FIRE AND FLOW: An Exclusive Interview with Composer Alex Stephenson
May 6, 2026 | Good Shepherd-Faith Presbyterian Church, New York, NY
Composer Alex Stephenson.
New York, NY—The New Conductors Orchestra interviews composer Alex Stephenson, whose score, An Elemental Music, will be performed at “FIRE AND FLOW,” their latest concert series on May 16 and 17, 2026. Stephenson’s music has been described as “masterfully orchestrated” and exhibiting “sonic beauty” by the San Diego Union-Tribune. He currently teaches at Illinois State University as an Associate Professor of Music Theory and Composition.
Tell us more about your piece "An Elemental Music." What exactly do you consider "elemental" in music, and how do you approach reimagining these fundamental elements?
Stephenson:An Elemental Music is all about exploring musical ideas that, for me, are in some way basic, fundamental, or “elemental.” I love the way you’ve asked this question because identifying the “building blocks” of music can vary so widely between cultures and people. When I think about “elemental” objects in music, my mind sometimes goes to chords—so, for example, the first movement of my piece opens with a dominant seventh chord. This chord has been used a million times before, not only in Western classical music, but also in blues, jazz, and rock progressions. But rather than dismissing it as a tired, well-worn object, I wanted to see if I could find freshness and new life in it—what happens, for instance, if you turn the chord upside down? What are some different musical scales that contain that chord, and how could those scales open up new directions in the music? These aren’t complicated questions, but for me, they are ones that can really get the creative energies flowing. I was having a lot of fun as I wrote this piece… I hope you can hear it in the music!
Where does your inspiration usually come from?
Stephenson: For me, inspiration tends to vary from project to project. With some pieces, an initial seed of inspiration might come from a simple musical idea, as was the case with An Elemental Music. But with others, I might draw inspiration from work in some other field—for example, the visual arts—and begin to imagine what a musical analogy might sound like. With others still, thinking about the particular musicians I’m writing for and the things they like to do can be a huge inspiration. It’s hard for me to predict where that initial idea might come from!
What do you think needs to change to grow people's interest in classical music?
Stephenson: I feel it’s important that we celebrate everyone’s unique experiences with music. With newer classical music especially, I worry there is sometimes a perception that there is a correct way to hear and interpret a work, and it is the audience’s job to figure that out and “get it.” I don’t agree with that at all. I’ve shared some of the things I was thinking about when I composed An Elemental Music, for example, but another listener might have completely different perceptions of the piece. Not only am I OK with that, I think that’s wonderful! I love when people tell me about things they heard in my music that I didn’t consider before. Creating spaces for having and sharing these diverse experiences is essential for any musical genre or institution to continue to thrive, in my opinion.
What projects are you currently working on that you're particularly excited about?
Stephenson: I’m beginning to think about a new piece for the Grossman Ensemble, a group of thirteen virtuoso players based in Chicago focused on commissioning and premiering new music. They are an incredible group who can truly play anything! We’ll also have several workshops together before the final set of rehearsals and premiere. I’m really looking forward to this collaboration.
What do you enjoy doing most?
Stephenson: I love hiking, cooking, listening to music, and of course composing.
The New Conductors Orchestra’s “FIRE AND FLOW” concert series will present the New York premiere of Stephenson’s An Elemental Music, along with Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 (“The Great”) and Hector Berlioz’s Overture to Les Francs-juges (The Judges of the Secret Court). Tickets to the May 16 and 17 concerts are now available for purchase.
About New Conductors Orchestra
Founded in 2019, the New Conductors Orchestra (NCO) is a unique community ensemble that champions the next generation of musical leaders. With no set conductor, NCO engages emerging talent from the conducting world, offering them the opportunity to lead dynamic, high-level performances. Through these concerts, NCO bridges the gap between formal conducting education and the professional world, while also featuring works by both classical and living composers. Under the guidance of Lead Conductor Mark Powell, NCO is determined to nurture a collaborative environment where conductors and musicians alike can shape their musical journey.
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