JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHY RECAP: Fulton Street Collective Presented a performance with “Mycelium New Music: Folk Songs” by Harvey Tillis

5/28/26 - Mycelium New Music is a Chicago-based ensemble committed to creating imaginative, multidisciplinary performances of contemporary music that showcase diverse emerging voices. mycelium collaborates with composers, performers, and artists, and curates impactful and adventurous programming in Chicago’s artistic ecosystem and beyond.

mycelium new music presents folk songs, a program exploring connections between contemporary classical music and musical traditions from around the world. The performance showcases music by three living composers who engage with folk traditions: Saad Haddad’s Selig Licht, which blends with the rhythmic and melodic framework of Arabic music with a Bach chorale, Charles Peck’s colorful and groovy Kindling, which is influenced by bluegrass fiddle techniques, and Cheng Jin Koh’s YAMA, which will feature the composer playing the yangqin (chinese hammered dulcimer) alongside the ensemble. Ethnomusicologist Varshini Narayanan leads a panel discussion with the composers about their compositional influences and musical backgrounds, before guest artist soprano Kristina Bachrach joins mycelium to perform Luciano Berio’s lush and lyrical Folk Songs.

The ensemble takes its name from the mycelial network, the underground web of fungi that symbiotically connects an entire forest. Mycelium New Music cultivates connection, curiosity, and a shared musical ecology that thrives underground and bursts into light.

Program

Selig Licht for pierrot ensemble – Saad Haddad

Kindling for pierrot ensemble – Charles Peck

YAMA for pierrot ensemble – Cheng Jin Koh

Folk Songs for voice and seven instruments – Luciano Berio

Musicians:

Justin Weiss, conductor/co-artistic director

Paul Novak, flute/co-artistic director

Michael Tran, clarinet

Dylan Feldpausch, violin

Isidora Nojkovic, cello

Jonathan Hannau, piano

Kyle Flens, percussion

with guest artists:

Kristina Bachrach, soprano

Kari Novilla, harp

Visual artist Ryan Miller created original work in response to the music.

All photos by Harvey Tillis

ABOUT:

Harvey Tillis is a documentary still photographer with a fine art eye available for recording sessions, environmental portraits, and creative projects. Contact him at harveytillisphotography.com

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