NEWS
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New Concerts: “Rencontres Poétiques” with Christina Goh at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, MA, USA on Sepetember 25th + 26th
July 27, 2026
Composers Christina Goh (France) and Mary Bichner (USA) are delighted to announce that Rencontres Poétiques, their collaborative poetry-inspired concert series, will be returning to the stage on September 25th + 26th @ 6:00pm. This latest version of the concert will take place at the historic Mount Auburn Cemetery of Cambridge, MA, USA (where Mary was honored to be composer-in-residence from 2016-2017).
Rencontres Poétiques (“Poetic Encounters” in English) is a poetry-focused international concert series that features musical settings composed by Goh and Bichner for classic poems in both French and English; inspired by the works of Phillis Wheatley, Ovid, Edgar Allan Poe, Benjamin Franklin, Emily Dickinson, and more. This edition of the series will also feature the world premiere of Christina Goh’s “L’ecrin auburn”, a brand new work inspired by Mount Auburn Cemetery and its many treasures.
Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members for this all-ages show, and can be purchased in advance right here:
Thank you so much to Christina Goh and Mount Auburn Cemetery for this wonderful new set of concerts, and can't wait to see everyone soon!
Premiere of "Nossa Senhora" on September 4th at Our Lady of Good Voyage in Gloucester, MA, USA
July 22, 2026
( Photo Credit: Wes Cipolla )
Mary's new carillon work, “Nossa Senhora”, will premiere on Friday Sept 4th @ 6:30pm at Our Lady of Good Voyage in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA; during the church’s yearly carillon concert series. The piece will be performed as a duet by Our Lady’s two resident carillonneurs, LuAnn Pallazola and Cynthia Cafasso Donaldson.
A carillon is a rare instrument in which a series of large tuned bells are played via a keyboard-like console, featuring both wooden levers and pedals. There are only about 170 non-automated carillons in the United States; and the instrument maintained by Our Lady of Good Voyage, known as the country's first "modern" carillon (source), is also one of its oldest (source).
The piece was named “Nossa Senhora” (“Our Lady”) in honor of the Portuguese fishermen that immigrated to Gloucester with their families and built the original church in 1892 (source). Inspired by the long-standing tradition of The Blessed Mother being the protector of seafarers; “Nossa Senhora” is meant to evoke a calm, gentle prayer whispered by devout fishermen in the midst of a tumultuous storm upon the waves.
Using her sound-to-color synesthesia, Mary selected the key of A-flat major to match the vivid hues found in the church's interior and exterior (A-flat - warm vibrant red, C natural - vibrant yellow and/or gold, E-flat - cobalt blue).
The outdoor concert will take place on September 4th @ 6:30pm at Gloucester's Our Lady of Good Voyage Church (142 Prospect St, Gloucester MA USA) and is open to the public. The event is part of a series of free carillon concerts held by Our Lady of Good Voyage every summer; with additional concert dates on Friday August 14th, Friday August 21st, and Friday August 28th @ 6:30pm.
Thanks so much to LuAnn Pallazola, Cynthia Cafasso Donaldson, Father Jim, and Our Lady of Good Voyage for this wonderful collaboration; and looking fowrard to the performance!🔔🎶
Dance Premiere of "White Lilies" by Ballet Taos at the Wurlitzer Summer Arts Fest on July 18th in Taos, NM, USA
June 17, 2026
(Image Credit: Square version of the original artwork "Brunswick Beach" by Heather Divoky. Used with permission.)
Mary is honored to announce that the amazing Ballet Taos will be premiering the live dance version of her ballet composition “White Lilies”, in partnership with The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico, during the Wurlitzer Summer Arts Fest on July 18th 2026 in Taos, New Mexico, USA! The work will be choreographed by BT’s incredible artistic director Megan Yackovich, and Mary will be performing the piano-and-vocal version of the piece live onstage with the dancers.
Best of all, the premiere will be happening as part of the Wurlitzer Summer Arts Fest, a special fundraising event for the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico. The Wurlitzer Foundation is a vital and historic artist-in-residence program that has hosted and supported countless artists of all disciplines since 1954 (Mary included — she was lucky enough to be composer-in-residence there in 2018!). The event will also feature performances from other Wurlitzer alumni, literary readings, film screenings, an art auction, and more. For tickets and more info, please visit:
https://wurlitzerfoundation.org/artfest2026
Thank you so much to Ballet Taos and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation for this wonderful collaboration, and looking forward to seeing everyone in Taos later this summer!☀️
"composer chats" interview with jason nitsch released today
May 19, 2026
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Thanks so much to composer Jason Nitsch for interviewing Mary for his "Composer Chats" podcast! In this hour-long episode, which was released today; Jason and Mary discuss synesthesia, inspiriation, the creative process, and more. You can check it all out right here!:
https://www.composerchats.com/episode/3-15-mary-bichner
Cheers to one and all, and please check back soon for more musical updates! 🎶
mention in cambridge somerville independent
April 9, 2026
Thank you so much to the Cambridge Somerville Independent for this lovely shout-out about Mary's continued musical collaboration with the historic Mount Auburn Cemetery of Cambridge, MA, USA!:
"Some of the works since 2014 that have resonated most powerfully with visitors, Bussmann said, included the concerts of composer Mary Bichner, the second artist-in-residence. 'She performed two sold-out concerts in addition to recording the "Mount Auburn Spring & Autumn Suites" with a 19-piece chamber orchestra,' works that live on online. 'We have invited her back several times to perform – including this coming September.'"
You can read the full article, which announces and celebrates the Cemetery's amazing 2026 artists-in-residence, right here:
Wishing everyone a lovely start to spring, and please check back soon for new project and performance announcements (including a new series of concerts at Mount Auburn Cemetery)!
VIDEO CLIP OF "quick sparrows" PREMIERE; @MARYBICHNERMUSIC ON INSTAGRAM
February 9, 2026
Above is clip from the premiere of Mary's string quartet work "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι", which was performed at the "Eleven Voices: New Music" concert at Hollywood Piano in Pasadena, CA, USA on January 24th. The piece was named one of the eleven winners of the Hollywood Piano Composers' Chamber Music Concert Contest.
"quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" is the second movement of "EFTA Suite", a string quartet work commissioned by luxury boutique hotel The Vasilicos of Santorini, Greece; as part of its “[To Build] A [Temporary] Home” ad hoc artist residency program. The piece is a sprightly allegro vivace which illustrates a pair of small birds inquisitively hopping around the patio table of a colorful, fruit-laden breakfast. "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" was composed in Eb-major (vibrant blue, vibrant green, and vibrant orange in Mary's synesthesia color palette) to match the iconic blue found in The Vasilicos’ signature Burleigh Blue Calico breakfast plates. (More info on "EFTA Suite" can be found right here.)
Thanks so much to Xenia Deviatkina Loh (violin I), Mona Tian (violin II), Emma Antonides (viola), and Christopher Healy (cello) for their beautiful performance of the piece! Heartfelt thanks also to Hollywood Piano for selecting the work for the concert, and to The Vasilicos for the wonderful collaboration that made the creation of "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" possible.
And in another fun piece of news -- Mary is back on Instagram under the handle @marybichnermusic! If you'd like, you can follow her real-time musical adventures right here:
www.instagram.com/marybichnermusic
Thanks again to one and all, and please check back soon for Mary's 2026 concert and project announcements!
"quick sparrows" TO PREMIERE DURING eleven voices new music concert on january 24th in pasAdena, ca, usa
January 2, 2026
( Image: Banner for the Eleven Voices New Music Concert, sponsored by Hollywood Piano )
Happy New Year, one and all! Mary is delighted to announce that her 2025 string quartet work, "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι", will premiere as part of the Eleven Voices New Music Concert on January 24th at Hollywood Piano in Pasadena, California, USA. The piece was named one of the eleven winners of the Hollywood Piano Composers' Chamber Music Concert Contest, all of which will be performed at the concert.
Tickets to the event are free, and can be reserved in advance right here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eleven-voices-new-music-concert-tickets-1979546505887
"quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" is the second movement of "EFTA Suite", a new string quartet work commissioned by beautiful luxury boutique hotel The Vasilicos of Santorini, Greece; as part of its “[To Build] A [Temporary] Home” ad hoc artist residency program. Deriving its name from Efta, one of the hotel's most intimate and romantic suites, “EFTA Suite” captures a series of beautiful moments — a brilliant kaleidoscopic sunset, and a sumptuous outdoor meal unexpectedly accompanied by a pair of cheeky sparrows — as experienced by the composer from the cliff-hanging Efta terrace during her May 2024 composer residency at The Vasilicos.
The piece is a sprightly allegro vivace which illustrates a pair of small birds inquisitively hopping around the patio table of a colorful, fruit-laden breakfast. "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" was composed in Eb-major (vibrant blue, vibrant green, and vibrant orange in Mary's synesthesia color palette) to match the iconic blue found in The Vasilicos’ signature Burleigh Blue Calico breakfast plates.
Thank you so much to Hollywood Piano for selecting "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" for its Composers' Chamber Music Concert Contest, congratulations to all of the winners, and looking forward to the premiere!
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