Alarm Will Sound Celebrated 25 Years

The chamber ensemble marked its 25th anniversary with a new album and upcoming performances in New York City.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Classical

Abstract graphic illustration in blue, silver, and white, featuring geometric orchestral and electronic instrument forms, representing a contemporary chamber music ensemble. — The chamber ensemble Alarm Will Sound marks its 25th anniversary with the release of the new album 'New Acoustica' and upcoming New York performances. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Alarm Will Sound has reached its 25th anniversary, commemorating the milestone with the release of the album New Acoustica. The ensemble is also slated to host sold-out performances at the Park Avenue Armory next week.

Why it matters

The ensemble has maintained a unique collaborative structure for over two decades that prioritizes group debate and innovation. This approach has allowed the group to bridge the gap between complex electronic music and classical instrumentation.

The group performs Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians and has previously released Acoustica in 2005. Its new release, New Acoustica, features re-imagined arrangements of tracks by SOPHIE, Jlin, and Aphex Twin.

The players

Alarm Will Sound

This chamber ensemble is known for performing acoustic arrangements of electronic music.

SOPHIE

This producer and musician is one of the artists featured in the ensemble's new album arrangements.

Jlin

This electronic musician has their work re-imagined in the ensemble's recent recording project.

Aphex Twin

This influential electronic composer is among the artists whose work is featured on the new album.

Steve Reich

This minimalist composer created the piece Music for 18 Musicians, which is part of the ensemble's repertoire.

The details

Alarm Will Sound re-imagines electronic tracks by utilizing non-traditional orchestral techniques such as vocal hoses and snare drums. The ensemble operates with a member-led composition structure that encourages collaborative musical debate.

2001: The year the ensemble first formed.
2005: The year the group released their first Acoustica album.
2026: The year the group released the album New Acoustica.
October 2026: The month the ensemble celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Next week: The timing for the sold-out shows at the Park Avenue Armory.

Industry Dynamics

Alarm Will Sound's anniversary marks a departure from standard commission-led models by maintaining a member-led and arrangement-focused artistic identity. This contrasts with established precedents like the Kronos Quartet's repertoire expansion by focusing on re-imagining electronic tracks.

Fans in New York City can attend the group's upcoming shows at the Park Avenue Armory next week. While these specific performances are sold out, audiences can access the ensemble's recent arrangements through the release of the album New Acoustica.

The takeaway

The group demonstrates that electronic and classical music can be effectively bridged through dedicated collaborative arrangement. Listeners can explore the group's evolution by comparing their 2005 release to their 2026 project.