Fuse Ensemble is a concept-based electroacoustic chamber ensemble that joyfully collaborates with sculptors, poets, filmmakers and all manner of analog and digital artists. Now in their eighteenth year together, Fuse Ensemble presents Speech and Silence, a set that brings to the fore two ways of listening. In an alternating series of live music works (many with spoken word) and the reflective short films created for the season by artist Edgar Endress, Fuse gathers in these two realms and explore the deep possibilities that lie within, and outside of, the auditory sphere. The concert includes works by Nicole Mitchell, Brittany J. Green, Gina Biver, and of course, the inimitable Pamela Z, who will join the ensemble for a rare performance of her Ways of Looking.

Pamela Z vocals and electronics
Yana Nikol flute
Angela Murakami clarinet
JC Kuhl bass clarinet
Greg Hiser violin
Nancy Jo Snider cello
Francesca Hurst piano
Michael Kuhl percussion
Gina Biver vocals, electronics

Presented by Fuse Ensemble in partnership with Roulette

Pamela Z’s performances combine live electronic processing and sampled sound to create a spectacular multi-medium event. A pioneer of live digital looping techniques – Pamela Z processes her voice in real time to create dense, complex sonic layers. In her practice, she uses MAX MSP and Isadora software on a MacBook Pro along with custom MIDI controllers that allow her to manipulate sound with physical gestures. Her live works combine experimental extended vocal techniques, operatic bel canto, found objects, text, and sampled concrète sounds.

Fuse Ensemble is a concept-based electroacoustic chamber ensemble. Each season a concept is presented, giving voice to new music composers and creating musical happenings with visual elements of live or interactive video, electronics, or kinetic installations. They joyfully collaborate with sculptors, visual artists, instrument makers, poets, and all manner of analog and digital artists.

Champions of new music since they began in 2008, Fuse Ensemble has performed or premiered works by many living composers, and has premiered numerous original films by Chilean Artist Edgar Endress, Also Sisters and Michael Edwards, live interactive videos by Adam Kendall; kinetic installations by sculptors Howard Connelly, Norbert Attard, Jeremy Thomas Kunkel and Workingman Collective. Fuse Ensemble aims to expose audiences to a wide range of artistic perspectives and insights while encouraging the growth of a more vibrant, just and inclusive new music community.

Fuse Ensemble are Virginia Commission for the Arts Touring Artists, and have performed at concerts, new music series and festivals including Georgetown University’s Friday Music Series, American University’s Katzen Arts Center, Atlas Performing Arts Center and John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, and shows in Indianapolis, Philadelphia and New York  Abrams Arts Center, Firehouse Space, New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival (NYCEMF), CrossCurrents New Music Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Sonic Circuits DC Festival, UMBC’s LiveWire New Music Festival, Atlas PAC Intersections Festival in DC, and IUPUI Indiana University’s Intermedia Festival and more.