Program to include: Samantha Wolf: “Professor Good Trip” (2025) for piano and live multimedia (US premiere) Alex Raineri: New work for the University of Alabama Composition Department (world premiere) Biography Hailed as a “born communicator” (The Australian), Alex Raineri is a classically-trained musician that is active Internationally and throughout Australia as a recitalist, concerto soloist, chamber musician, writer, producer and educator. He lives and works on Jagera and Turrbul Country, in Brisbane/Meanjin. Alex is the Artistic Director of the annual Brisbane Music Festival. He is a passionate exponent and commissioner of Contemporary Art Music, having given 127 World Premieres + 163 Australian Premieres to date. He has commissioned over 70 works, a significant contribution to Australian Art Music. He is an ambassador for Australian music Internationally, and a sector-leader within the Australian arts scene. A recent Churchill fellow, international performances include tours throughout America, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Southeast Asia, New Zealand. Within Australia, Alex has appeared as a feature artist in many major festivals and venues. As a concerto soloist he has appeared with the Queensland, Tasmanian, Darwin and West Australian Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, Queensland Pops Orchestra. He has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio NZ, California Capital Public Radio, ABC Classic FM. Major awards include the Kerikeri International Piano Competition and Australian National Piano Award. He was the recipient of the Queensland Luminary Award in the 2021 APRA/AMCOS Art Music Awards and received a Kranichsteiner Musikpries at the International Summer Courses for New Music (Darmstadt, Germany). Additionally to a full-time performative profile, Alex is a radio-presenter on 4MBS Classic FM, a reviewer for The Music Trust’s ‘Loudmouth’, and holds associate artist positions at both the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University + University of Queensland. The University of Alabama Contemporary Ensemble aims to create a welcoming, adventurous space for performers of all backgrounds and skill levels to engage with music of our time.  The ensemble aims to enlarge the audience for contemporary art music, and to generate new opportunities for its performance. The ensemble is dedicated to encouraging and nurturing the music and careers of the composers and performers of today. The Contemporary Music Ensemble champions the belief that new music is for everyone. We welcome all – practiced musicians, budding talents, or those who simply appreciate music’s vast tapestry. The ensemble is directed by Dr. Amir Zaheri, Dr. Colin Kemper, and Professor Samantha Wolf.