Context and History

Music curation and presentation at the Western Front has developed in the context of the organization’s history of fluxus methodologies. Interests in conceptual art, chance operations, indeterminacy, improvisation and unconventional modes of presentation follow these considerations. The Western Front supports the evolution of contemporary music practice, which blurs the boundaries of musical genres from classical to popular music, and embraces approaches to musicianship involving new literacies with technology.

Over thirty years, Western Front New Music has garnered an international reputation for experimental music. Many innovators and inventors have graced the stage of our intimate concert hall, including: Ellen Fullman, Robin Holcomb, François Houle, Steve Lacey, Jean François Laporte, Marylin Lerner, George Lewis, Gordon Monahan, The Nihilist Spasm Band, John Oswald, Evan Parker, Shubhendra Rao, Hildegard Westerkamp, and Ben Wilson

Programming

Western Front New Music promotes contemporary music through its curated program of concerts, residencies, commissions, recordings, touring projects, outreach presentations and critical commentary.

Programming reflects a broad spectrum of practices, including:

In addition to its curated program, Western Front New Music engages in co-productions with organizations such as Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, the New Orchestra Workshop Society, New Forms Festival, LIVE Biennial of Performance Art, PuSH International Performing Arts Festival, and Vancouver Community Gamelan.