Combined News

The Consort ended last season (its 50th) with “Child’s Play,” inspired by the work of artists on exhibition in the Hirshhorn Museum’s own 50th anniversary exhibition that looked to recapture a child-like view of the world through art and music. This summer, in our second program for kids offered in partnership with the Museum, we’re helping 4th – 6th grade kids find their own creativity and self-expression through art-making and composing music. MYC runs through July 2nd – culminating in a concert performed by 21st Century Consort artists of pieces composed by the Mighty Young Composer participants!

In October 1975, the then-20th Century Consort performed its inaugural concert at in the Lincoln Gallery of what is now the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Now, 50 years on, this coming October 18th, 2025, we’re launching our golden anniversary season with a further exploration of themes from both “Child’s Play” and “Mighty Young Composers,” in a program that puts a half century into an expansive perspective. We’ll begin with contemporary glosses on music from the 13th and 14th centuries, along with one of the last century’s seminal works – George Crumb’s “Ancient Voices of Children” – and a world premiere by composer Juri Seo celebrating the Consort’s anniversary. 

In moves that recall periods in the Consort’s history in residence at the Hirshhorn – back when seasons were virtually sold out at market ticket prices on subscription and recognizing capacity audiences this past season – we’re planning some experiments in the season ahead, including Sunday matinee repeats of Saturday concerts on December 6th and 7th and again later in the season. Stay tuned for further updates as these exciting plans unfold. For now, here are the season’s programs (as always, and especially when presenting brand-new music, programs subject to change!) at which we hope to see you!

• Who’s Counting?

  at 5pm on Saturday October 182025
  with pre-performance discussion at 4pm

  Hirshhorn Museum’s Ring Auditorium

  Sofia Gubaidulina

  Aus dem Visionen de Hildegard von Bingen

  George Crumb

  Ancient Voices of Children

  Guillaume de Machaut

  Rosa, lis

  Francois Andrieu

  Armes amour

  Magister Grimace

  A l’arme, a l’arme

  Juri Seo

  (world premiere)

• In the Spirit

  at 5pm on Saturday December 62025
  with pre-performance discussion at 4pm

  Hirshhorn Museum’s Ring Auditorium

  Charles Wuorinen

  Fifty – Fifty

  Juri Seo

  Winter-Spring, Fall-Winter from Infinite Season

  Eleanor Alberga

  Two Piano Suite

  George Crumb

  Little Suite for Christmas

  Arvo Pärt

  Da Pacem Domine

  John Adams

  Hallelujah Junction

• Pigments of Your Imagination

  at 5pm on Saturday February 212026
  with pre-performance discussion at 4pm

  Hirshhorn Museum’s Ring Auditorium

  Elliott Carter

  Figment I

  Katherine Balch

  Speckled the Green and Blue

  Elliott Carter

  Figment III

  Art Gottschalk

  Loser

  Elliott Carter

  Figment IV

  Eric Moe

  Grand Prismatic

  Elliott Carter

  Figment VI

  Thomas Albert

  Devil’s Handyman

• Wilderness Dreams

  at 5pm on Saturday April 182026
  with pre-performance discussion at 4pm

  Hirshhorn Museum’s Ring Auditorium

  Christopher Theofinidis

  All dreams begin with the horizon

  Nina Shekhar

  Zoo Songs

  Juri Seo

  July Mountain

  Jon Deak

  Greta the Fearless Part II (world premiere)