Full Festival Lineup

“Heart’s Dark Waters”

The Bergamot Quartet is a genre-bending string quartet with a passion for bridging the gap between modern composers and the titans that came before them. Working to put new compositions (by women especially) in meaningful dialogue with the histories that precede it, the Bergamot Quartet is truly a proponent for the grassroots of classical music. They will be performing “Heart’s Dark Waters,” a collection of works that span from Fanny Mendelssohn’s E flat Major string quartet to Suzanne Farrin’s brooding Undecim to Jessie Montgomery’s Source Code. The program will also be bookended by short, sparkling works by Caroline Shaw and Bergamot violinist Ledah Finck.

Kirsten Lies-Warfield is an active composer-performer who has presented her work across the U.S. In 1999, she became the first woman trombonist to serve in the United States Army Band, ‘Pershing’s Own.’ Her musical appetites are diverse as evidenced by the company she keeps. She is a member of the contemporary music group Great Noise Ensemble, the Arlington Philharmonic and the ethno-funk band, Black Masala. Her compositions serve to express her unique experiences and to redefine solo trombone literature.

“Breaking and Entering”

Molly Joyce is a composer and performer whose work uses disability as a creative source. With music described as a “serene power” (New York Times), written to “superb effect” (The Wire), and “impassioned” (The Washington Post), she will be performing “Breaking and Entering,” a selection of songs featuring her voice, vintage toy organ, and electronic layering of both sources. A part of her full-length album, the record includes lyrics she has written and sings, and with the music she aims to engage and challenge her impaired left hand physically and artistically, in an act to reimagine disability within the human body.

inscape is a Grammy-nominated Chamber Orchestra pushing the boundaries of classical music. With riveting performances and an impressive roster of musicians, inscape has nothing but brilliance to offer, being called "...aurally stunning" and filled with "...guts and musical sensitivity" by Archivmusic and The Washington Post. INscape continues its longstanding commitment to presenting music of women composers with the Boulanger Initiative WoCo Fest. Their program features works of Hilary Purrington and Alexandra Gardner, amongst others.

Barclay Brass will be performing arrangements of pieces by Hildur Guðnadóttir and Lili Boulanger, as well as a surprise world premiere commissioned for WoCo Fest.

Established in 2015, the Barclay Brass is an ensemble comprised of some of Washington DC’s top brass musicians. Performers of the highest caliber, Barclay Brass members are proud to serve as musicians in the premier military bands in Washington, DC.  From the Pope to the President, these members have performed for some of the highest profile officials and ceremonies.  As highly sought after freelance musicians, some members have performed with groups such as Baltimore Symphony, Boston Symphony, Empire Brass, National Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and many other high profile ensembles throughout the country.  

Join members of Third Coast Percussion, Jlin, and more in their discussion about the creation of their commission and their upcoming performance.