For immediate release: January 9, 2020

KINETIC presents “Flight+Fugue” — a special Fifth Anniversary concert, featuring two Houston premieres

Houston, TX – Houston based ensemble, KINETIC presents “Flight+Fugue” on Sunday, January 6, 2020, 6pm at Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston, a special Fifth Anniversary Concert that celebrates the ensemble’s growth and achievements since forming in 2015.

An artist-led ensemble of young professional string players, KINETIC grew out of a student project at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. Led by New Zealand-born violinist, Natalie Lin, who at the time had just begun doctoral studies at Rice, KINETIC’s prototype, named “Project: Conductorless,” explored the possibilities of ensemble-playing without a conductor, combining elements of chamber music and orchestral playing styles that sought a more democratic approach to music-making. After a successful pilot project in late 2014, and encouraged by colleagues and professors from the Shepherd School, “Project: Conductorless” was renamed KINETIC, and presented its inaugural concert in October 2015 in Houston.

Now in its fifth season, KINETIC has increasingly gained recognition for its dynamic, collaboratively driven performances and masterfully curated musical programs. The ensemble has been acclaimed for its “thoughtful, incisive programming” and “visually arresting… brilliantly executed” performances (Arts+Culture Texas), and commended for maturing “in a way that’s rare for young, new ensembles in Houston” (Houstonia).

From its inception, KINETIC found a niche in the Houston music scene, not only by being staunchly artist-led — its musicians self-direct all rehearsals and performances, and take turns curating musical programs — but also by championing under-represented, diverse, and newly composed classical music, with a special focus on string ensemble repertoire. To date, the ensemble has commissioned and premiered over seven new works, including by composers Karim Al-Zand, Daniel Temkin, Tommy Daugherty, Alexandra T. Bryant, and Giancarlo Latta. KINETIC has also partnered with various artistic organizations and institutions, including Musiqa, Aperio, Noblemotion Dance, Moody Center for the Arts, Open Dance Project, Archway Gallery, Flatland Gallery, Houston Methodist Hospital’s Center for Performing Arts Medicine, and more.

“Flight+Fugue” showcases the many musical voices that comprise KINETIC, featuring its musicians in various ensemble configurations, from four instruments to eighteen. The program begins with Benjamin Britten’s Prelude and Fugue for 18 parts, followed by the Houston premiere of Lawrence Dillon’s “String Quartet No. 2, “Flight”. Concluding the program is “Art of Flight”, a work for solo violin, strings, and harpsichord by Ann-Arbor based composer, Patrick Harlin, in its Texas premiere.

 “It is humbling to reflect back on the past five years, and to acknowledge all the projects, collaborations, and musical performances KINETIC has accomplished. It empowers us to continue the work we do in Houston and beyond, in showcasing under-represented, diverse, and newly composed classical music, through collaboratively driven performances.” —Natalie Lin, artistic director of KINETIC.

Tickets for “Flight+Fugue” are available through the MATCH box office.

For more information about KINETIC, please visit www.kineticensemble.org.