Composer

Join us for an enchanting evening of violin mastery as Kailyn Brown takes the stage on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 8:30pm CDT in the McClintock Choral and Recital Room. This Bachelor of Music student, under the tutelage of Blair Milton, will present a captivating recital featuring the talents of Dominic Doutney on piano. The program promises a journey through the evolution of music with Edward W. Hardy's "Evolution: Inspired by the Evolution of Black Music," the emotional depth of Ludwig van Beethoven's Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23, the exotic allure of Cyril Scott's "Lotus Land" arranged by Fritz Kreisler, and the rich cultural tapestry of William Grant Still's Suite for Violin and Piano.

This event is a highlight of the Northwestern Bienen School of Music's vibrant student recital series, showcasing the exceptional talent and hard work of its students. Admission is free, and no tickets are required, making it an accessible opportunity for all music lovers. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream will be available, ensuring no one misses out on this musical feast.

The recital will take place in the David and Carol McClintock Choral and Recital Room, located at 70 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, within the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center for the Musical Arts. This intimate venue, seating 120, offers the perfect setting for an evening of musical excellence and innovation.

Don't miss this opportunity to support emerging talent and experience the transformative power of music.

Kailyn Brown, violin

Ryan Center for the Musical Arts

Join us for an evening of inspiration and musical excellence as the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra & Chorus presents "Visions of Hope" at the Greenfield High School Auditorium. This special concert, marking the close of our 85th season, will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

"Visions of Hope" features an uplifting program celebrating a hopeful and just future through the works of three renowned 20th-century African American composers. The evening will showcase William Grant Still's Symphony No. 2 "Song of a New Race," Margaret Bonds' "Credo" with the PVS Chorus, and selections from Mary D. Watkins' "Dark River: The Fannie Lou Hamer Story," also performed by the PVS Chorus. These pieces collectively explore themes of justice, racial equality, and the African American experience, blending elements of classical Western orchestration with blues, jazz, and gospel.

The concert will feature the talents of soprano Brianna J. Robinson, baritone Nicholas Lagesse, and will be conducted by Tianhui Ng and Dr. Allegra Martin. The evening will also include a pre-concert talk at 6:00 PM by PVS' resident musicologist, Dr. David Schneider, offering deeper insights into the program's historical and cultural context.

In our commitment to making the joy of music accessible to all, tickets for "Visions of Hope" are offered on a sliding scale from $15 to $35, with a suggested price of $25. Special pricing is available for youth, college students, and holders of WIC and EBT cards through the Mass Cultural Council's Card for Culture program.

Don't miss this powerful celebration of hope, justice, and the transformative power of music. Reserve your seats today and be part of a memorable night that promises not only to entertain but to inspire.

Visions of Hope

Greenfield High School

We conclude the 23-24 season with a concert celebrating national voices at home and abroad with distinctly French, American, and Finnish music, examples of musical masters of their respective countries.

EPSG:4326

National Pride

University of Redlands

Join us for an enchanting afternoon with the Bienen Philharmonia at Northwestern University's prestigious Pick-Staiger Concert Hall on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at 3:00pm CDT. Under the baton of graduate conductor Diego Hernandez, alongside graduate assistant conductors Giang Vo and Jason Gluck, the Philharmonia will present a captivating program featuring a blend of classical masterpieces and American compositions.

The concert will open with Leroy Anderson's playful "Fiddle-Faddle," followed by Antonín Dvořák's lush "Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22." The program will then move to the American landscape with Aaron Copland's spirited "Hoe-Down" from Rodeo, and William Grant Still's profound "Symphony No. 1 in A-flat Major," also known as the Afro-American Symphony. The afternoon will conclude with Dvořák's monumental "Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95," famously known as "From the New World."

Tickets are affordably priced at $6 for the general public and $4 for students with a valid ID, making this event accessible to all who wish to enjoy an afternoon of exquisite music. The Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, located at 50 Arts Cir Dr, Evanston, IL 60208, offers a state-of-the-art acoustic experience within its 972-seat venue, situated in the heart of Northwestern University's Arts Circle.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the vibrant talent of the Bienen School of Music's Philharmonia. Secure your tickets now and be part of a musical journey that promises to be both inspiring and memorable.

Philharmonia

Northwestern University

Experience a fresh take on an American classic. Béla Fleck, “arguably the greatest living banjo player in the world” (NPR), marks the centennial of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with a dazzling new banjo transcription of this beloved showpiece. Conductor Brett Mitchell rounds out this all-American evening with orchestral gems by Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, and William Grant Still.

Rhapsody in Blue

Blossom Music Center

Join us for a captivating evening as the Des Moines Symphony presents "Lewis Plays Brahms," featuring the talented Geneva Lewis in her Des Moines debut. This remarkable concert will take place at the Des Moines Civic Center with performances on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 7:30 PM, and a matinee on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 2:30 PM.

Geneva Lewis will grace the stage with her virtuosic rendition of Brahms’ emotionally profound Violin Concerto, a piece celebrated for its technical demands and deep musicality. The evening will commence with Still’s Serenade, a piece that masterfully intertwines lush harmonies of American jazz and blues with classical traditions, setting the stage for an unforgettable musical journey. The orchestra will also shine under the baton of Maestro Joseph Giunta during Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5, a work renowned for its majestic beauty and compelling melodies.

Maestro Joseph Giunta, one of America’s most distinguished and dynamic conductors, will lead the orchestra through this enchanting program. Known for his innovative programming and compelling interpretations, Maestro Giunta's musical depth and boundless energy promise an evening of exceptional performances.

Ticket prices range from $20 to $80, with a special half-price offer for students, making this event accessible to all who wish to experience the transformative power of music. The concert's duration is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, ensuring an evening filled with beautiful music and memorable moments.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness Geneva Lewis's Des Moines debut and enjoy an evening of exquisite music with the Des Moines Symphony. Secure your tickets now for "Lewis Plays Brahms" and be part of a musical experience that will resonate long after the final note has been played.

Lewis Plays Brahms

Des Moines Civic Center

As a performer and composer, saxophonist Steven Banks (b. 1993) is striving to bring his instrument to the heart of the classical music world. He is driven to program and write music that directly addresses aspects of the human experience and is an active and intentional supporter of diverse voices in the future of concert music. Rick Perdian of Seen and Heard International has said “one senses that Banks has the potential to be one of the transformational musicians of the twenty-first century.” 

Rhapsody In Blue @ 100

Miller Symphony Hall

Experience the unparalleled artistry of Yuja Wang as she makes a triumphant return to the stage with The Philadelphia Orchestra, under the baton of the esteemed conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin. This not-to-be-missed series of performances is scheduled for January 2025, with shows on Thursday the 16th at 7:30 PM, Friday the 17th at 8:00 PM, and Saturday the 18th at 8:00 PM, all taking place in the prestigious Verizon Hall.

The program promises an evening of emotional depth and breathtaking virtuosity, opening with Margaret Bonds's "The Montgomery Variations," a poignant tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., inspired by Bonds's visit to Montgomery, Alabama. This piece, rooted in the spiritual "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me," reflects Bonds's commitment to social and racial justice.

The highlight of the evening will be Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring Yuja Wang's extraordinary technique and interpretive depth. Wang's previous sold-out performances have been met with critical acclaim, her artistry described with superlatives such as "breathtaking," "charismatic," and "flawless."

Completing the program is William Grant Still's Symphony No. 2 "Song of a New Race," a lyrical masterpiece that showcases the legendary strings of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Premiered by the orchestra in 1937, this work continues to resonate as a testament to Still's vision and the orchestra's rich history.

These performances are available as part of the 2024-25 Subscription Package, offering magnificent programming and exclusive subscriber benefits. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the synergy of Yuja Wang's piano brilliance with the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra in an unforgettable musical journey.

Yuja Wang Returns

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Paul Huang, who left TSO audiences spellbound in 2022, returns to perform Dvořák’s Violin Concerto, originally written for the composer’s friend, violinist Joseph Joachim. The concerto is accompanied by two of Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances. Written originally for piano duo while he was still relatively unknown, it was these dances that helped Dvořák achieve notoriety. Dvořák came to the U.S. later in life and wrote the New World Symphony, inspired by African-American spirituals. The concert’s second half features works by American composers with very different backgrounds: a TSO co-commissioned work by Arizona-born Raven Chacon, a 2023 MacArthur Genuis Grant awardee, and Still’s Symphony No. 1, known as the “Afro-American.” Chacon, a member of the Navajo nation, draws on relationships between the western and indigenous communities while Still drew from popular African-American music.

William Grant Still

Composer

Events

May 10, 2024

Kailyn Brown, violin · Northwestern Bienen School of Music

May 11, 2024

Visions of Hope · Pioneer Valley Symphony

May 11, 2024

National Pride · Redlands Symphony

May 12, 2024

Philharmonia · Northwestern Bienen School of Music

Jul 6, 2024

Rhapsody in Blue · The Cleveland Orchestra

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