dal niente was founded in 2004 by composer Kirsten Broberg and has since established itself as one of Chicago's leading new music organizations.
 

dal niente's concerts are intense and dedicated performances of the most revolutionary, ambitious and virtuosic contemporary music. Made up of 25 charismatic soloists, the ensemble's repertoire is wide-ranging and far-reaching, encompassing everything from Lachenmann to Radiohead.

Committed to exposing the world to the exorbitance of today's compositional talent, the ensemble has presented over 50 premieres in its brief existence. It works with established and younger composers to present forceful performances of the newest of new music.

dal niente believes in aggressively fostering new audiences for new music. The ensemble and its subsets perform at both traditional and non-traditional venues.

dal niente's recent guest artists have included leaders in contemporary music such as composers Alvin Lucier, Augusta Read Thomas and Lee Hyla; grammy-nominated soprano Tony Arnold, and clarinetist Gareth Davis. dal niente has recently performed at the Sonic Impact Festival at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and the Sound Field New and Experimental Music Festival.

The name dal niente, Italian for "from nothing", references the title of the revolutionary and virtuosic piece, Dal niente (Interieur III) for clarinet (1970) by Helmut Lachenmann.