(Photo credit: Nadja Sjöström)

Sir James MacMillan will be the Composer-in-Residence for the Dresden Philharmonie during the 2025-26 season.

The U.S. residency will kick off with a week-long festival of MacMillan’s own choral works as organized by Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence. This will include the world premiere of “Haec Dies” on April 4, 2025 and an all-MacMillan program by the University of Minnesota Singers and Orchestra, including the U.S. Premiere of “The Sun Danced” and “Seven Last Words from the Cross.” This showcase is set for April 6 at Ordway Concert Hall.

“It’s an honour to be named Composer in Residence of the Dresden Philharmonie,” MacMillan said in an official press release. “I’ve been a friend and colleague of Sir Donald Runnicles for many years and he’s given some wonderful performances of my music, both in Scotland and elsewhere. I’m looking forward to hearing what he does with my music in his new role, and to working with the Orchestra and choirs myself.”

There will also be a U.K. component to the residency featuring his second violin concerto.

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