In 2008 the Alice M. Ditson Fund at Columbia University generously instituted a biennial festival supporting emerging composers of classical contemporary music.

Spearheaded by Ditson Advisory Committee member and University of Chicago Professor Augusta Read Thomas, the Ear Taxi Festival - October 5-10, 2016 - is a celebration of Chicago’s thriving contemporary music scene with concerts, lectures, marathons, webcasts and artist receptions featuring New Music Chicago and  New Music USA.  Co-curated by Augusta Read Thomas and conductor Stephen Burns and a curatorial committee of Chicago’s leadingartists and intellectuals the festival is a joy-ride through Chicago’s new music scene.  From Mana Contemporary and the University of Chicago on the south-side to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance and The Chicago Cultural Center in the loop, to Constellation on the north-side, the whole city will be humming with the sounds of creativity and innovation.  

All artists are paid the same guaranteed minimum fee for doing the same amount of work. In addition, after the Festival, all proceeds will be paid to the artists.