Citywater New Music Ensemble

Citywater is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization, and can receive tax deductible donations. Citywater seeks to create an engaging, entertaining, and challenging concert-going experience that brings the newest chamber music to all audiences.

Hailed by Edward Ortiz as “a top-flight interpreter of contemporary classical music,” Citywater is Sacramento’s own modern chamber ensemble. Comprising flutist Cathie Apple, clarinetist Milun Doskovic, violinist Charles Spruill, IV, cellist Timothy Stanley, pianist Jennifer Reason, and percussionist Ben Prima, Citywater strives to charm and to challenge its audiences with the newest music written.

Establishing itself as one of Sacramento’s premiere chamber ensembles, Citywater performs regularly on the Festival of New American Music, was invited to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Crocker Art Museum by performing a new work written for the occasion, and was recently appointed as the ensemble in residence at the Sacramento State Music Department.

In keeping with its goals to get new music heard, Citywater established a bimonthly concert series, featuring newly composed works by composers such as Kenji Bunch, Alexandra Gardner and Nico Muhly, along with modern classics by composers such as George Crumb and John Cage.

Citywater has also collaborated with composers like Steven Mackey, who invited the ensemble to perform a concert of his works in Berkeley, which featured a performance of Heavy Light, with Mackey himself on electric guitar.

Of special interest to Citywater is supporting local composers like Sunny Knable, Bill Clark, Richard Cionco, and Stephen Blumberg, whose works have been premiered on many of Citywater’s concerts.

Citywater is also one of the recipients of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission’s Cultural Arts Award, a prestigious grant given every three years!