Center for 21st Century Music

Excerpt from Karlheinz Stockhausen’s “Momente” featuring experimental musical notation, symbols and German performance instructions.

Karlheinz Stockhausen, Momente

Current Season

June in Buffalo

Artistic Research

Contact Us

Where new music takes shape

For more than fifty years, the University at Buffalo Department of Music has been a leader in contemporary composition and performance. Today, the Center brings together composers, performers and scholars to create, perform and explore new music through performances, artistic research and creative collaboration.

What happens here

  • Artistic Research
    8/26/26
    The Center supports artistic research through the PhD in Composition and the DMA in Contemporary Music Performance. Students and faculty explore contemporary composition, performance practice, music technology and critical theory through seminars, research circles and interdisciplinary collaborations.
  • Slee Sinfonietta
    8/26/26
    UB's resident contemporary music ensemble, bringing together UB faculty, visiting artists and members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra to perform groundbreaking works by established and emerging composers.
  • June in Buffalo
    8/26/26
    An internationally recognized festival where emerging composers work alongside leading artists through performances, masterclasses and workshops.

Upcoming Events

  • Current Season
    8/26/26
    This season features performances, collaborations and explorations in contemporary music across UB and the community.

June in Buffalo 2027 be held at the University at Buffalo from Sunday, May 30–Saturday, June 5, 2027.

See the Center in action

Get a glimpse of the performances, collaborations and creative work that define the Center for 21st Century Music. These short highlight reels capture the energy of concerts, festivals and artistic events throughout the year.

Johannes Ocheghem, Missa Prolationum (excerpt), UB Chamber Choir

Ming Tsao, Das wassergewordene Kanonbuch, Neue Vocalsolisten

Chaya Czernowin, Immaterial (excerpt), Neue Vocalsolisten

Francisco Corthey, Liquen (excerpt), Talea Ensemble

Iannis Xenakis, Akea (excerpt), Jack Quartet and Eric Huebner

Morton Feldman, Durations 5 (excerpt), Slee Sinfonietta

Watch past performances

Missed a performance or want to experience it again? Watch concerts, lectures and artist talks from the Center for 21st Century Music on our YouTube channel.