MISSION-DRIVEN MUSIC PROGRAMS
Comprised of some of Oregon's most talented performers, this flexible chamber music ensemble promotes living composers and introduces audiences to new music being made both locally and globally with its uniquely relevant Annual Concert Series. The group educates and trains the next generation of young composers by way of the Young Composers Project. As a public advocate for global peace and equity, Fear No Music leverages its platforms for healing, activism and social justice.
Fear No Music is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
The Fear No Music Ensemble is a group of dedicated professional musicians with a passion for performing the chamber music of our time and fostering a love for live ensemble music. FNM’s annual concert series highlights important national and international developments in contemporary classical and post-classical music, while also giving voice to Northwestern composers and celebrating the diversity of Portland’s local music community.
Since its founding in 1992, Fear No Music has premiered over seventy-five works, focusing on composers of diverse origin, background, and gender. Having collaborated with video artists, taiko drummers, and performers of zheng, didgeridu, shakuhachi, theremin, and electronics, Fear No Music concerts consistently push the boundaries of chamber music, helping reshape the genre in a modern context.
Through vibrant national collaborations, high-concept programs, and the specific appropriation of some of the most salient topics related to American identity, Fear No Music offers one of the country’s most exciting annual concert series.
The Young Composers Project (YCP) provides groundbreaking mentorship in music composition for youth interested in exploring composing as a career or life passion. Professional musicians and composers train young composers (grades 5-12) and develop their new works through a series of workshops and public performances of their music. Over the years YCP students have won numerous state, regional, and national honors for their works. Past YCP participants now pursue careers with national and international profiles as orchestral, theater, film, and television composers.
Music as Activism: Fear No Music boldly advocates for global peace and equity, leveraging its annual concert series as a platform for healing, activism and social justice, helping to alleviate the modern day social/political divide. By presenting quality programming and production that appropriately responds to relevant topics related to national identity, Fear No Music connects Portlanders to the international movement of restorative justice through the medium of music. The shared experience of Fear No Music’s live performances encourage conversations about and inspired action around the commonalities of our human experience that transcend our differences. Fear No Music programs amplify the voices and stories of oppressed peoples, environmental issues, and important cultural works. Through justice driven programs, Fear No Music expands audiences’ awareness of and capability to process emotions associated with the stark realities of the world we live in, thus offering an avenue for healing and positive change.
Composers C. J. Bey and Nicholas Emerson joined Kenji Bunch to discuss the World Premiere performance of Level Up!, a collaborative composition for Hip Hop artist, guitar, and string ensemble, co-written/produced by them both as a call to us all to do better. This work premiered June 20th, 2022 as part of Fear No Music's 30th Anniversary Season.
“The musicians that comprise Fear No Music are all individually committed to social justice, and the recent years of national unrest have amplified that passion. As an organization, we find ourselves compelled to leverage our talent and public identity to shine a light on the stories of those who are misunderstood or suffering hardship. Additionally, in presenting music that takes a stance, we aim to demonstrate without a doubt the relevance, power and importance of music at a time when it too is facing adversity by way of cuts in education and funding.”
- Kenji Bunch, Artistic Director
What People Are Saying
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“People have a tendency to think that the outpouring of hate we're experiencing today is new. But the sad truth is that Oregon's history of hate goes back to its founding over 150 years ago... When we gather together to remember and to mourn these kinds of tragedies, we build community and resilience. Art as a vehicle for that kind of gathering is particularly powerful for opening the hearts, inspiring the soul and creating hope. Portland United Against Hate is honored to partner with Fear No Music in recognition of the vital contribution this event is making in creating the world we both envision.”
— Rabbi Debra Kolodny, Program Director, Portland United Against Hate
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“Fear No Music’s husband-and-wife leadership team — Artistic Director Kenji Bunch and Executive Director Monica Ohuchi — have spent the past five years making FNM the best kind of Portland hybrid: a classical ensemble with unimpeachable performance credentials, a love for local and contemporary composers, and a mature sense of social justice and responsibility.”
— Oregon ArtsWatch
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“Fear No Music has been delivering brilliant musical experiences to Portland for over 25 years, and tonight this classically trained collective offers a program of fresh compositions responding to last year's senate confirmation hearings that elevated the dishonorable Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court… Come give witness to the power of creative transmutation as some of this town's finest musicians turn national heartache into unadulterated hope.”
— Portland Mercury
Give the gift of music…
Fear No Music teaches, mentors, fosters, and showcases live ensemble music in our local community. Help us provide the gift of music & music education!
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