The Hamilton International Contemporary Music Festival (HICMF) takes place on April 26, 2026, and featuring international premieres in a showcase of new voices in contemporary music. The ambitious program celebrates international collaborations, and the power of contemporary music to connect both audiences and artists across borders.
HICMF was founded by award-winning composer and flutist Chikako Iversen and co-produced with Stephen Morris.
Born in Japan, Iversen recently relocated to Hamilton. “My living location has changed, and this is the only way that I know how to live: keep creating, composing and playing,” says Iversen in a statement.
Morris first discovered Iversen’s work at a festival in Japan. After connecting, the duo began the work of creating a Canadian version of the version. Their inaugural concert took place in February 2025. They’ve since added Artistic Adviser David Jaeger and Musical Adviser Bob Becker to their team.
The Program
Both established and emerging composers are featured in the program for April 26, including:
- Weaving — Chikage Imai
- Verde Malachite — Chikako Iversen
- Entrance — Stephen Morris
- Dark Night Above the Woods — Michael Blazek
- Sequenza VIIb — Luciano Berio
- Two Tigers — David Jaeger
- The Machine, The Heart — Boya Liu
- Turbulence — Tianci Lu
- A Vertical Dream — Mehrdad Jafari Raad
Lu, Liu, and Jafari Raad were selected through HICMF’s 2025 call for scores, representing a new generation of composers. Last year’s finalist, Michael Blazek, is also featured in the program, along with a special performance of Artistic Adviser David Jaeger’s Two Tigers for marimba and flute.
“The colour of the sound and space to breathe is how I proceed. It is sensitive and dynamic,” says Chikako. Her own approach to composition is i nspired by Toru Takemitsuj, and others, and performers like John Fonville. She considers sound as an emotional, spatial, and transformative experience.
“What excites me is everything,” says Iversen. “The fabulous musicians and the beautiful compositions.”
The HICMF Ensemble is:
- Katie Kirkpatrick, flute
- Kailan Fournier, clarinet
- Christopher Jones, saxophone
- Diane Dahyeon Kim, violin
- Veronica Zupanic, violin
- Marlena Pellegrino, violin, viola
- Chloe Liang, cello
- Nikki Huang, percussion
- Bevis Ng, percussion
Concert Details
The concert takes place at The Gas Works in Hamilton, ON (141 Park Street North).
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