Haas and Dan Visconti
2016: Oscar Bettison and Erin Gee
2015: Hans Abrahamsen and Andrew Norman
2014: Zhou Long and Nico Muhly
2013: Daniel Kellogg and Augusta Read Thomas
2012: Donnacha Dennehy and Steven Stucky
2011: Anna Clyne and Roger Reynolds
2010: Derek Bermel and Martin Bresnick
continuing legacy
The partnership between Alarm Will Sound and the Mizzou International Composers Festival has been a resounding success, fostering innovation and creativity in the field of contemporary music. As the festival continues to grow and evolve, it remains a vital platform for the creation and dissemination of new music. Alarm Will Sound’s ongoing commitment to this festival reflects the ensemble’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of composers and ensuring that the future of music is as bold and adventurous as its past.
