PREVIEW: Contemporary Takes on Classical Styles with the 2026 American Music Festival
06/03-06/07 @ EMPAC, Troy
“This is the ideal set of events for someone who isn't that knowledgeable about ‘classical music’ to attend because none of this is really traditional classical music.”
The two-time Grammy Award-winning Albany Symphony has announced this year's 2026 American Music Festival, a five-day event filled with the captivating sounds of modern composers. With a lineup consisting of works from more than 30 composers being performed in the beautifully intricate EMPAC theatre located on the RPI campus, as well as venues throughout the city of Troy, a visit to even one of the 5 performance days will be an unforgettable experience.
“This festival offers quite a broad spectrum. If you come to the Wednesday event, you'll hear pieces that span from the 1990s to last year. And if you come on the weekend, you'll hear works that are entirely new out of the box, some of which are world premieres,” says David Alan Miller, music director for the Albany Symphony. “This is the ideal set of events for someone who isn't that knowledgeable about ‘classical music’ to attend because none of this is really traditional classical music.”
Kicking off the festival on June 3, audiences can attend the “Dogs of Desire 'Best Of' Commemorative Concert,” showcasing the talents of the Albany Symphony's new music ensemble through their performance of celebrated works from decades of creation and invention. To get a closer look at the work that goes into the assembly and performances of such pieces, on June 4, attendees can expect a free Dogs of Desire open rehearsal where conductor David Alan Miller and Albany Symphony musicians will perform the festival’s musical pieces live for the audience.
Throughout the festival, composer Viet Cuong’s piece Re(new)al, a green energy and environment-themed concerto for percussion quartet, will be returned to more than once. Re(new)al was created by Cuong in 2017 and is inspired by the power of hydro, wind, and solar energies, or, as Cuong states, “an exploration of reinvention—of finding new energy in unlikely places.” On the night of June 4, a release party will be held for the Albany Symphony and Sandbox Percussion’s new CD performance of Re(new)al. Following this celebration, on Friday, June 5, Dogs of Desire will be performing the original version of Cuong’s work during the Summer Soirée.
To continue the festival, June 6 will be a day packed full of performances, beginning at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall’s MUSIC HUB, which was officially opened on May 19, with the free BHED Recital, an intimate experience with Britt Hewitt among other vocalists. Following this recital will be the American Music Festival’s centerpiece concert, a program which includes a seasoned variety of contemporary works, featuring Clarice Assad’s piece Terra, Concerto for Bassoon & Orchestra, which focuses on the importance of the world which surrounds us and how humanity must protect the natural world.
“Being part of the Albany Symphony’s American Music Festival feels like coming home,” says Assad. “David Alan Miller and this amazing orchestra have a rare gift for making new music feel inevitable, like it was always supposed to exist. The Concerto Terra, for solo bassoon and orchestra, was born from a deep desire to explore the earth itself as a living, breathing entity, and I cannot imagine a more thrilling interpreter than the Albany Symphony and Danny Matsukawa, the player I wrote the piece for, to bring that world to life.”
Sandbox Percussion, an ensemble dedicated to sharing new works by composers in innovative and captivating ways, will also be making an appearance on the program with Drum Circles by Christopher Theofanidis, alongside Albany Symphony. In addition, Sandbox Percussion and Orchestra by Viet Cuong will be performing an exciting world premiere of Concentric Circles, alongside other premiering pieces.
Viet Cuong, Sandbox Percussion, and the Albany Symphony have held a longstanding connection, as Sandbox Percussion states, “We’re thrilled to return to the Albany Symphony for the world premiere of Viet Cuong’s newest work. One of our very first collaborations with Viet was at the Albany Symphony's American Music Festival in 2017, and it’s especially meaningful to continue that creative partnership at this festival that celebrates the voices shaping American music today. Premiering new works is at the heart of Sandbox Percussion’s mission, and we’re honored to collaborate once again with Viet and the Albany Symphony for this exciting festival finale.”
To conclude such an unforgettable lineup of composers and performers, David Alan Miller, composer Christopher Theofanidis, and Albany Symphony musicians will be leading the free First Draughts Reading Session & Beer Tasting at Bush Memorial Hall. This conclusion of the festival will include new works from 11 upcoming composers, performed for the first time. The First Draughts Reading Session & Beer Tasting will be an intimate and special ending to such an amazing celebration of music.
The Albany Symphony offers audiences more than just unmatched musical talent; they offer amazing opportunities for closer connections with the creative process. With events spanning five days, the Albany Symphony has curated an event for every music enthusiast, from an open rehearsal to see how such masterpieces are formed to exciting concerts premiering new music from emerging composers. The American Music Festival is a unique opportunity for everyone to immerse themselves in the beautiful world of contemporary orchestral and instrumental music.
Performance Dates:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3:
Dogs of Desire: “Best Of” Commemorative ConcertEMPAC Theatre | 7:30 PM
THURSDAY, JUNE 4:
Dogs of Desire: Open Rehearsal EMPAC Theatre | 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM (Free)
Re(new)al CD Listening/Release Party EMPAC Theatre | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
FRIDAY, JUNE 5:
Dogs of Desire: Summer Soirée EMPAC Theatre | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Summer Soirée Cocktail Reception and Dinner EMPAC | 5:00 – 10:30 PM
SATURDAY, JUNE 6:
BHED Recital Music Hub, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall | 4:00 PM (Free)
Pre-Concert Talk EMPAC Concert Hall | 6:30 PM
American Music Festival Concert EMPAC Concert Hall | 7:30 PM
Late Night Lounge: Clarice Assad and Friends EMPAC Studio 1 | 9:30 PM
SUNDAY, JUNE 7:
First Draughts Reading Session & Beer Tasting Bush Memorial Hall, Russell Sage College | 3:00 – 5:30 PM (Free)
For more information on performance lineups and tickets visit: https://www.albanysymphony.com/amf2026