Because of the generally conservative audiences in Washington, local ensembles tend not to program too much contemporary music, preferring to stick with familiar favorites. The Kennedy Center’s CrossCurrents contemporary music festival, which opened auspiciously on Friday night with a superb concert by the Russian composer Lera Auerbach, is attempting to buck that trend. If you are the sort who complains about hearing the same old music, you are obliged to get out there and listen to something new.

Violinist Leila Josefowicz (photo by Deborah O’Grady)

MAKE IT NEW:
>> On Monday (May 4, 7:30 p.m.), senior American composer Joan Tower will get the CrossCurrents treatment in a Composer Spotlight concert with the Muir Quartet and Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio in the Kennedy Center Family Theater.

>> On Tuesday (May 5, 7:30 p.m.) the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio and Miami String Quartet will perform a new piano septet by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.

>> The Nash Ensemble of London will take the stage on Wednesday (May 6, 7:30 p.m.) with music by Oliver Knussen, Carter, Birtwhistle, Maw, and others in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.

>> Speaking of Oliver Knussen, he will conduct the National Symphony Orchestra this week (May 7 to 9), including a performance of his new violin concerto with Leila Josefowicz playing the solo part.

>> One of the best contemporary music concerts of the week is not even at the Kennedy Center. It will feature the adventurous pianist Jenny Lin playing music by Ligeti, Messiaen, and Unsuk Chin in the Mansion at Strathmore on Thursday (May 7, 7:30 p.m.).

>> Finally, Oliver Knussen will also lead a chamber ensemble drawn from the National Symphony Orchestra in a program including his own Requiem: Songs for Sue, as well as works by Turnage and others on Sunday evening (May 10, 7:30 p.m.) in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Take your mother at your own risk, unless she happens to love contemporary music.