Orchestra 2001 is a collective of adventurous, virtuoso performers dedicated to the music of our time. The ensemble strives to be an international leader in connecting diverse audiences with the greatest music of the 20^th and 21^st centuries, engaging new listeners through exhilarating concerts, innovative artistic collaborations, and enriching community partnerships in Philadelphia and beyond.

ENGOMA ENTEERA: Classical Music from Uganda

Justinian Tamusuza, composer

Na'Zir McFadden, conductor

Wednesday, September 13, 2023; 7:30 pm

OPEN REHEARSAL

Cherry Street Pier 

121 N. Columbus Boulvard, Philadelphia 19106

Free admission or pay-as-you-wish!

Thursday, September 14, 2023; 7:30 pm

CONCERT

Calvary Center for Culture and Community

801 South 48th Street, Philadelphia 19143 (48th and Baltimore Avenue, West Philadelphia)

Free admission or pay-as-you-wish!

Abaana Bange for soprano sax, marimba, and electric guitar

Baakisimba Zitujja [Premiere] for prepared harp, marimba, maracas, ankle bells, clapping, and pitched drums 

Mu Kkubo Ery 'Omusaalaba for string orchestra

In 2023/2024, we will be joined by the husband-wife team of composer Justinian Tamusuza and leading African ethnomusicologist, Sylvia Nannyonga-Tamusuza who will share a cross-continental, virtual/live composer residency from Uganda, prior to visiting Philadelphia in June 2024 for concerts including at the Cathedral Basilica.  

Described as “an African Bartók,” Justinian was trained in both Kiganda (Ugandan) folk music and Western classical music, receiving his doctoral degree in composition at Northwestern University. He will compose several new pieces for Orchestra 2001’s musicians, using extended instrumental techniques, microtones, and polyrhythms that marry contemporary classical music and traditional Kiganda folk music. 

ENGOMA ENTEERA has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

¡CONEXIONES! PUERTO RICO

Mark Loria, conductor Martha Guth, soprano FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 7:30pm - 9:00pm Teatro Esperanza 4261 North 5th Street, Phila. 19140

Roberto Sierra – Bongo-O
Angélica Negrón – Tembleque, Quimbombó
Roberto Sierra – Canciones de amor (World Premiere)
Sonia Morales-Matos – Fiesta

This evening of colorful new music from Puerto Rico will include the premiere of composer Roberto Sierra’s Canciones de amor, based on four poems by Julia de Burgos, featuring soprano Martha Guth; and music by composer/multi-instrumentalist Angélica Negrón. 

This concert funded in large part by the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation and Steven R. Gerber Trust. 

EMERGING MARKETS
Major support from:

Launched during the pandemic, EMERGING MARKETS is an ongoing series of informal musical events presented where Philadelphians shop, work, and play. Aimed at breaking down barriers to attendance, Orchestra 2001 tailors performances for markets and businesses in all corners of Philadelphia.  EMERGING MARKETS was honored with a 2022 Arts + Business Council Award alongside programs by Visit Philadelphia and The Barnes Foundation.

RECENT PROGRAMS:

GEORGE CRUMB: Scores at an Exhibition WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023 | 7:30 PM Main Gallery at Slought 4017 Walnut Street, Phila. 19104 Pay-What-You-Can Tickets! $0 – $50

FREE STUDENT EVENT: Thursday, May 18, 2023 | 2:45 PM | Teatro Esperanza, 4261 N. 5th Street, Phila. 19140
Fall 2023 – On exhibition at Cherry Street Pier

GEORGE CRUMB: SCORES AT AN EXHIBITION will explore Philadelphia’s well-known contemporary composer (1929-2022) and long-time Orchestra 2001 collaborator, in a visual arts setting. His stunning visual scores are works of art, and presenting them in a gallery context allows for a more complete appreciation of these masterpieces.

Exhibits of Crumb’s scores will be followed by performances of several of his chamber music works at Slought, Esperanza Arts, and Cherry Street Pier.  Crumb’s brilliant “Metamorphoses, 10 Fantasies for Amplified Piano, Book 2” (2020) will be performed by the musician he wrote it for, Orchestra 2001 pianist Marcantonio Barone, presented with images of the works of art that influenced Crumb’s modern take on “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

Supported by the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia. 

BIRTH OF THE COOL FIRST PERFORMANCE: (SOLD OUT!) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023 | 7:30pm Clef Club of Jazz 736 South Broad Street, Philadelphia 19146 ENCORE PERFORMANCE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023 | 7:30pm Mummers Museum 1100 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia 19147

A history-making jazz ensemble with humble beginnings in a basement apartment below a laundromat on Manhattan’s West 55^th Street... the 12 tunes resulting from that collaboration of jazz and classical giants are a collector’s classic, and forged decades of new directions in concert halls, jazz clubs, and film scores. This performance will feature Orchestra 2001’s jazz players, including eight leading musicians from The Philly Pops.

In The Key of L: Music Along SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line

From left to right: Orchestra 2001 performaces at CHOP Karabots campus (West Philadelphia), the "Love Lot" (Kensington), and 30^th Street Station (University City).

Orchestra 2001 is Ensemble-In-Residence

at Cherry Street Pier

The COMPOSER AT WORK window features Philadelphia-area and visiting composers, and musicians of all ages and genres. Participants work on site and present their music to audiences at Cherry Street Pier and elsewhere in Philadelphia. Funded by generous grants from the Barra Foundation and the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia.

100% individual donations support performances

in all corners of Philadelphia!

Our concerts would not be possible without the support of Individual Donors!

Orchestra 2001 thanks its recent Foundation, Government, and Organizational Contributors and Partners: