Jazz players hone their chops at jam sessions and songwriters test new material at open mics all over town, but where can classical composers try out their music in public? While composers at colleges and universities enjoy a built-in roster of instrumentalists (often students or faculty) and free or damn cheap access to a campus performance space, the going gets rough for composers out in the real world. Orchestras and chamber groups rarely deign to perform the music of local composers, and when they do, lack of money and rehearsal time preclude any substantial commitment to more than one or two well-known names.

The Seattle Composers Salon tries to remedy the situation by offering classical composers a venue to present works-in-progress and finished work. Held every two months at the Soundbridge space nestled under downtown Seattle's Benaroya Hall, the music at these gigs is adventurous and often experimental, ranging from piano sonatas to string quartets to multi-channel electro-acoustic music.

"The Salon is not a concert," says organizer, curator, and emcee Tom Baker. "It's a place for composers to try out new pieces, get feedback from the audience, and talk about their work." To keep things informal, Baker facilitates a discussion with the composer and audience. "Asking the composer questions makes it easier for the audience to approach and appreciate what might be 'difficult' music."

Since January, the peripatetic Salon has found a home--and capacity crowds--at Soundbridge. This time Baker has corralled works by Byron Au Yong, James Gardner, Keith Eisenbrey, Gordon Assadi, David Mesler, and Bryan Stratton, who will present works for solo piano, string trio, solo guitar, soprano and piano, and percussion. Christopher DeLaurenti

The next Seattle Composers Salon is Fri May 31 (Soundbridge at Benaroya Hall, Second & Union, 215-4747) at 8 pm.

chris@delaurenti.net