Critics' picks - classical music

"Sick Puppy"

This annual new-music seminar at New England Conservatory draws its memorable nickname from its acronym, SICPP, or the Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice. More importantly, it promises an invigorating weeklong dose of contemporary music, with free concerts every evening. In residence this year will be the Japanese composer Jo Kondo, but the programs, beginning tomorrow, will also feature a wide range of works by Helmut Lachenmann, John Zorn, Morton Feldman, and Steve Reich, among many others. 617-585-1122, sicpp.org. - Jeremy Eichler

Rockport Chamber Music Festival

The Biava Quartet, a young rising ensemble, performs at Rockport on Thursday (Haydn, Janacek, and Grieg) and Saturday (Kodaly and Dohnanyi, with pianist David Deveau). At 8 p.m., Rockport Art Association, 978-546-7391, rcmf.org. - JE