New voices, new music: CMI kicks off inaugural season

Young Manitoba composers take centre stage at inaugural CMI concerts. 

It takes courage, creativity and a whole lot of hustle to build a life in music. For performers, that often means collaborating with others to bring existing works to life. For composers, it’s about creating something entirely new—and hoping it gets heard more than once. But for a new generation of artists in Manitoba, it also means championing each other’s work. 

That’s exactly what the Contemporary Music Interactive (CMI) is all about. The initiative launches its inaugural season this weekend with two bold and exciting concerts featuring eight original compositions by young Manitoban composers. The performances take place Friday, May 23 and Sunday, May 25. 

From idea to action 

CMI was co-founded by violinists Sophie Reimer-Epp and River Sawchyn, who wanted to create more opportunities for young performers and composers to share the stage. The idea grew out of a discussion at the Rosamunde Summer Music Academy a couple of years ago, where Reimer-Epp and others were encouraged to stop waiting for the “right time” and instead take the leap. 

That message stuck with her. 

“I've always loved new music,” said Reimer-Epp. “I’m not a composer myself, but I wanted to perform more of it—and to do that, we need to support the composers who are writing it.” 

She reached out to Sawchyn, a fellow violinist and composer who shared her passion, and together they began developing what would become CMI. 

Support from Groundswell 

A major boost came from Winnipeg’s Groundswell, which supported the initiative through its GroundFloor program. Alongside financial help, Groundswell provided invaluable mentorship. 

“Having someone ask us to put everything—budget, vision, logistics—on paper really helped crystallize what we wanted this to be,” said Reimer-Epp. 

Five of the eight featured compositions are string quartets Reimer-Epp and Sawchyn are the two violinists in the string quartet that will be performing these works. Rehearsals began this week, and Reimer-Epp said it’s been a joy to finally dig into the music after months of planning. 

“This is the part we’ve been waiting for—the performance and collaboration.” 

How the composers got involved 

Many of the young composers featured in the Friday concert, including Elisheva Schwartz and Ari Hooker, were already part of Winnipeg’s music scene and had longstanding connections with Reimer-Epp and Sawchyn through programs like the Winnipeg Youth Orchestras and the Rosamunde Festival. 

Schwartz said she learned about CMI directly from Sawchyn at a summer program and spent the school year composing her piece, which she’ll perform alongside Hooker. 

Hooker heard about it in a similar way, through community connections rather than a formal call. 

Though CMI has leaned heavily on social media to promote the concerts, not all of the artists are convinced it’s the most effective tool. Hooker said word-of-mouth and posters still go a long way, while Schwartz admitted she’s nearly off social media entirely. Reimer-Epp, however, said she’s noticed it helping with name recognition—especially among younger audiences. 

More than music: putting composers in the spotlight 

CMI concerts don’t just feature performances—they also give each composer a chance to speak about their work and answer audience questions. 

Reimer-Epp believes this connection is key, both for performers and listeners. 

“When you're close to the source—the composer—it changes how you interpret and understand the music,” she said. “And for the audience, that insight makes what they're hearing feel more accessible.” 

Composers were asked to prepare short presentations in advance and will run through them during dress rehearsals. 

Hooker’s piece on the program is the first movement of his piano quartet. Though he doesn’t assign a specific narrative to the work, he said it came from a desire to write for a larger ensemble and reflects his love of chamber music. 

Schwartz, currently studying cello and composition at the University of Ottawa, said her piece developed in close collaboration with her teacher and includes lush harmonies and jazz-influenced chords. Her goal? To write a beautiful melody she could enjoy playing on cello. 

Looking ahead to the concerts 

With the concerts just days away, the artists are feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. 

Reimer-Epp said it’s surreal to see the project come to life: “We’ve been dreaming about this audience, this stage, these performances. Now, it’s actually happening.” 

For Schwartz, the personal connection is front of mind. “I’m excited to play for my family—they’ve heard about what I’m doing, but not really heard the music itself.” 

Hooker summed it up best: “Sharing new music with others—that’s what it’s all about.” 

CMI inaugural concerts 

• Friday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. 

• Sunday, May 25 at 2:00 p.m. 

• Location Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship Church
  More details at cmiwinnipeg.ca