LET’S PLAY

A new music ensemble takes root in Milwaukee, WI

Take a step back in time for a moment. Specifically, to 1982 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  

In 1982, Milwaukee Brewers made it to the World Series. Grand Avenue Mall opened its doors. The Shepherd Express printed its first issue. We danced at the first Irish Fest on the lakefront.  

And Kevin Stalheim founded Present Music. 

At the time, there were only a handful of new music groups nationally, none in cities the size of Milwaukee. Contemporary music itself was changing from academic rigors to more free-wheeling ‘isms’ like minimalism, postmodernism, and polystylism. 

In 1982, Kevin Stalheim was in graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His speciality was conducting. And the best way to practice your craft?  Form your own ensemble!  His group, the Milwaukee Music Ensemble, played the basics like Ives, Copland, and Stravinsky. 

In 1989, Kevin realized there was a cultural void in the area: no one was performing NEW MUSIC.  So he began to exclusively perform and commission new works. And changed the ensemble’s name to reflect the new mission. That’s how Present Music came to be. 

Over the years, the Present Music has been a  leader in inclusive programming, identifying major emerging talent, and integrating new technologies, with more than 100 commissions and 17 recordings to date.

OUR
STORY

Our mission is to engage artists and audiences in imaginative and provocative experiences with new music through ensemble performance and education.

And here’s how we do it: 
We specialize in adventurous programming that embraces a wide spectrum of musical voices. Whether performing in concert halls or unconventional spaces, our ensemble delivers performances that are expressive, inclusive, and seriously fun.

The Present Music ensemble is flexible in size—ranging from a core of seven to over twenty musicians—so we can perform everything from intimate chamber works to large, genre-defying productions.

In 2019, Eric Segnitz (violinist) and David Bloom (conductor) took the helm as Co-Artistic Directors, ushering in a new era of “breathtaking and inspired programming” (The Shepherd Express). As of 2024, David Bloom serves as Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor, continuing to bring his dynamic vision and leadership to Present Music’s stage.They follow in the footsteps of founder Kevin Stalheim, who led the organization for 37 transformative years—establishing Present Music as a bold and vital force in contemporary classical music.

OUR
MISSION

We’ve commissioned and premiered more than 100 new works by composers from around the world—many of which are now recorded on major labels.

Notable collaborations include:

  • Pulitzer Prize winners John Adams, David Lang, Caroline Shaw, Du Yun, and Henry Brant

  • Acclaimed composers like Elena Kats-Chernin, Missy Mazzoli, Bright Sheng, and Michael Torke

In 2022, Present Music’s commission of Voiceless Mass by Raven Chacon won the Pulitzer Prize for Music.

COMMISSIONS & RECORDINGS

Present Music proudly represents Milwaukee on stages across the U.S. and the world—touring and performing at major music festivals in Japan, Turkey, China, and New York City. We are a six-time recipient of the ASCAP/Chamber Music America Adventurous Programming Award, an unprecedented honor in the field.

NATIONAL & GLOBAL REACH

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS