Photo of Earle Brown

Perspectives on Earle Brown at 100

A centennial celebration of the composer Earle Brown at Central Connecticut State University on October 9, 2026

Earle Brown (1926–2002) was an American composer who composed dozens of works for orchestra, choir, chamber ensembles, and electronic media employing innovative musical techniques including improvisation, graphic notation, and open form.One hundred years after Brown’s birth, Perspectives on Earle Brown at 100 celebrates and examines Brown’s contributions by juxtaposing artistic and scholarly perspectives on his work and legacy.This one-day event on Friday, October 9, 2026 at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT will feature musical performances, scholarly presentations, a performance practice roundtable, a gallery exhibition, and an electronic music concert with octophonic sound. The event is free and open to the public. Click here to view the schedule.Perspectives on Earle Brown at 100 is organized by Drake Andersen (CCSU) with support from the Central Connecticut State University Music Department, the Carol A. Ammon College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and the Paul Sacher Stiftung, as well as a CSU-AAUP Faculty Research Grant. The organizers would also like to acknowledge the collaboration of Rebecca Y. Kim and Thomas Fichter, Earle Brown Music Foundation.For more information, please contact Drake Andersen at dandersen [at] ccsu.eduTo learn more about Earle Brown, please visit the Earle Brown Music Foundation website at https://earle-brown.org/

Perspectives on Earle Brown at 100 will take place on Friday, October 9, 2026 on the campus of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT.Tentative schedule (subject to change):9:00am Welcome
Founders Hall
9:15-10:45am Paper Presentations
Founders Hall
11:00-11:45am Public Dialogue on the Earle Brown Collection
Founders Hall
12:00-12:30pm Informal Presentation on "Seeing and Being in Sound: Earle Brown and Beyond" Art exhibition
Chen Art Gallery, Maloney Hall
12:30-1:30pm Lunch break1:30pm Concert #1
Featuring the Tactus Ensemble from the Manhattan School of Music, CCSU student and faculty musicians, and guest artist Benjamin Katz
Founders Hall
2:30pm A Roundtable Discussion on Performing the Music of Earle Brown
Founders Hall
3:30pm Concert #2
Featuring the Tactus Ensemble from the Manhattan School of Music
Founders Hall
5:00pm Dinner break7:30pm Electronic Music Concert
Founders Hall
Founders Hall is located in Lawrence J. Davidson Hall (Campus Map).The exhibition "Seeing and Being in Sound: Earle Brown and Beyond" will be on display on the CCSU campus in the Chen Art Gallery, Maloney Hall, from October 9-November 12.

Campus
Central Connecticut State University is located in New Britain, CT. The campus is accessible by car via I-84 (Directions). Public transport options are limited at this time.
Most events will take place in Founders Hall, located in Lawrence J. Davidson Hall. The gallery exhibition is located in the Chen Art Gallery in James J. Maloney Hall (Campus Map).Visitors to campus can park in any "red" lot or garage level. The most convenient location to park is Welte Garage (enter "Welte Hall Lot, New Britain, CT 06053" into your GPS)Dining
Casual dining options are available on campus in the Student Center. Several restaurants are located within walking distance in the plaza at 1537 Stanley Street. Additional options by car in nearby Newington and Farmington.
Lodging
For those looking to stay overnight, we recommend the Courtyard by Marriott Hartford Farmington. Another option is the WoodSpring Suites Newington.
Medical
Nearby Medical Providers
Safety
CCSU Campus Police
Nearby Points of Interest
Points of interest include the New Britain Museum of American Art, which holds a significant collection of twentieth-century art, including works by Calder, Pollock, and Stella.
Calder's monumental public sculpture Stegosaurus is located just 15 minutes from campus in Hartford.Anyone seeking a relaxing walk or respite in nature is invited to visit Stanley Quarter Park, just west of campus.