Who We Are

Third Angle New Music is dedicated to creating a soundtrack for our time.

We produce adventurous sonic experiences with our own ensemble; we present local, national and international guest artists at a wide range of moments in their careers; we create soundwalks and site-specific sonic experiences to connect Portland listeners with their environment; and we commission new works from composers that range from young students to Pulitzer Prize winners.

Since 1985, Third Angle has created and presented more than 200 events, commissioned more than 90 new works, and released 15 recordings to critical acclaim, and is currently recording Philip Glass’ 1000 Airplanes on the Roof. Sound of the Five: the chamber music of Chen Yi, was named a top 10 recording for 2009 by National Public Radio.

At a Third Angle performance, you never know quite what will happen next.

Third Angle New Music’s mission is to perform, present, and record adventurous contemporary sonic works while commissioning new works from a diverse spectrum of composers.

At Third Angle we believe in:

• empowering self-expression relevance to our community and context

• experimentation

• remaining dynamic and responsive

• instilling a sense of place

• social justice, access & equity within all areas of what we do

• collective experience,

• community,

• authenticity,

• vulnerability,

• collaboration,

• uplifting underrepresented artists and composers,

• paying people equitably,

• treating people with respect and dignity

• sharing resources

• Community Centric Fundraising Practices.

Concert Series: Adventurous, site-specific sonic experiences, this is where we push the boundaries of new music with big productions. 

Studio Series: Intimate shows in a smaller space, this is where the audience and artist journey together into uncharted territory.

Decibel Series: Laid back, Sunday afternoon sets at Decibel Sound & Drink, this is where we give the artist free reign while we grab a cocktail.

Sound Walks: starting during the pandemic out of creative ingenuity and necessity, 3A began commissioning composers to create “Sound Walks”.  These are audio files that are composed for specific locations, encouraging listeners to move through spaces while listening to the audio, allowing them to engage with a site sonically. 

Listening Labs: 3A invites composers to put together playlists of music that has inspired them and to speak about their creative process with small audiences.  Listening Labs are fundraisers for 3A and are hosted by incredible sponsors and supporters in their homes.

Commissioning: 3A believes in funding emerging and established composers to create new works.  Through our Donna Drummond Commission fund, donors help fund culture-making at its finest by supporting 3A in paying composers to create groundbreaking new works. 

WHAT IS ‘NEW MUSIC’?
New music is an extension of the classical music tradition, and it represents the cutting and creative edge of classical music. In addition, new music can incorporate elements of many different musical genres, including classical, jazz, rock, world music and others.  Since its founding in 1985, Third Angle New Music has played outside the lines of the expected with the creation of dynamic musical performances and multi-disciplinary collaborations. Our focus is on music written within the 20th and 21st century and exploring the edges of the New Music genre.

The Third Angle Ensemble:

Unlike traditional groups, The Third Angle Ensemble is modular—we have a deep bench of players affiliated with us, and can program a wider variety of music under the Third Angle umbrella. Because of this flexibility, our musical possibilities are...endless. Third Angle creates an artistic melting pot where you’ll find musicians, composers, visual artists, dancers, authors, poets, and filmmakers, all collaborating together and playing outside the lines. Check out the current season’s artists.

Third Angle Presents:

In addition to the Third Angle Ensemble, we present local, national, and international guest artists at a wide range of moments in their careers, from first time/emerging artists to highly sought after giants.

To provide context and make unfamiliar works and musical languages more accessible and enjoyable for our audiences, we often create multi-disciplinary events linking music with architecture, theatre, dance, visual arts, and the written and spoken word. This also serves to strengthen our arts community by building cross-genre relationships and exposes our patrons to the work of the many other fine arts organizations Portland has to offer. 

Here is just a sampling of the many incredible organizations with whom we’ve collaborated over the years:

Lan Su Chinese Garden / Portland Japanese Garden / Portland Center Stage / Portland Opera / Oregon Symphony / Portland Art Museum / Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre / White Bird / BodyVox / Jefferson Dancers / Architecture Foundation of Oregon  / PICA / New Expressive Works / Oregon Contemporary / Bodecker Foundation

OUTSIDE THE CONCERT HALL. INSIDE THE MUSIC.

Sanctuaries, 2021 / Memorial Coliseum / photography by Intisar Abioto

Third Angle redefines and reimagines performance spaces. You never know where you’ll find us next. From skate bowls, to rooftops our site-specific performances engage our audiences and musicians with their surrounding environments.

Fresh Air Fest, 2021 / Topaz Farms / photography by Sara Wright