Music for Contemplation, Inc. (“MufoCo”) invites listeners to light concentration by presenting concerts, organizing workshops and retreats, and commissioning and developing new music.
MufoCo welcomes a broad interpretation of “contemplation”, including classical, jazz, free improvisation, and experimental music styles. Past programs have included thick, dense dissonant textures of Andrew Lafkas, whispy half-heard sounds of the slight brush of a bow on a string, and interlocking melodies of Renaissance composer Orlando di Lasso.
Music for Contemplation, Inc. is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We are able to accept donations of stock and some other securities.
The 2014-2016 seasons took place in the elegant sanctuary of the Church of the Annunciation in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Programs included works by Shelley Burgon, Dan Joseph, the New York Guitar Circle, Deep Listening composers Pauline Oliveros and Stuart Dempster, Wandelweiser composers Antoine Beuger, Kunsu Shim, Eva-Maria Houben, Sam Sfirri and Craig Shepard, and free improvisers Christian Kobi, Sean Meehan, and Mike Bullock.
The 2021 season took place at the Greenpoint Nature Walk.
The first concert at Annunciation was June 30, 2013 as part of Indexical's Transient Series. After the concert, a long time Williamsburg resident, who had heard this music for the first time, asked for a CD to listen at home. It was very clear that there was a real need for this experience. Since that evening, MufoCo has presented eighteen programs, including music of Pauline Oliveros, Stuart Dempster, Alvin Lucier, Andrew Lafkas, Shelley Burgon, Christian Kobi, the New York Guitar Ensemble, and members of the Wandelweiser group.
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"everything sounded more acute, lively and present — qualities enhanced by the keen listening that the music enabled." - Steve Smith, New York Times.
Article by Alex Ross in the New Yorker here.
Board Members: Elizabeth Adams, Andrew Christopher Smith, Dan Joseph, Craig Shepard, and Bob Antia.
Past curator-organizers include Assaf Gidron (2016 season), (2014-2015 seasons), Tyler Wilcox (2014), Kristen McKeon, and Erik Carlson (2014).