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Michael Clayville, a music instructor at Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music, finds inspiration in his work with Alarm Will Sound, an ensemble he helped found nearly 25 years ago. The group is recognized for its innovative approach to contemporary classical music. "Building this ensemble from the ground up was an entrepreneurial journey, though I didn’t realize it at the time," said Clayville.

Alarm Will Sound includes Lawrence flute professor Erin Lesser and continues to thrive. They are featured on "Land of Winter," a new album by composer Donnacha Dennehy, set for release on November 15 by Nonesuch Records. The ensemble will perform celebratory concerts on December 11 and 12 at New York City's Irish Arts Center and will embark on a four-city tour with their multimedia project Sun Dogs. This follows their recent premiere of a new opera by composer David T. Little in Richmond, Virginia.

Clayville joined Alarm Will Sound during his studies at the Eastman School of Music in the mid-1990s. By the early 2000s, they were performing widely and receiving acclaim from major media outlets like The New York Times and NPR. His role as marketing director provided insights into the entrepreneurial aspects of music, which he now incorporates into his teaching.

“It’s not about creating something niche or exclusive—it’s about creating music that rewards curiosity and openness,” Clayville said.

Lesser describes Dennehy's music as demanding complete engagement due to its spectral tuning and intricate rhythms. "For me, it’s a journey, both in playing and in listening," she said.

Both Clayville and Lesser integrate their experiences with Alarm Will Sound into their teaching at Lawrence University. They emphasize contemporary classical music and the entrepreneurial side of being a musician. Clayville shares lessons learned from launching Alarm Will Sound with students through courses like The Entrepreneurial Musician.

“These classes are all about understanding how to take your passion and turn it into something that can thrive in the real world, even when things feel uncertain,” he said.

Lesser uses her experience to guide students in embracing new works and collaborating with living composers. She cites collaborations with composers like John Luther Adams as influential in her teaching methods.

“The connection between my performance work and teaching is constant and inspiring,” Lesser said.

The process of joining Alarm Will Sound also offered valuable lessons for Lesser. Her audition took nearly a year before she officially joined in 2011.

“As grueling as it was, that audition allowed me to dive deep into the ensemble's mission," she noted.

The evolution of Alarm Will Sound reflects its commitment to performing newly written pieces often composed specifically for them. “It’s important to us that we perform music that reflects the contemporary world,” Clayville stated.

He encourages students to approach performances with curiosity, recognizing each piece's role within a larger musical ecosystem involving composers, performers, and audiences.

“I encourage students to approach their performances with a sense of curiosity and openness," he concluded.