“The New Music Festival is about continuing a culture of living music in our community and giving our students a great experience. Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez was chosen this year because his compositional work is highly creative and exciting, and the School of Music faculty anticipate the students will have an excellent experience working with him and performing his music,” said John Ritz, professor in the School of Music and festival organizer.

Faculty from the will also appear and present��the premiere of “Sound Spaces for Cervantes,” a cutting-edge performance of lights, sound and space at the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium. The piece pays tribute to the life and works of Miguel de Cervantes, the pre-eminent Spanish novelist of “Don Quixote,” who died 400 years ago this year. Faculty from Castilla-La Mancha include composers��Julián Ávila��and��José Fayos, trumpeters��Manuel Blanco��and��José García,��cellist��Eduardo González,��percussionist��Miguel Orero��and clarinetist��Raúl Traver.

The University Wind Ensemble, directed by Frederick Speck, will perform the world premiere of Sanchez-Gutierrez’s piece “Ariles.” Other works by Sanchez-Gutierrez, who is professor of composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, will be performed throughout the festival.

Sanchez-Gutierrez was born in Mexico City and has studied at the Peabody Conservatory, Yale and Princeton universities and Tanglewood Music Center. He’s highly decorated in his field with numerous awards, fellowships and residencies at international festivals.

In addition to taking part in nightly concerts, festival guests will��present master classes and lectures throughout the week. See the detailed ��for all events.��Admission is free and open to the public.

Wed., Nov. 9, 8 p.m. – Rauch Planetarium

Thurs., Nov. 10, 8 p.m. – Bird Recital Hall

Fri., Nov. 11, 8 p.m. – Comstock Concert Hall

Sat., Nov. 12, 3 p.m. – Comstock Concert Hall

Sat., Nov. 12, 8 p.m. – Comstock Concert Hall

Sun., Nov. 13, 3 p.m. – Comstock Concert Hall

Sun., Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. – Comstock Concert Hall