Livewire 16 — newRUCKUS: The American Experiment

The first evening of the Livewire 16 new music festival features the newRUCKUS ensemble in a program entitled The American Experiment , featuring music by Kenji Bunch , Viet Cuong , Ruby Fulton , Brittany J. Green , and Gabriella Smith : Kenji Bunch — Downstream (premiere) Kenji Bunch — Vesper Flight (2021) Viet Cuong — Fine Lines (2019) Ruby Fulton — I’m sorry, not sorry (2016) Brittany J. Green — Shift.Unravel.Break (2022) Gabriella Smith — Anthozoa (2018) Arrive early to enjoy a pre-concert talk by composer Kenji Bunch at 7 p.m.! newRUCKUS is UMBC’s contemporary music ensemble in residence. With a mission to champion new and groundbreaking works, newRUCKUS is dedicated to supporting innovative artists and early-career composers through commissions and collaboration. newRUCKUS engages with students working toward UMBC’s Certificate in American Contemporary Music, often performing alongside these students and mentoring their creative work. Each year, the ensemble co-hosts the Livewire Festival, bringing guest artists and other ensembles from around the world to Baltimore for a weekend of cutting-edge contemporary music. Lisa Cella , flute Juan Sebastián Delgado , cello Dustin Donahue , percussion Liana Harron , piano Philip Mann , conductor Airi Yoshioka , violin newRUCKUS is frequently joined by UMBC Affiliate Artists Natalie Groom , clarinet; Patrick Crossland , trombone; and Nicholas Currie , violin. $15 general admission, $10 seniors, $5 students. Tickets will be available in Fall 2026. Linehan Concert Hall, located in the Performing Arts and Humanities Building, is easy to visit, with plenty of free parking. Please visit here for directions and parking information. This event is supported in part by the Arts+ initiative.