American Composers Orchestra is Playing It UNsafe at Carnegie Hall

American Composers Orchestra’s (ACO) six-month Playing It UNsafe project, the first and only professional research and development lab to support the creation of cutting-edge new American orchestral music through no-holds-barred experimentation, will culminate on Friday, March 4, 2011 with a performance by ACO’s Orchestra Underground led by ACO’s Music Director George Manahan at 7:30pm at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall (57th and 7th Avenue). Five composers were chosen to participate in Playing It UNsafe - Sean Friar, Joan La Barbara, Laura Schwendinger, and Henry Threadgill. The program on March 4 comprises world premieres of four of these composers’ new pieces, which have been incubated and honed for the past six months through a series of workshops, public readings, and feedback sessions with ACO. The program exemplifies ACO’s ongoing mission to commission and perform new music that challenges conventional notions about orchestral music. Tickets are $40 or $50 at www.carnegiehall.org, 212.247.7800, or the Carnegie Hall Box Office (154 West  57th Street)