Thomas Schuttenhelm

Network for New Music is very pleased to announce that Thomas Schuttenhelm has been appointed the organization’s next Artistic Director. A composer, performer, and author currently residing in Hartford CT, Thomas will relocate to Philadelphia and begin his tenure on June 1, 2018, as Linda Reichert steps down after 33 years as Artistic Director of Network for New Music, which she co-founded in 1984.

Schuttenhelm was chosen from a pool of strong candidates after a nationwide search for new artistic leadership. “Thomas’s stellar knowledge and qualities as a communicator and advocate for contemporary music and culture stood out in particular, and will greatly benefit Network and the communities it serves,” said Network’s board chair, Patricia Manley. Added Reichert, “Thomas’s vision completely aligns with Network’s, and we’re all excited by the ideas and new perspectives he’ll bring to the new music community in Philadelphia.” 

Schuttenhelm said, “I am thrilled and honored to be joining an organization whose commitment to commissioning and performing contemporary music is unmatched. I look forward to continuing the traditions that have earned Network its distinguished position and seek to develop new opportunities for creating and experiencing music in the vibrant arts cultures of Philadelphia.”

Philadelphia Inquirer: Network for New Music appoints Thomas Schuttenhelm its new artistic director by Peter Dobrin

About Thomas

Thomas Schuttenhelm is an American composer and guitarist whose compositions have a strong conceptual component exhibiting an intentional belatedness that gives expression to the post-historical conditions of the 21st century. His music uses embodied programs and celebrates in allusions to the musical, literary, poetic, visual, and theatrical influences that resonate throughout his compositions.

His compositions are commonly the result of collaborations with musicians, poets, actors and artists, and the music he writes is often as much ‘about’ the people he collaborates with as it is for them perform. For over a decade he has been performing with soprano Sarah (Hersh) Armstrong and has given collaborative concerts with poet Rafael Oses. 

Recent performances include collaborations with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra, Chorosynthesis, and Live Wires. In May, the New American Mandolin Ensemble will premiere his work “What The Thunder Said” in London. The Adirondack Youth and Adult Choirs will premiere two new choral works in June. His song-scena “Apollo’s Lament” will receive its premiere in the autumn of 2018 with tenor Justin Vickers. He was chair of the Program Planning Committee and Artistic Director for the Connecticut Guitar Society and later served as Vice-President of the Board of Directors. He also served as the Concerts Coordinator at Quinnipiac University. More recently he was the Artistic Advisor for the Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra. 

More information on Thomas can be found at https://trschuttenhelm.wixsite.com/mysite.