Zachary's Big Ideas

Zachary Detrick is an eleven-year-old with some really big ideas. His "Fanfare from Symphony No. 7" premiered at Kaufman Center in New York City when he was only four (arranged for trumpet ensemble and chimes by his father). Since then, he taught himself music notation software and began composing prodigiously on the computer. He won the citywide Music Memory Competition in 2009, studies piano with Andrea Hough, and plans to attend the Special Music School, PS 859, in the fall.

For two years, Zachary has also participated in Youth Works, our after-school program at Public School 11 in Manhattan. Through this program, he had the opportunity to work with Metropolis composer fellows Ryan Francis, Cristina Spinei, and Ray Lustig. Now Zachary is collaborating with our newest fellow, Brad Balliett, and they've become quite the pair:

"Zachary and I have been working together for about two months now, and I'm constantly surprised by his imagination and facility. We discovered that we had a lot in common. For one, a love of Stockhausen, which is so rare that I often find our lessons veering off into conversations about Samstag or Tierkreis. There aren't many with whom I can discuss these great pieces!

Brad is part of The Academy (or Ensemble ACJW), a unique fellowship program at Carnegie Hall that works in NYC schools and performs around the city. As head of the programming committee, Brad suggested young Zachary's work as an example of a new generation of composers.

As a result, Ensemble ACJW will present a special live performance on April 26 (7pm) at the Upper West Side Apple Store (Broadway at West 68th Street), part of the store's ongoing artistic partnership with Juilliard. The performance will feature the world premiere of Zachary's "Five Duets for Flute and Bassoon" (with flautist Julietta Curenton and bassoonist Brad Balliett) alongside some stalwarts of the classical world, including Stravinsky, Ligeti, Wolf, and Shoenfeld. RSVP here...

"Five Duets for Flute and Bassoon" gives a nod to Bartok and Stravinsky and tackles some compositional problems posed by Zachary's teacher, Daniel Ott, with some compelling results. For example, in the first piece, the flute plays only "white key notes" and the bassoon only the "black key notes" leading to a surprising sound. Other contrasts - such as staccato (short) and legato (smooth) playing - and clever solutions - including a scale of Zachary's own devising - abound in each duet.

Here's a short excerpt from the fourth duet:


But it doesn't stop there. Elementary students at Zachary's school, PS 11, will be in for a treat on June 8 when Metropolis Ensemble presents the annual end-of-year Youth Works concert that showcases students' work in collaboration with Brad. One of those pieces will be a new work from Zachary inspired by Alice in Wonderland, specifically the Mad Tea-Party scene.

Originally, Zachary was working on a full opera of the famous Lewis Carroll story, but he's put that project on hold to focus on the Metropolis project. Brad and Zachary are meeting regularly to prepare the final piece for the concert: "Each week I visit, he's added a new and delightfully unique piece of the total picture," says Brad. "I, for one, can't wait to hear the final product when we perform it at his school."

As Brad can attest, we are looking forward to more of Zachary's big ideas: "I'm proud to be among the first to present music by our next emerging American composer!"

Introducing "Take a Seat"

When you arrive at the Home Stretch concert on May 20, you will be handed your chair and given the opportunity to sit anywhere in the Angel Orensanz Center you like! Why not try a different location after intermission?

Looking for a truly unique perspective? Buy one of our VIP tickets and take a seat on the stage, watch the concert from the balcony, or reserve a table for four with a complimentary bottle of wine. Become a member of Metropolis Ensemble and enjoy discounts on all VIP tickets!

Buy tickets now...

Become a member today...

Listen Live to Avner Dorman

Tune into KUSC Los Angeles on Friday, February 19 (9pm PST / 12 midnight EST) to hear an exclusive interview with Metropolis composer Avner Dorman and our new album Concertos. KUSC's Jim Sjevda will interview Avner on his popular program The Record Shelf.

You can listen online or locally at KUSC-FM 91.5.

Celebrating Music with Heart

This was a Valentine's Day we won't soon forget. In a sold-out benefit concert at (le) Poisson Rouge and with twenty-six love-infused works, we raised a grand total of $6,630 to support our friends at Partners in Health. PIH provides world-class health care to the people of Haiti, and are leading the way in the recovery efforts after last month's earthquake.

We responded with Love Letter to Haiti, nearly three hours of music, featuring two dozen musicians and soloists, all of whom donated their time. Why host a concert? Artistic Director / Conductor Andrew Cyr explained in a recent interview:

"My wife and I were talking after the earthquake struck and when the horrific human tragedy started sinking in, we felt both incredibly moved and helpless. We're not doctors, we can't fly a plane, we can't write a big check... what could we do? The answer was really simple: just try and see what happens... It's been so much fun to put this together!"

And what an evening it was! The concert featured works from Metropolis composers Ryan Francis and Adam Schoenberg. Our friend David Bruce prepared a new arrangement of a Tallis motet especially for the night. We sold beautiful illustrated t-shirts by artist Jennifer Salomon, so patrons could literally wear their heart on their sleeve (all proceeds going to PIH). We also sold and donated our new album, Avner Dorman's Concertos. (le) Poisson Rouge donated the space; InTicketing generously waived their ticket fees; and many patrons opened their wallets to make donations to Partners in Health. Thank you for supporting us in so many ways!

We were honored to have special guest Klaus Gauthier from Port au Prince fly into New York to attend the concert; he himself was trapped during the quake, and has worked since to help find missing persons and organize tent drop-offs in Haiti.

As it turned out, Allan Kozinn from the New York Times was also on hand to enjoy the concert, and wrote our first NYT review:

"All told, 26 works of various lengths were performed, most contemporary and eclectic, with standard repertory pieces cropping up on occasion. Some of those were among the evening's highlights. A short set by the Avenue 9 Trio and its members included a sweetly singing account of Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise" by the group's cellist, Dane Johansen, and a breathtakingly beautiful reading of Debussy's "Clair de Lune" by its violinist, Sean Lee, both accompanied by Edvinas Minkstimas the ensemble's pianist. Mr. Lee returned later to play Massenet's "Meditation" from "Thaïs" with the harpist Bridget Kibbey." Read the full article...

It truly was a special evening. Thanks to everyone who made the concert possible. We witnessed the very best that our community of composers, performers, and patrons can be: giving of your time, talent, and treasure to support the people of Haiti in the most vital way possible... rallying around Partners in Health and their inspiring work... and celebrating a kaleidoscope of music that connects us all together.

Photos by Gareth Paul Cox.

The Best of 2009

Here are a few highlights from our concerts in 2009, edited and produced by Gareth Paul Cox. Groanbox on January 28, 2009, featuring the works of David Bruce, Michael Ward-Bergeman, and John Adams. Glimpses on May 6, 2009, featuring the works of Vivian Fung, Jakub Ciupinski, and Cristina Spinei. New Music 101 on September 16, 2009, featuring the interactive works of Jakub Ciupinski. Reverb on November 19-20, 2009, featuring the works of Jakub Ciupinski, Vivian Fung, Erin Gee, and Cristina Spinei.

Looking for more of our best videos from the past four years? Check out this exclusive collection and our complete video archives.

Four Years in Review

With the start of the new year, we want to pause a moment to reflect on the four years since Metropolis Ensemble's founding, and many of the amazing opportunities that have come our way.

Since 2006, Metropolis Ensemble...

• commissioned 24 world premieres and 5 U.S. premieres


• performed to capacity crowds in partnership with Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Celebrate Brooklyn, Le Poisson Rouge, Wordless Music Series, Smithsonian Magazine, Angel Orensanz Center, Americas Society, Chelsea Art Museum, Scandinavia House, and The Times Center


• introduced a new version of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring in front of an audience of 10,000 in Prospect Park


• featured in broadcasts by WNYC and National Public Radio


• recorded its first studio album featuring composer Avner Dorman, produced by Grammy-winner David Frost, and released on NAXOS American Classics


• taught music composition and creativity to hundreds of elementary school students through our Youth Works program at P.S. 11 in Manhattan


• nurtured four young composers through our Wet Ink Emerging Composers program


• collaborated with leading artists, including monologist Mike Daisey, producer David Frost, indie-rock sensation Deerhoof, accordionist Michael Ward-Bergeman, international roots-trio Groanbox, vocal stars Hila Plitmann and Kiera Duffy, jazz saxophonist Marty Erhlich, and mandolinist Avi Avital

We've had the privilege of working with several world-renowned composers over the past four years, including John Adams, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and David Schiff. It's also worth noting the incredible musicians who have appeared with Metropolis Ensemble thus far. Our roster - both past and present - now occupy leadership roles in orchestras around the world, including Montreal Symphony (concert master), Philadelphia Orchestra (first violin), Cleveland Orchestra (associate concertmaster), and St. Louis Symphony (principal viola). We are honored to share the stage with such bright young performers and composers!

Accolades and statistics aside, the true heart of Metropolis Ensemble lies in each of you: our fans, friends, patrons, volunteers, and music lovers who continue to encourage us with each new concert. Thank you for supporting our mission to breathe life into classical music and inspiring us to reach new heights in the years to come.