VIDEO: Miller Theatre Launches Fake Reality Series DESPERATE MEASURES

Miller Theatre at Columbia University School of the Arts announces a new music reality television series, DESPERATE MEASURES. Composers battle it out for the chance to be the next big name in new music, beginning Tuesdays this fall at 9pm, immediately following THE VOICE. Watch the trailer for the show below (and bear in mind it's April Fool's Day)!

Miller Theatre brings the cutting edge of new music right to your living room. Tune in on Tuesday evenings this fall to watch composers battle it out through challenges such as Speed Composing, Atonal Lip-Syncing, and The Obstacle Course of Landing a Commission. Cutthroat competition is juxtaposed with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, including searing criticisms from our panel of expert judges and candid "composer confessionals," taking viewers behind the scenes and giving them the first-ever glimpse into the surprisingly competitive world of contemporary composition.

The premiere season of DESPERATE MEASURES features established and emerging composers including Zosha Di Castri, Ashley Fure, Michael Gordon, and David T. Little, cut off from their family and friends and living together in Allegro House. Watch as the pressure crescendos each and every episode.

See composers sweat as they furiously compose a chamber piece in 30 minutes using only objects the intern found backstage. Will Michael Gordon's Symphony in C Major for Napkins and Colored Pencils make your heart sing, or will it fall flat? Our panel of expert judges-including violinist Jennifer Koh, publisher Norman Ryan, and critic Steve Smith-weighs in. Each week the composer on the chopping block faces their biggest fear, in The Obstacle Course of Landing a Commission. Will they have a chance to go da capo, and take another crack at the top prize, or will their time at Allegro House reach its final fine? Tune in to find out.

The last composer standing takes home everything needed to launch a major career, with the Ultimate Composer Prize Pack, including: a world premiere performance of their piece by violinist Jennifer Koh, in concert at Miller Theatre at Columbia University; an international publishing deal with Schott Music; and a front-page review by respected music writer Steve Smith of The Boston Globe. (Miller Theatre makes no guarantees as to the content of said review.)

From Miller Theatre Executive Director Melissa Smey: "Miller Theatre has a strong track record for discovering and promoting great compositional talent, but few people know about the drama that goes on behind closed doors. For too long, we've kept the public in the dark about what it means to be a contemporary composer. With DESPERATE MEASURES, we finally have a chance to show audiences just how scintillating new music can be."

Do you have what it takes to be the next Steve Reich? We want you for season two of DESPERATE MEASURES. This is an open call for any composer, aspiring or established, to prove they belong on music reality TV. Prepare a score to be played by the JACK Quartet; a list of conversation topics to woo a wealthy donor; and a well-rehearsed lip-sync to John Cage's 4:33. But be warned: we're not here to make friends.

Happy April Fools Day from the Miller Theatre!