By Adela Skowronski
Nova Linea Musica is returning to Guarneri Hall for its second year, premiering 10 brand new works across eight concerts. The announcement comes on the heels of the group’s sold-out inaugural 2024-25 season, which saw performances by the Dover Quartet, Nois Saxophone Quartet, and the Black Oak Ensemble.
For the 2025-26 season, concerts will still occur at 6:30 pm on Wednesday nights, with tickets that include access to pre-concert lectures and post-concert receptions. This year also features a call for scores, open to Illinois composers of all ages. Three winners will be chosen to participate in the mentorship program; their works will be performed by the NLM Piano Trio in 2026.
Each concert in the NLM 2025-26 series will include at least one world premiere of a commissioned work. This year, audience members can expect to hear premieres from composers including Jennifer Higdon, Clarice Assad, Andrea Casarrubios, and Stacy Garrop.
The season opens on September 10, 2025, with Echoes and Algorithms — music inspired by interactions between humans and technology. Pianist and composer Conrad Tao is the evening’s interpreter, performing his own music in addition to works by Ben Nobuto, John Supko, and Jürg Frey.
Subsequent concerts juxtapose new and established works in solo, duo, and trio configurations. Decorated ensembles are also coming to the concert series, such as Owls and Catalyst Quartet. Chicago’s own Third Coast Percussion performs at the Merit School of Music: the only concert this season taking place outside of Guarneri Hall.
A special program dedicated to the music of Jewish-American composers — on May 6, 2026 — features pianist Jason Wirth, soprano Arianna Zukerman, and mezzo-soprano Heather Johnson.
The conclusion of NLM’s 2025-26 program will occur on June 3, 2026 with The Black Oak Ensemble performing works by Leon First, Hakki Cengiz Eren, and Clarice Assad. Guitarist Mak Grgić and violinist Rabia Brooke will join the group for the final two pieces.
