About
TEMPO (The Epicenter Musical Performance Organization), dedicated to the pursuit, performance, and perseverance of contemporary music, was formed in 2008 at California State University, Northridge by Daniel Kessner and Julia Heinen. This ground-breaking ensemble seeks to promote and celebrate the rich diversity of our world through the performance of contemporary musical stories.
In 2025-2026 TEMPO celebrates its 17th season of bringing contemporary music to the world. In addition to programming established contemporary works, it also hosts an annual “Call for Scores,” selecting several works to feature each season.
Our 17th season will feature an 80th birthday celebration of one of our founders, Dan Kessner. We hope you’ll come and join us to celebrate him and his music.
In Spring 2019, TEMPO was honored to receive 1st prize at the Doug Davis Performance Grant for their performance of Fred Lerdahl’s “Time After Time.” In addition, Doug Davis has sponsored a commission for a new work by composer David Werfelmann was premiered in February 2023.
The ensemble of flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, piano, and percussion consists of faculty, alumni, and friends, all of whom share a passion for performing works from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Performances 2025-2026
September 21, 2025 @7:30pm
California State University, Northridge
Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall
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- Xinyuan Deng – Echoes of Silver Rain
- Jeffrey Gao – Phantom Choreographies
- Ellen Ruth Harrison – Echo of One
- Wenbin Lyu – Galactic Playground
- John Mackey – Breakdown Tango
- Karim Al-Zand – Duo
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February 1, 2026 @7:30pm
California State University, Northridge
Shigemi Matsumoto Recital HallSeptember 8, 2024 @7:30pm
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- Christopher Jessup – Suite for Viola and Piano
- Andrew List – The Dignified Heart
- Wenbin Lyu – Duck and Roll
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Celebrating Dan Kessner at 80!
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- Dan Kessner – Poles Apart
- Dan Kessner – Enchanted Garden
- Dan Kessner- Imaginary Temple
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May 22, 2026 @7:30pm
University of California Santa Barbara
- works by student composers and faculty
Score Submission
TEMPO Ensemble
Score submissions for our 2026-27 season (our 18th) are now open.
Please submit your scores for consideration HERE:
Call for Scores
18th Season 2026-2027
TEMPO (The Epicenter Music Performance Organization) promotes and celebrates the rich diversity of our world through the performance of contemporary musical stories. We seek scores for our unique ensemble from composers of all backgrounds, ages and identities for our next season of exciting and engaging concerts.
Our septet, comprised of leading performers in the Los Angeles area, consisting of flutes (all), clarinets (all), violin(s), viola(s), cello, percussion, and piano, and 1st place winner of the 2019 Douglas Davis Performance Competition, invites scores with or without conductor, either for the entire ensemble or smaller groups within our instrumentation.
Works will be selected for our coming 18th season at California State University, Northridge in addition to other venues. Each work selected will receive a recorded public performance for inclusion in the composer‘s portfolio.
Submissions of scores and recordings by June 15th, 2026. Recordings can be either live or recorded performances or synthetic renditions.
Submissions must include a $40 fee for the first score, and $20 for each additional piece. For multiple submissions, please submit separate forms for each work.
Questions should be addressed to Julia Heinen, julia.heinen@csun.edu.
Contact
TEMPO New Music Ensemble
California State University, Northridge
Department of Music
Attention: Julia Heinen
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8314
(818) 677-3168