The Empyrean Ensemble is a professional new music ensemble in
residence with the music department. Although it’s not offered
as a class for undergraduates, it does collaborate with student
musicians, usually in winter quarter. For more information
please contact the ensemble’s director, Sam
Nichols.
The Empyrean Ensemble presents engaging, thought-provoking,
eclectic programs, enabling audiences to experience new musical
sensations delivered with high artistry by its seven
extraordinary core players—the finest new music performers in
California. Ensemble-in-residence at UC Davis, Empyrean has
premiered approximately 200 works and performed throughout
California, including appearances at many prominent music
festivals and concert series.
This season the Empyrean Ensemble welcomes guest musicians:
Kyle Bruckmann, oboe
Jennifer Ellis, harp
We’re grateful to the Music Department staff for all they do to
help the ensemble:
Christina Acosta, editor
Stephen Bingen, audio engineer
Nick Carvajal, librarian
Phil Daley, events and publicity manager
Leah Daugherty, business assistant
Rudy Garibay, senior graphic designer
Josh Paterson, events and production manager
Caitlin Sapunor-Davis, stage manager
And we’d like to also acknowledge the invaluable help of our
graduate student assistant, composer Emily Joy Sullivan.
Matilda Hofman, whose conducting has been described as having “a
striking sense of purpose” and “taut and finely controlled”
(San Francisco Gate), has a busy and varied performance
schedule. She works regularly with a wide range of groups in
Europe, and in California, which she has made her home. Matilda
has performed at the Salzburg Festival, Berliner Festspiele,
Holland Festival, and Ruhrtriennale among others.
