About
Reena Esmail’s music weaves together the traditions of Hindustani and Western classical music, drawing musicians from a variety of perspectives into dialogue.
She writes concert music for orchestra, choir, band and chamber ensembles, and works with musicians all over the United States and abroad.
Read MorePhoto by Rachel Garcia.
New Releases
November 1, 2025
Crystal Preludes: Book I is out!
Reena’s full set of preludes for solo piano, written from 2020 to 2025 is out in an exended edition with performance notes.
September 12, 2025
Ember releases debut album Birds of Paradise
A new arrangement of Saans for violin, cello and harp is featured on Ember’s debut album.
August 8, 2025
New EP of Exaltations by Cathedral Choral Society
Cathedral Choral Society has released an EP of Reena’s three movement work, Exaltations.
News
January 29, 2026
Philadelphia Orchestra announces 26/27 Season
Including the world premier of Esmail Concerto for Orchestra (co-commissioned with San Francisco Symphony) to premiere in May 2027, conducted by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin
January 2, 2026
Clarinetists: there is still time to join the International Clarinet Association’s consortium for Reena’s new work for clarinet and piano!
December 15, 2025
Review: Kuttanadan Punjayile with Cleveland Orchestra
“…one of the evening’s highlights: “Kuttanadan Punjayile,” a South Indian folk song arranged by Reena Esmail. Unfamiliar to many in the audience, it made a quiet, powerful impression — poised and sincere, a reminder that holiday music can include multitudes.”
Photo by TEDXSkidRow 2012.
Upcoming Events
*Reena will be present at the starred events. Please come say hello!
Catalog
With a catalog of more than 100 original works—nearly 200 including alternate instrumentations—Reena’s music spans the genres of orchestral, choral, vocal, chamber, and band music. Her work is recognized for its distinctive synthesis of Western and Indian classical traditions: sometimes by weaving Indian musical elements into Western ensembles, and other times by bringing musicians from both traditions into direct dialogue with one another.
Alongside her concert work, she also has an expanding body of works for students, as well as side-by-side pieces that bring professional and community musicians together (some of which are free of charge to performers and community ensembles).
Browse Reena’s complete catalog here. For conductors seeking orchestral repertoire, an interactive tool allows you to filter and discover works based on instrumentation, duration, and difficulty. Choral directors can also explore an interactive tool for choral recommendations tailored to ensemble, level, length et al here.
Reena with Arlen Hlusko at Tippet Rise, Fishtail, MT 2022.
Blog
Blog is forthcoming. Stay tuned.
FAQ
For interviews and articles that cover a range of questions Reena is most often asked, visit the FAQ page.
Projects
Check back for a list of Reena’s projects!