About the LOST//FOUND Commissioning Project
ABOUT US
Lost//Found is a community-centered percussion chamber music project co-founded by percussionists Noah Kanner and Glenn vanValkenburgh at Michigan State University. We transform everyday materials and found objects into vibrant musical instruments through newly commissioned contemporary works.
RECLAIMING EVERYDAY SOUND
A lost-and-found box is usually full of forgotten items, but beneath the surface, those objects hold personal memories, unique character, and rich sonic possibilities. LOST//FOUND bridges contemporary music and public culture by demonstrating how gesture, intention, and structure turn ordinary materials into expressive art. By replacing traditional concert expectations with shared discovery, we make chamber music universally relatable and accessible.
WHAT DRIVES US
Ethical Commissioning: We champion fair composer compensation and collaborative creative processes to build a unique, sustainable repertoire of found-object chamber works.
Immersive Performances: We prioritize close audience proximity, offering listeners an up-close look at how sound is created and demystifying the world of contemporary percussion.
Educational Outreach: We plan to bring interactive performance demos and mini-workshops into local schools, demonstrating that any object can be an instrument and removing cost barriers to musical creation.
LOOKING AHEAD
Our inaugural program cycle culminates in a Spring 2027 premiere recital featuring four original works commissioned from composers Evan Gedert, Emma Brugger, Joshua Harlan, and Ayako Pederson-Takeda. Centered on themes of transformation, memory, and rediscovery, LOST//FOUND is actively expanding across Greater East Lansing venues, regional schools, and plans a second cycle consortium to leave a lasting artistic mark on the community.
The Team
Noah Kanner
Co-Founder, Performer, and Grant Writer
Noah Kanner is a Percussion Performance student at MSU (Michigan State University), with a deeply rooted love of music and a drive to perform chamber music at a high level. He is originally from Walled Lake, MI and enjoys Rock Climbing and Cooking in his free time.
Glenn vanValkenburgh
Co-Founder, Performer, and Recording Technician
Glenn vanValkenburgh is a Bachelor of Arts in Music student at Michigan State University, whose area of study leans towards recording and music technology, which he balances with a love of performing with the MSU Wind Symphony and the MSU Percussion Ensemble. He is originally from Great Falls, VA and
