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New York, NY — Composers Concordance proudly presents the 14th Annual CompCord Festival, its ever-evolving four-concert series that this year is devoted to the theme of comedy.Taking place throughout the latter half of May, the festival showcases adventurous work by composers and performers bent on exploring humor in sound—from satire and parody to playful experimentation and musical absurdity.
Blurring the lines between concert music and theatrical wit, each event in the festival will present a unique take on comedy through contemporary composition, improvisation, and performance art.
Festival Events
I. Sh*t L*szt
Sunday, May 17 at 5:00 PM
St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery
131 E. 10th St., NYC
A mischievous nod to classical tradition, this concert will take apart the legacy of virtuosity and Romantic excess—messing unapologetically with Franz Liszt—through irreverent twists and startling humor.
II. Stand-up / Get Up
Friday, May 22 at 7:00 PM
Jim Kempner Fine Arts
501 W. 23rd St., NYC
Blending stand-up and contemporary music, this program features four stand-up comedians alongside composers creating new works inspired by their routines.
III. 16th Annual Comp-Play-Comp Marathon – Comedy Theme
Sunday, May 24 at 5:00 PM
Loft393
393 Broadway (2nd Floor), NYC
A signature CompCord event, this marathon will gather more than 20 composers and performers for a fast-moving showcase of newly created works—with comedy at the center.
IV. CompCord Polka Band
Friday, May 29 at 7:00 PM
Loft393
393 Broadway (2nd Floor), NYC
Closing the festival with high-energy flair, the CompCord Polka Band will spin a joyful, tongue-in-cheek celebration of dance and tradition—laced with protest spirit and sly political commentary.
The 2026 CompCord Festival continues its tradition of pushing artistic boundaries while engaging audiences with fresh, imaginative programming. With Comedy as this year’s theme, expect the unexpected: Music that entertains, provokes laughter, and redefines what a concert experience can be.
These concerts will be live-streamed on Composers Concordance's Facebook Page.
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Event Details
What: 14th Annual CompCord Festival: Comedy
When: From May 17th through May 29th
Where: St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery - Jim Kempner Fine Arts - Loft393
2025-2026 SEASON SITE
Composers / Performers / Poets / Comedians:
Aaron Alter, Violet Barnum, Lynn Bechtold, Daniel Blake, Roger Blanc, Natasha Bogojevich, Seth Boustead, Marco Burmester, Peter Carlaftes, Sarah Chandler, Vicky Cheng, Peter Christian Hall, John Clark, Charles Coleman, Dan Cooper, Robert C. Ford, Artie Dibble, Wayne Dumaine, Evan Francis, Daniel Garbin, Kat Georges, Leo Genovese, Zach Gindichiafullo, Patrick Grant, Franz Hackl, Mike Handelman, Jim Kempner, Matt Kempner, Maggie Lalley, Debra Kaye, Clara Latham, Tom Lehrer, Lish Lindsey, Makia Matsumura, Eugene W. McBride, Ginka Mizuki, Audrey Morse, Lucas Nikkanen, Sara Paar, Daniel Palkowski, Cesare Papetti, John Pietaro, Max Pollak, Gene Pritsker, Emiliano Revert, Jay Rozen, David Rozenblatt, Steve Sandberg, William Schimmel, Daniel Schnyder, Lara St. John, Michiyo Suzuki, Laurie Towers, Roger Tréfousse, Marina Vesic, Joseph Martin Waters, David Wolfson, Amy Wurtz, Stefan Zeniuk
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Staying in rotation for 42 years in NYC is a rare feat. In the case of a new music presenting organization, it requires not only diligence and cognizance of achievements of the past but also an ethic of keeping one's ear to the ground for emerging stylistic and technological developments, as well as talented new composers on the scene. Composers Concordance, founded in 1984 by Joseph Pehrson and Patrick Hardish, advised by Otto Luening, strives to present contemporary music in innovative ways, with an emphasis on thematic programming. Directors Gene Pritsker and Dan Cooper co-curate the programs and lead the CompCord Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, String Orchestra, and Big Band. Associate Directors are Milica Paranosic, Peter Jarvis, Debra Kaye, Seth Boustead, and Audrey Morse. Composers Concordance has also created a Naxos-distributed record label: Composers Concordance Records. Composers Concordance's overriding vision is to promote contemporary music, composers, and new works as a rightful and respected part of society. Good music performed and recorded well, pushing the boundaries of sound and composition.
"Composers Concordance..a veritable New York new music institution of concerts, album production and multiple ensembles under a sweeping, tenacious brand, thriving on the emulsion of contemporary classical, free improv, jazz and rock, overt humor and fearless political statements, all very much in evidence..The ensemble..was masterful throughout.”- John Pietaro, The New York City Jazz Record
"An unwavering force in giving composers exposure through concert bookings and its own record label, the intrepid new-music organization Composers Concordance” - The Brooklyn Rail
"The Composers Concordance folks are unpredictable and at times refreshingly irreverent in a reverent sort of way....ingenious fun" - Classical-Modern Music Review
“Enterprising new music organization” - The New York Times
2025-2026 SEASON SITE
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