{"id":120451,"date":"2025-12-19T14:28:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T19:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=120451"},"modified":"2025-12-22T07:00:05","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T12:00:05","slug":"preview-university-toronto-new-music-festival-utnmf-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/12\/19\/preview-university-toronto-new-music-festival-utnmf-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | The University of Toronto New Music Festival (UTNMF) 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Composer
Composer Vivian Fung (Photo courtesy of the artist)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The University of Toronto New Music Festival (UTNMF) is presented each year by the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, and features a roster of Canadian and international performers and guests, along with emerging local talent. Taking place from January 23 to February 2, 2026, the Festival features Guest Composer Vivian Fung, the Roger D. Moore Distinguished Visitor in Composition, who will be conducting masterclasses and a lecture, along with a concert of her music.<\/p>\n

Other guests for the 2026 edition of UTNMF include Christoph Hartmann, principal oboist of the Berlin Philharmonic, the acclaimed vocal ensemble Nordic Voices, the Canadian Art Song Project (CASP), and Sinfonia Toronto, along with performances by leading University of Toronto ensembles the Contemporary Music Ensemble, the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the debut of the minMax orchestra.<\/p>\n

Innovation, tradition, and experimentation come together in a series of performances, masterclasses, lectures, and workshops. Here\u2019s a look at Guest Composer Vivian Fung, and two of the concerts in the Festival.<\/p>\n

Vivian Fung<\/h3>\n

JUNO Award-winning composer Vivian Fung combines varied textures and styles into her large scale works. Many reflect her multicultural background, creating a unique and eclectic sound.<\/p>\n

Recent work includes her song cycle Lamenting Earth, which premiered in 2024 with Nicholas Phan, Jasper String Quartet, and Myra Huang. The environmentally minded work is based in poet Claire Wahmanholm\u2019s prize-winning poem \u201cO\u201d. Her piece Ominous, which was commissioned and premiered by Grossman Ensemble and conductor Jeffrey Meyer in 2024, reflects on her mother\u2019s diagnosis of demential via pitch bends, punctuations, and murmurings. The poetry of San Francisco-based poet Jenny Lim is featured in a new work that premiered in October 2025.<\/p>\n

Her music will be performed across North America in 2025\/26, including Earworms, which opened the season for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and Parade, with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n

\"minMAX
minMAX Electroacoustic Orchestra (Photo courtesy of minMAX Electroacoustic Orchestra)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

minMAX Electroacoustic Orchestra (January 25)<\/h3>\n

The 2026 UTNMF introduces the very first student run minMAX Orchestra, an initiative dedicated to large-scale contemporary performance. The ensemble is founded and led by undergraduate composition students Elienna Wang and Anthony Gunadi.<\/p>\n

The minMAX Electroacoustic Orchestra is a collective of 30 students and alumni of the University of Toronto Faculty of Music. The ensemble was co-founded by Anthony Gunadi and Elienna Wang, and is run by student volunteers and student leadership of the University of Toronto, with the exception of technical personnel.<\/p>\n

The performers include Shawn Bennett: conductor; Anwen Robertson: flute; Jordan Middleton: flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone; Dominik Kosciolek: clarinet, alto saxophone; Fabian Nunez Ramos: clarinet, tenor saxophone; Chantelle Tom-Ying: soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone; Vaughn Hall: alto saxophone; Min Gu Kang: baritone saxophone; Dylan Pilcher: trumpet; Miles Kobayashi: trumpet; Joseph Funk: trumpet; Kenzie Ford: trombone; Jack Shiels: tuba; Zane Shihadeh: piano, synth keyboard; Daniel Zhou: piano; Jingren Sun: piano; Jeanne Tsui: midi keyboard; Bjorn Kriel: percussion, synth keyboard; Thomas Carli: percussion; Jeffrey Zhu: percussion; Jon Bilek: percussion; Will Bentley: percussion; Giuliana Barrow Lattanzio: soprano vocal; Vincent Poon: violin; Mobin Naeini: viola; Tomas Pe\u00f1a: cello; Benjamin Kemppainen: double bass.<\/p>\n

\"L-R:
L-R: Vocalists Helen Becqu\u00e9, Jesse Blumberg,Jonelle Sills, and pianist Steven Philcox (Photo courtesy of the Canadian Art Song Project)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Canadian Art Song Project (January 26)<\/h3>\n

This concert of Canadian art song celebrates women composers from across Canada, featuring performances by Jonelle Sills, Jesse Blumberg, Helen Becqu\u00e9, and Steven Philcox. The program includes Six Haiku and Songs of Childhood by Vivian Fung, Plato\u2019s Angel by Leslie Uyeda, In Search of Eldorado by Larysa Kuzmenko, and The Colour of Joy by Maria Thompson Corley.<\/p>\n

Founded by Lawrence Wiliford and Steven Philcox in 2011, the Canadian Art Song Project is dedicated to commissioning, recording, performing, and promoting Canadian vocal music in the tradition of art song and song cycles.<\/p>\n

Concert & Event Schedule<\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s a quick look at the festival in full:<\/p>\n