The mission of Collage New Music is to commission, perform, and record contemporary music, and to provide an arena for the union of composer, performer, and listener, through engaging pre-concert lectures, thoughtful and innovative programming, and informal gatherings.Founded in 1972 by Frank Epstein, Collage New Music is highly regarded for its scintillating performances of music by the great composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Over the past three decades Collage has given the first Boston performances of more than 200 works, including 80 world premieres. Under the direction of David Hoose since 1991, Collage has commissioned new works by such luminaries as Andrew Imbrie and John Harbison, as well as many local composers. Many of the finest American singers of contemporary music have appeared as guests with Collage, as have Seiji Ozawa, Gunther Schuller, Milton Babbitt, Clark Terry, Vanessa Redgrave, and others. Collage concerts have ranged from solo performances to fully staged chamber opera and music with extensive electronic equipment.