The mission of Ensemble CONCEPT/21 was from the beginning one of service to the new generation of composition voices. Prior to the founding of EC/21, the IU South Bend New Music Ensemble and its director, Jorge Muñiz had established a partnership with the Conservatory of Asturias, Spain for an exchange of faculty, students, and new compositions through the program “Music Across the Atlantic.” Through several iterations, several faculty members from both institutions visited their colleagues from across the pond to offer workshops, lectures, readings, and concerts of new music, especially by the young new voices. When EC/21 was founded in 2014, it was clear that this was an element of service that this new ensemble could continue for the support of the young composers in Northern Indiana, Michiana and the Greater Chicago area. Premieres of works from Spain have continued with them, but the new element introduced by EC/21 was a call for scores, which has been announced every fall since 2014 for high school, undergraduate, and graduate composers to submit new works for premiere in the Spring concert every year, at the “New Voices in Michiana” event.

EC/21 has premiered over 50 works by both young and established composers.