Cutting Edge Concerts New Music Festival, now in its 21st season, was founded by the composer and conductor Victoria Bond to feature the music of living composers. CEC has been called "a full-throttle commitment to contemporary music" by Chamber Music America, and "a gift to New Yorkers thirsty for new sounds" by Time Out New York. Discussions with the composers are featured on each program prior to performances by outstanding ensembles and soloists. Highlights of the 2018 festival include a tribute to the late Eric Salzman, with his opera Big Jim and the Small-time Investors (April 9); Sybarite 5 and Shakuhachi master James Schlefer (April 16); Hub New Music featuring Victoria Bond's Bridges (April 23); and Cygnus Ensemble, presenting a world premiere by David Del Tredici (April 30).