Kate Vincent, Founding Director

Firebird Ensemble, directed by violist Kate Vincent, has been described as "ambitious and eclectic" by The New York Times and is fast gaining a reputation as being one of the premier new music ensembles in the United States. Known for its highly varied contemporary repertoire, virtuosic performances, and wide audience appeal, Firebird Ensemble's repertoire spans a time period from the mid 1900s to the present day and includes music originating from diverse sources and genres. Firebird Ensemble has embarked on projects featuring interdisciplinary collaborations, microtonal music, contemporary/rock crossover, improvisation, and also performances presenting the cornerstones of contemporary music literature. Firebird Ensemble's contribution to contemporary music has been recognized with support from notable organizations such as the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Aaron Copland Foundation, Argosy Foundation, Jebediah Fund and the St. Botolph Foundation.

Since its inception in 2001, Firebird Ensemble has commissioned and premiered a wide array of compositions including works by Luciano Berio, Lisa Bielawa, John Eaton, Curtis Hughes, Derek Hurst, Lee Hyla, John McDonald, Joseph Maneri, John Mallia, Donald Martino, Gerard Pape, Karl-Heinz Stockhausen, and Rolf Wallin. In March 2008, as part of the MATA Festival in New York, Firebird Ensemble soloed with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project in a Fromm Foundation commission by Derek Hurst. Currently, Firebird Ensemble is undertaking two CD recording projects featuring the music of Lee Hyla and Curtis Hughes in addition to commissions from Donald Crockett, Jonathan Holland, Eric Moe, and Nicholas Vines. In 2010, Firebird Ensemble will perform the world premiere of Donald Crockett's chamber opera, The Face, with libretto by David St. John.

In addition to its concert activities, Firebird Ensemble has undertaken educational residencies at several prominent institutions in the North East including the New England Conservatory and has upcoming residencies at Tufts University, Amherst College, and Fitchburg State College. Firebird Ensemble is also active in providing concerts for under-served school aged audiences with annual performances of The Passion of Scrooge by Jon Deak featuring the acclaimed baritone, Aaron Engebreth.

"In the free-spirited Firebird Ensemble, Boston has its equivalent to such prominent, genre busting new-music ensembles as Eighth Blackbird or Alarm Will Sound"..."they have the chops, the energy, the style". - The Boston Globe

Performances

The Brooklyn Lyceum | April 1, 2008
Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory | March 29, 2008

News and Press

[Concert Review] Five things about BMOP @ MATA

I caught the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP) at the MATA Festival Tuesday night in Brooklyn.

1. Gil Rose and BMOP played a varied concert with conviction and panache Tuesday night. While there were wonderful soloists on the program, the ensemble really held the spotlight the entire night in the best possible sense - always blending well and making the most of lines, accompaniment and ensemble.

Sequenza21 Full review
[Concert Review] Bielawa, BMOP: performance provocateurs

On Saturday night the New England Conservatory’s teal and gilt Jordan Hall enjoyed the premiere of no fewer than four new works by living, breathing composers and performed by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, which parties where symphony orchestras fear to tread. Bucking both contemporary and traditional expectations, provoking appreciation and conversation, this was a night of risks that paid off handsomely.

The Boston Herald Full review
[Press Release] BMOP celebrates musical collaborations in its Double Entendre concert

The Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), the nation's leading orchestra dedicated exclusively to performing, commissioning, and recording new music of the 21st century, honors some of its long-standing cherished collaborations in a special Double Entendre concert at Jordan Hall (30 Gainsborough Street), Saturday, March 29th @ 8:00pm.

Full review
[Press Release] BMOP 07|08

BMOP's 11th season features Gil Rose's innovative programming, pairing 20th-century mavericks with today's foremost composers and performers.

World Premieres
Lisa Bielawa, Composer in Residence
Martin Boykan
Michael Colgrass
Derek Hurst
David Rakowski
Alejandro Rutty
Ezra Sims
Ken Ueno

Featured Guests
Firebird Ensemble
Colin Jacobsen
Kim Kashkashian
Carla Kihlstedt
Joanne Kong
Marilyn Nonken

Club Concerts
BMOP returns to downtown Boston, featuring new works by Lisa Bielawa composed in residence for solo artists.

Full review