Contempo was founded in the fall of 1964 by renowned composer and conductor Ralph Shapey, who continued to direct the ensemble until his retirement in 1993. Shapey was succeeded by Stephen Mosko, who held the position of Music Director from 1994 to 1998. Seeking to more closely integrate its artistic vision with its educational mission, Contempo underwent a major restructuring by the Department of
Music in 1998. Over the next four seasons, conductors Cliff Colnot, Barbara Schubert, and Carmen Helena Tellez served consecutively as Resident Conductors, with the award-winning Pacifica Quartet and eighth blackbird joining Contempo as Artists-in-Residence in 1998 and 2000, respectively. In 2002 Shulamit Ran was appointed Contempo Artistic Director, and in 2004—the ensemble’s 40th season—Contempo forged a bold new artistic path, including its current name and new venues.
