About
TEMPO (The Epicenter Musical Performance Organization), dedicated to the pursuit, performance, and perseverance of contemporary music, was formed in 2008 at California State University, Northridge by Daniel Kessner and Julia Heinen. This ground-breaking ensemble seeks to promote and celebrate the rich diversity of our world through the performance of contemporary musical stories.
In Spring 2019, TEMPO was honored to receive 1st prize at the Doug Davis Performance Grant for their performance of Fred Lerdahl’s “Time After Time.” In addition, Doug Davis has sponsored a commission for a new work by composer David Werfelmann was premiered in February 2023.
The ensemble of flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, piano, and percussion consists of faculty, alumni, and friends, all of whom share a passion for performing works from the 20th and 21st centuries.
In 2024-2025 TEMPO celebrates its 16th season of bringing contemporary music to the world. In addition to programming established contemporary works, it also hosts an annual “Call for Scores,” selecting several works to feature each season.
Performances 2024-2025 COMING SOON!
September 17, 2023 @7:30pm
California State University, Northridge
Cypress Recital Hall
Conductor: Glenn Price
- Eric Heilner – Short Story for violin and piano #1
- Paul Novak – prisms and mirrors
- Tony Wardzinski – Lament
- Sam Wu – Mass Transit
Plus
- Jennifer Higdon – Zaka
- Joan Tower – Petroushskates
February 11th, 2024 @7:30pm
California State University, Northridge
Cypress Recital Hall
Principal Guest Conductor: Michael Powers
- Dan Coleman – Music for a Cold Night
- Kian Ravaei – Unstoppable
- Jason Zhang – Between You and the Surface
Plus More to Come!
Score Submission
TEMPO Ensemble
Score submissions for our 2024-25 season (our 16th) are now open!
TEMPO (The Epicenter Music Performance Organization) promotes and celebrates the rich diversity of our world through the performance of contemporary musical stories. We seek scores for our unique ensemble from composers of all backgrounds, ages and identities for our next season of exciting and engaging concerts.
Our septet, comprised of leading performers in the Los Angeles area, consisting of flutes (all), clarinets (all), violin(s), viola(s), cello, percussion, and piano, and 1st place winner of the 2019 Douglas Davis Performance Competition, invites scores with or without conductor, either for the entire ensemble or smaller groups within our instrumentation.
Works will be selected for our coming 16th season at California State University, Northridge in addition to other venues. Each work selected will receive a recorded public performance for inclusion in the composer‘s portfolio.
Submissions of scores and recordings by June 15th, 2024. Recordings can be either live or recorded performances or synthetic renditions.
Submissions must include a $40 fee for the first score, and $20 for each additional piece. For multiple submissions, please submit separate forms for each work.
Questions should be addressed to Julia Heinen, julia.heinen@csun.edu.
Please submit your works HERE
Contact
TEMPO New Music Ensemble
California State University, Northridge
Department of Music
Attention: Julia Heinen
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8314
(818) 677-3168