About ETF ‘25

Ear Taxi Festival, a program of New Music Chicago, was founded in 2016 and is the preeminent contemporary music festival in the midwest. A major occasion for Chicago and its surrounding communities, Ear Taxi Festival ‘25: The Composer’s Voice, is a three-week festival of concerts in both large-scale and intimate formats and professional development events throughout. The New Music Chicago Board of Directors hired an independent team to manage the festival. While giving support and resources, the leadership team has the responsibility to present the festival.
As the largest contemporary music festival in the Midwest, ETF '25 will spotlight Illinois and Chicago’s talented artists, further establishing the city as a key destination for contemporary music. The 2025 festival will offer an unprecedented number of commissions for Illinois-based composers—20 through the Composers Showcase and up to 15 more through the Taxi Performances—making it the largest single commissioning initiative in Illinois history.

When: The curated Ear Taxi Festival will take place from October 3rd to 19th, 2025.

  • Where: Concerts, professional development, and social events will take place at multiple venues across Chicago. 

  • Who: The festival showcases Chicago’s diverse new music community, with a special focus on composers from Illinois. 

  • Why: This festival's third iteration is dedicated to creating new relationships and connections, and showcasing as much new music as possible in 15 days of concerts! 

  • What: ETF comprises five categories of events:

ETF ‘25 Event Categories

  • Curated concerts featuring operatic, orchestral, and other large works.

  • Concerts featuring different chamber ensembles paired with vocal artists premiering new commissions.

  • Ear Taxi Festival will accept proposals from artists and composers to present Taxi performances.

  • Accent Concerts provide inclusion, promotion, and advertising for performances beyond the Anchor, Composer Showcase, and Taxi performances.

  • A mix of panel discussions, presentations, open rehearsals, and networking events to unite the city’s new music community and bolster the careers of Chicago’s artistic workforce.

How you can get involved!

If you are a…

...Composer: Submit a proposal to be considered for a Composer Showcase Commission. Or, put together a concert program and submit your idea to either a Taxi or Accent concert. (Application portal opens July 1st)

...Performer: Put together a proposal for a Taxi Concert, or organize your own concert and apply to be listed as an Accent Concert during the festival. (Application portal opens October 14th)

...Presenter/Educator: Propose a topic you would like to present.

…Music Lover/Avid Listener/New Music Fan/Human Being: Mark your calendar for Fall 2025! Our programming will keep you busy from September to October!