Iowa Composers Forum 2026 Festival of New Music to take Heritage Center Stage

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque's Division of Fine and Performing Arts and Northeast Iowa School of Music will present the Iowa Composers Forum 2026 Festival of New Music at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 7, 2026, in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center.

The Iowa Composers Forum Festival of New Music promotes the creation and performance of new music of all styles by composers of all ages. This year's festival will feature performances by ensembles and faculty of the University of Dubuque and the Northeast Iowa School of Music, Julien Chamber Choir, and Tri-State Flute Choir.

The concert will include the world premiere of "Meditation" and "Wondering/Wandering," both composed by Michael Kimber. The festival will also feature performances of music composed by Philip Wharton, Timothy Kramer, Peter Olaf Swanson, Neal Endicott, Vincent Andrews, Stephen Schwartz, Denise E. Knaack, Linda Robbins Coleman, and Craig Nowack for a variety of instruments including organ, cello, piano, flute, viola, orchestra, and choir. The concert will conclude with a performance of "Psalms of Prayer and Praise" composed by Tracey Rush, MM, adjunct professor of music at UD, and performed by the Dubuque Community String Orchestra, with UD String Ensemble and UD Choirs.

Charles Barland, DMA, university organist and professor of music at UD, will perform multiple pieces on the John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ. Members of the UD Concert Band as well as the UD Chamber Singers, UD Concert Choir, and UD String Ensemble will also take the stage.

The Iowa Composers Forum 2026 Festival of New Music is free and open to the public. No ticket is required.