Nova Linea Musica

Innovating the Future of Classical Music
Welcome to Nova Linea Musica, the newest addition to Chicago's vibrant music scene. We are dedicated to the creation, presentation, and promotion of new music. In our inaugural concert series, we are commissioning works from leading composers and pairing them with exceptional performers to deliver world premieres that will resonate deeply with you, the listener. Our commitment to new music will continue as we move forward, ensuring that each performance brings fresh and exciting collaborations to the concert hall. These events seek to close the distance between composers, performers, and audiences, fostering relationships beyond the stage.
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More Than Just Concerts
At Nova Linea Musica, our devotion to contemporary music goes further than live performances. Through high-quality audio and video recordings, we ensure that the voices of our composers and performers will continue to inspire, reaching music lovers everywhere. Whether you're attending in person or enjoying the performances from afar, these moments will leave a lasting impression.

The Ideal Setting
Located in the heart of Chicago's Loop, Guarneri Hall provides an intimate 60-seat performance space. This season, Nova Linea Musica's concerts will be held at this exceptional venue, just steps away from public transportation and ample parking. It offers access to an extraordinary musical experience, making it easy for you to be a part of something special.

Join Us
Discover the captivating world of classical music with Nova Linea Musica. You'll experience imaginative works from the mid-20th century onward, performed by award-winning emerging and established artists. Begin your evening with a lively pre-concert conversation, then enjoy a post-performance reception offering gourmet cuisine and fine wine. During the 'Meet and Greet', you'll have the chance to mingle with composers, musicians, and the Nova Linea Musica team, making each event a truly personal and memorable one.

The Visionaries Behind Nova Linea Musica:
- President Michele Mohammadi
- Artistic Director Desirée Ruhstrat (Northwestern University, Lincoln Trio, BlackOak Ensemble)
- Creative Director Mike Grittani
- Audio Engineer Charlie Post
- The Society of Disobedient Listeners Founder/Host Doyle Armbrust
- Treasurer Ramzan Dhanji
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Upcoming Schedule

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January 15, 2025

6:30pm

Chicago, Illinois

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Program

NLM Artists-in-Residence

These talented and soulful artists present new music by composers stemming from Armenia, Belize, Italy, U.K., and Chicago! Spellbinding Violist, Sam Rosenthal will begin this program with works by Errollyn Wallen and a duo with Cellist Alexander Hersh on Paul Wianko's, American Haiku. The NLM Trio in Residence (Rabia Brooke (violin), Sarah Chong (cello), and Lam Wong (piano)) makes their Chicago debut, performing the gem of Arno Babajanyan: Piano Trio in F# minor No. 3. Highlighting this concert will be the Nova Linea Musica commission and World Premiere of Paul Novak's variations with sand in the gears written for Solo Cello for Alexander Hersh.

Featuring: Sam Rosenthal (Viola), Alexander Hersh (Cello) and the NLM Trio in Residence (Rabia Brooke (Violin) Sara Chong (Cello) Lam Wong (Piano))

March 12, 2025

6:30pm

Chicago, Illinois

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Program

Letters from Home

This concert heralds a triple World Premiere! Belize-born British prize-winning composer and Master of the King's Music Errollyn Wallen shares her gifts in the Nova Linea Musica Commission and World Premiere for String Trio written for the Chicago-based trio, the Black Oak Ensemble. Celebrated pianist and composer, Conrad Tao’s A Series of Interdependencies (2016) for violin, viola, and cello commissioned by the Black Oak Ensemble will give the long-awaited World Premiere.

~Nois Quartet will perform an array of works from regions around the world from Vietnam, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Missouri - a myriad of voices or letters from home! Chicago’s talented and beloved Stacy Garrop is arranging Jarba, Mare Jarba for String Trio (Black Oak Ensemble) and Saxophone Quartet (~Nois) in the third World Premiere!

Featuring: ~Nois (Julian Velasco, Jordan Lulloff, and János Csontos) with Charlie Chadwell, alto Saxophone; and Black Oak Ensemble (Desirée Ruhstrat, Aurelien Pederzoli, and David Cunliffe)

June 4, 2025

6:30pm

Chicago, Illinois

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Program

CHICAGO!

Chicago-based Artists and Composers join forces in our season finale! This concert features a Nova Linea Musica commission and World Premiere by Chicago’s own Shawn Okpebholo for Solo Violin written for Rabia Brooke. The Chicago-grown trio In Triplicate (Jasmine Lin, Clancy Newman, and Nate Farrington) brings their compositional prowess to the stage with works developed and arranged by the artists. Concert Pianist Clare Longendyke mesmerizes us with Chicago’s composers in Augusta Read Thomas’ Traces and Shawn Okpebholo's mi-sueno: afro-flamenco at the keyboard.