The 1976 brainstorm of composer David Stock, the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble (PNME) was organized and backed by a small group of people committed to creating something new in the arts. The Ensemble, in residence at Duquesne University, has collaborated with such composers as John Cage, Milton Babbitt, Witold Lutoslawski, Joan Tower, John Harbison, William Kraft, and Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, and with performers as diverse as Richard Stoltzman, Stephen Burns, Ivan Monighetti, Vladimir Feltsman, the String Trio of New York, Leroy Jenkins, and Jean-Luc Ponty. Young composers often share the bill with recognized giants, appearing onstage to speak about their music before it is performed. PNME has premiered more than 100 works, many of which were written especially for them. The Ensemble has further supported emerging composers by sponsoring the Harvey Gaul Composition Contest and the Composer’s Forum of Music Lives! The Pittsburgh International Music Festival. The Ensemble tours throughout Pennsylvania and the United States, introducing students of all ages to new music and bringing world-class concerts to enthusiastic audiences at Carnegie Hall as well as at high school auditoriums. Stock and the Ensemble have collaborated with Dance Alloy, the Oratorio Society, the Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Dance Council, and the Pilobolus Dance Theater. They have served as presenters of such exceptional talents as Ornette Coleman and Prime Time, the Kronos Quartet, and HET Trio. The Ensemble is composed of the following musicians: Craig Johnson, flute, alto flute; David Tessmer, flute; Linda George-Fountain, oboe, English horn; James Wilson, clarinet, bass clarinet; Ivan Engel, bassoon; John Scandrett, horn; Wesley Ward, trumpet, flügelhorn; Glenn Wayland, trombone; Beverly Nero, piano, synthesizer; Lucy Scandrett, harp; Jan Fung, percussion, synthesizer; George Willis, percussion; Raymond Eichenmuller, violin; Gail Picha, violin; Florence Ohlberg, viola; Martin Bernstein, cello; Jeffrey Mangone, bass, electric bass. Eva Tumiel-Kozak is the executive director.