Contemporary programs emphasize creative and performing arts as components of a liberal arts education.
Orchestras should not think that hiring a dynamic 20- or 30-something conductor can take the place of planning dynamic contemporary programs.
The guitarist and singer Tyondai Braxton, above, and the Wordless Music Orchestra, and the kamancheh (a stringed instrument played with a bow) player Kayhan Kalhor and Brooklyn Rider present other contemporary programs.
Like the state-sponsored Queensland Ballet (1960) and West Australian Ballet (1953), it presents both classical and contemporary programs, though unlike them it tours internationally as well as regionally.
By relying heavily on contemporary programs and concerts of Renaissance and Baroque works, Miller has achieved an 84percentt increase in ticket sales since 2002, and this season's box office receipts have exceeded last season's by $100,000.
This was much in evidence at Merkin Hall when two amateur choruses -- the New Amsterdam Singers last week and Cantori New York on Sunday -- presented largely contemporary programs in their season finales.
