Alarm Will Sound

Alarm Will Sound is a contemporary chamber orchestra founded in 2001 and recognized for adventurous, precise performances that push the boundaries of contemporary music. A GRAMMY Award-winning ensemble, it presents concerts, recordings, multimedia projects, and collaborations that bring new and experimental work to audiences. Its repertoire spans orchestral and chamber music, opera, and staged performance, with projects drawing on literature, history, and social themes.

The ensemble’s work includes Paper Pianos, a sonic documentary created by composer Mary Kouyoumdjian and director and writer Nigel Maister, featuring interviews with refugees and resettlement workers. The album was a finalist for the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Music, and artist proceeds support the International Rescue Committee. Other projects include David T. Little’s opera What Belongs to You, adapted from Garth Greenwell’s novel, and The Hunger, a docu-opera by Donnacha Dennehy. Alarm Will Sound also presents performances such as REICH: Staged Variations and develops music education initiatives. Through its events, recordings, and creative partnerships, the ensemble champions bold musical ideas and new work.