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A Prelude to Masterpieces: UMS Events Celebrating Music, Dance, and Cultural Fusion
The University Musical Society (UMS) has curated a remarkable lineup of events that promise to envelop audiences in the harmonious blend of music, dance, and cultural expressions. From the haunting echoes of Verdi’s Requiem to the rhythmic innovation of Makaya McCraven’s jazz, UMS is set to present a diverse array of performances. This autumn, Ann Arbor will resonate with the sounds of choral melodies, orchestral grandeur, and the timeless elegance of Ballet BC, offering a cultural feast for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Jul 15, 2025
Share1. UMS Choral Union presents Summer Sings: J.S. Bach Magnificat
As many as 250 singers from southeastern Michigan, northern Ohio, and Canada have joined each session in singing through great choral repertoire with some of the nation’s most respected choral conductors and outstanding soloists. We rehearse portions of the score during the first half, break for refreshments, and then re-convene to sing through the entire work.
Aug 11, 2025
University Musical Society
Ann Arbor, MI · Walgreen Drama Center
2. Verdi’s Requiem
From the hushed opening of the Requiem aeternam to the thunderous cries of the Dies irae, Verdi’s Requiem is one of the most powerful choral masterpieces ever written.
Sep 26, 2025
University Musical Society
Ann Arbor, MI · University of Michigan
3. Nigamon / Tunai
Nigamon / Tunai (the words translate to “song” in the Anishinaabemowin and Inga languages) is an immersive performance ritual rooted in the presence of the natural world and co-exists with the audience, who are in close proximity to the performers on the Power Center stage.
2 - 7 Oct, 2025
University Musical Society
Ann Arbor, MI · University Musical Society
4. Makaya McCraven
The prolific Chicago-based drummer, composer, and producer Makaya McCraven is a cultural synthesizer with a unique gift for blending past, present, and future into jazz-rooted 21st-century folk music. “McCraven has quietly become one of the best arguments for jazz’s vitality,” says The New York Times. “His ability to wrap his albums in the dark allure of a club show, the timeless texture of an old Folkways record, and the sonic layering of a hip-hop producer has turned Mr. McCraven into the most discussed young musician on a Chicago jazz scene teeming with fresh energy.”
Oct 10, 2025
University Musical Society
Ann Arbor, MI · Michigan Theater
5. School Day Performance for Grades 4-12: Ballet BC
Vancouver’s Ballet BC has been a leader in the Canadian contemporary dance scene for nearly 40 years, pushing the physical and emotional boundaries of the genre. Their meticulous performances, unmatched for precision, innovation, and inspiring beauty, will be on display, so please join us for their UMS performance debut.
Oct 17, 2025
University Musical Society
Ann Arbor, MI · University Musical Society
6. Ballet BC
Led by French choreographer and Nederlands Dans Theater veteran Medhi Walerski, Vancouver’s Ballet BC has been a leader in the Canadian contemporary dance scene for nearly 40 years, pushing the physical and emotional boundaries of the genre with performances that are “visually stunning and emotionally profound.” (PBS)
17 - 18 Oct, 2025
University Musical Society
Ann Arbor, MI · University Musical Society
7. Belcea Quartet
Their program includes Mozart’s String Quartet No. 19, the last in a series of six sophisticated quartets that he composed over three years (1782-85) and dedicated to Franz Joseph Haydn, universally recognized as the “father” of the string quartet. Beethoven’s last quartet — and the last major work he completed — closes the program.
Oct 19, 2025
University Musical Society
Ann Arbor, MI · University of Michigan
8. Philharmonia Orchestra, London with Víkingur Ólafsson, piano
London’s Philharmonia Orchestra returns to Hill Auditorium, with both the exciting young Finnish conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson making their UMS debuts.
Oct 24, 2025
University Musical Society
Ann Arbor, MI · University of Michigan
9. An Evening with Herbie Hancock
One of the most celebrated artists in American history, the brilliant and always innovative Herbie Hancock returns to Hill Auditorium in a limited tour that promises to bring his signature mix of freewheeling, thought-provoking, and mind-expanding jazz and funk. A true icon of modern music, Hancock has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice, and there are few artists in the music industry who have had more influence on acoustic and electronic jazz and R&B.
Oct 25, 2025
University Musical Society
Ann Arbor, MI · University of Michigan
10. Performance Imani Winds & Andy Akiho, steel drum The BeLonging Project
The Imani Winds have led both a revolution and an evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations, and engagement endeavors, which inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds. This collaboration features composer and percussionist Andy Akiho, a trailblazing Pulitzer Prize finalist and five-time Grammy-nominated composer whose bold works unravel intricate and unexpected patterns while surpassing preconceived boundaries of Western classical music.
Oct 26, 2025
University Musical Society
Ann Arbor, MI · University of Michigan
Conclusion
As the UMS season unfolds, audiences are invited to engage with a rich tapestry of performances that celebrate the diversity and depth of artistic expression. From stirring choral works to innovative jazz and everything in between, these events offer not only a reflection of the artists' talents but also an exploration of new cultural landscapes. Whether seasoned concert-goers or first-time attendees, visitors can expect to be moved, inspired, and perhaps even transformed by the experiences awaiting them at UMS.
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