Multicultural Music Encounters

Commissioned symphonic work honoring the 65th Infantry Regiment (The Borinqueneers), which served with distinction in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. This landmark presentation played an instrumental role in advocating for and leading to the federal recognition of these decorated veterans.

Preserving History Through Music

The Multicultural Music Encounters series is more than concerts; it is a year-long journey of creation and dialogue. We commission BIPOC composers to research and write symphonic works that depict the emotional weight of lesser-known historical events, creating a space for reflection, understanding, and preventing the erasure of diverse narratives. Each performance is preceded by a panel with scholars and journalists, educating and exposing diverse audiences to their own histories. Through music, we preserve these stories and foster a global society.

Watch Our Performances

Small Ensemble Performances

In 2022, in response to the reopening of New York City post-COVID-19, MMG introduced Small Ensemble MME performances. Fueled by new funding to support small establishments and venues that rely on live patronage, MMG served as a conduit to help bring audiences back to public spaces.

MMG integrated these Small Ensemble performances as a standard element of the MME series. This marks a new era for the organization, where the full orchestra is now featured in studio recordings that preserve the monumental orchestral works commissioned in MMG’s earlier years.

Celebrating Emerging Composers

Ray Santos

Composers:

Los Borinqueneers/2009

Eddie Palmieri

Composers:

Tribute to Charlie Palmieri

Johanny Navarro

Composers:

Daño Collateral/2012

Jason Kao Hwang

Composers:

Tiananmen Square/2015

Ray Santos Los Borinqueneers

2009: Ray Santos — Los Borinqueneers

Commissioned symphonic work honoring the 65th Infantry Regiment (The Borinqueneers), which served with distinction in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. This landmark presentation played an instrumental role in advocating for and leading to the federal recognition of these decorated veterans.

Johanny Navarro

2012: Johanny Navarro — Daño Collateral

A profound musical exploration of lesser-known historical conflicts and collateral impact, expanding the dialogue around Caribbean and Latin American historical narratives.

Jason Kao Hwang

2015: Jason Kao Hwang — Tiananmen Square

An emotionally charged, avant-garde symphonic work capturing the historical weight, courage, and memory of the events at Tiananmen Square, preventing the erasure of modern global history.

MME Impact

80+

World Premieres

32

Professional Orchestra