In addition to classical and jazz, the Athenaeum supports new, or modern, music. New music refers to chamber music written by 20th century composers. Since 1996 the Athenaeum has worked with San Diego New Music and their resident ensemble, the NOISE Ensemble, to present new music at the library. For ten years, a season called NOISE at the Library was presented. In 2006, the shift was made to presenting a once-a-year festival of music called soundON. soundON is three days of music, including concerts by the NOISE Ensemble, visits by guest composers, open rehearsals, workshops, and a community concert in which anyone, with any level of experience can participate. It is the only festival of its kind in San Diego.

Logo design by Shelley Crutz

soundON Festival of Modern Music 2011
June 16-18, 2011
Please check back for pricing.

"...the young musicians of the soundON Festival of Modern Music 2010 possess charm and enthusiasm in large measure, as well as a high degree of performance acuity that makes sense of the complexities and puzzles that abound in contemporary musical scores.."
- Kenneth Herman, music critic for sandiego.com, June 18, 2010
Read the full review on sandiego.com

Listen to the radio interview with NOISE, as featured in the KPBS
talk show "These Day" with Angela Carone, June 17, 2009.

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