CalArts Ensemble

The CalArts Sila ensemble is an outgrowth of the New Century Players: the faculty, student, and alumni ensemble in residence at CalArts for over 25 years. In various configurations, the group has played at Japan America Theater, Zipper Hall, REDCAT, the Kennedy Center, and at the Dartington Center for the Arts, England. Individual members have performed nationally and internationally as founding members of ensembles Partch (2015 Grammy winner of Best Classical Compendium for Plectra and Percussion Dances), Vir2ual Cage, Formalist Quartet, Southland Ensemble, Isaura String Quartet, and [LIMINAR]. Members also perform regularly with Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, wild Up, Southwest Chamber Music, The Industry, Knoxville Symphony, Sarasota Opera, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Blackearth Percussion Group, XTET, the Lian Ensemble, Kim Richmond Jazz Orchestra, and the LA Philharmonic. Some of the most recent performances by members include U.S. premiere of Stockhausen’s Kathinka’s Gesang, LA Opera productions Ghosts of Versailles and !Figaro 90210!, world premiere of Gloria Coates’ opera Stolen Identity, and tour of Pulitzer Award-nominated composition Ten Freedom Summers by Wadada Leo Smith. This great variety of achievements is a direct product of the variety encouraged at the Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts. “A great school,” writes dean David Rosenboom in his welcome letter to new students, “is one of ever-open musical possibilities. It is a fertile environment for the evolution of musicmaking as well as for the teaching and learning of music.”