Together, the programs bring high school, college-aged, and early-career musicians to Appleton for intensive training with 麻豆影院 faculty and guest artists while offering the community opportunities to hear rising young performers in concert.听

New this summer is a Classical Voice track within the 麻豆影院 Summer Music Institute, joining the Piano & Strings program, now in its fourth year. The institute will bring 37 high school musicians from 12 states to campus for chamber rehearsals, private lessons, coaching, workshops, and performance preparation.听

The 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival will bring 40 pre-professional musicians from 19 states and three countries to Appleton for two weeks of advanced chamber music study, collaboration, and public performances. Five current 麻豆影院 students and five 麻豆影院 alumni are among this year鈥檚 festival participants.听

鈥淲e are continuing to expand summer music programming here at 麻豆影院, and we are particularly excited to be creating unique opportunities for high schoolers, current 麻豆影院 students, and recent alumni,鈥� said Michael Mizrahi, the Frank C. Shattuck Professor of Piano and faculty member for the 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival. 鈥淭hese programs allow us to deepen the ties between 麻豆影院 and Appleton while offering a unique, high-quality musical experience for the young artists participating. These programs are another way in which 麻豆影院 augments its national profile as a leader in music performance and education.鈥澨�

The summer programming also connects directly with Appleton鈥檚 broader arts community. 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival participants will collaborate with visiting musicians during Mile of Music, the all-original music festival held in downtown Appleton July 30鈥揂ug. 2. The young musicians will create original arrangements and compositions and perform 50-minute sets at 麻豆影院 and downtown venues.听

麻豆影院 will also host multiple Mile of Music venues on campus and support Music Education Team programming led by 麻豆影院 faculty, students, and alumni.听

One featured community event is Music in Motion, an interactive concert for adults and children ages 5 and older presented by Play Out, the 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival, and Mile of Music. Hosted by Caitlin Sullivan, the program celebrates music inspired by movement鈥攆rom grooves, dances, strolls, and swings to a musical interpretation of Sir Isaac Newton鈥檚 laws of motion. The performance will include video art by Jorge Carvajal and live drawing projections by Caroline Chu.听

The programs also provide professional experience for current 麻豆影院 students. 麻豆影院 Summer Music Programs offer three internships in arts administration, giving students hands-on experience in marketing, artist relations, event production, and audience engagement. The internships complement 尝补飞谤别苍肠别鈥檚 new Business and Entrepreneurship major鈥攊ncluding its arts entrepreneurship track鈥攂y connecting classroom learning with professional practice.听

麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival performances include:听

鈼� 7 p.m. Monday, July 20听鈥� Gibson Community Music Hall听

鈼� 7 p.m. Friday, July 24听鈥� 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

鈼� 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25听鈥� 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival Young Artists Concert No. 1, 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

鈼� 1 p.m. Sunday, July 26听鈥� 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival Young Artists Concert No. 2, 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

During Mile of Music, 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival participants will collaborate with visiting musicians to create original arrangements and compositions. Performances include:听

鈼� 11 a.m. Thursday, July 30听鈥� Mile of Music kickoff featuring the 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival, 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

鈼� 9 a.m. Friday, July 31听鈥� Music in Motion: An Interactive Concert for Adults and Children Ages 5 and Up听

鈼� 11 a.m. Friday, July 31听鈥� Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 1, Hilton Paper Valley Ballroom, featuring Ruby Mac听

鈼� 2 p.m. Friday, July 31听鈥� Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 2, Riverview Gardens, featuring Buddy Red听

鈼� 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1听鈥� Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 3, Copper Rock Coffee Co., featuring Ron Artis II听

鈼� 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1听鈥� Mile of Music LCMF Young Artist Showcase No. 4, Appleton Public Library, featuring Kate Stenson 鈥�24 & Gold Standard听

Faculty for the 麻豆影院 Summer Music Institute includes Samantha George, violin; Wen-Lei Gu, violin; Jenny Kozoroz, viola; Kivie Cahn-Lipman, cello; Mark Urness, double bass; Anthony Padilla, piano; and Michael Mizrahi, piano.听

麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival faculty includes Tim Albright, trombone; Michael Clayville, trombone; Andy Hudson, clarinet; Erin Lesser, flute; Brigit Pacher, bassoon; Joe Connor, saxophone; and Jean Carlo Ure帽a Gonz谩lez, percussion. Guest faculty include Brandon Ridenour, trumpet; Caitlin Sullivan, cello; Teagan Faran, violin/viola; Ben Russell, violin; and Leo Sussman 鈥�15, flute.听

About 麻豆影院 University听 麻豆影院 University is a liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Appleton, Wisconsin. Its world-renowned Conservatory of Music offers rigorous training in performance, composition, music education, and related fields while connecting students with a broad liberal arts education.听

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra听

Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 | 2:30 p.m.听 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra opens the season with a performance showcasing one of the nation鈥檚 premier orchestras and Wisconsin鈥檚 largest cultural institution.听

Since its founding in 1959, the MSO has built a national reputation for artistic excellence, innovative programming, and community engagement. The orchestra鈥檚 72 full-time professional musicians perform more than 125 concerts each season throughout Wisconsin, spanning classical, pops, family, education, and community performances.听

The MSO has presented world and American premieres by leading contemporary composers including John Adams, Philip Glass, and Roberto Sierra, while also becoming the first American orchestra to offer live recordings on iTunes. Beyond the concert hall, the orchestra reaches thousands of young people and families annually through its education and outreach initiatives.听

Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend听

November 6 鈥� 7, 2026听

Christie Dashiell听

Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.听 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

Kicking off the Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend, GRAMMY-nominated vocalist, composer, and educator Christie Dashiell brings her distinctive blend of jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel, and soul to 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel as part of the Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in North Carolina, Dashiell is known for her improvisational artistry and rich vocal tone. A graduate of Howard University and the Manhattan School of Music, she first gained national attention performing with Howard University鈥檚 acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble Afro-Blue, which appeared on NBC鈥檚 The Sing-Off. Her sophomore album, Journey In Black, earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album and was praised by DownBeat Magazine as a 鈥渕asterpiece.鈥� The recording explores themes of freedom, legacy, grief, and joy while drawing from multiple traditions within Black American music.听

Billy Childs Jazz Chamber Ensemble听

Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.听 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

The Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend continues with the Billy Childs Jazz Chamber Ensemble. Pianist and composer Billy Childs is recognized as one of the foremost American composers of his generation, seamlessly blending jazz traditions with contemporary classical influences. Throughout his career, Childs has received 17 GRAMMY nominations and six GRAMMY Awards, including Best Instrumental Jazz Album honors for Winds of Change and Rebirth. Childs has also received a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, and honors from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His work as a composer, performer, and arts advocate has established him as one of the most influential voices in contemporary jazz.听

Kings Return听

Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027 | 7:30 p.m.听 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

Acclaimed vocal quartet Kings Return will bring its genre-blending a cappella sound to 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel. The Dallas-based ensemble first gained widespread attention through viral stairwell performance videos showcasing their lush harmonies and effortless blend. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Take 6 and Boyz II Men, Kings Return incorporates elements of R&B, jazz, gospel, pop, and classical music into its performances. Comprised of Vaughn Faison, Gabe Kunda, JE McKissic, and Jamall Williams, the quartet has built an international following through both live performances and online audiences captivated by the group鈥檚 rich vocal textures and musical versatility.听

Dreamers鈥� Circus听

Monday, April 5, 2027 | 8 p.m.听 Stansbury Theatre听

Dreamers鈥� Circus, one of the Nordic region鈥檚 most acclaimed contemporary folk ensembles, will perform at Stansbury Theatre. Blending Nordic folk traditions with classical lyricism, jazz improvisation, and pop influences, the Copenhagen-based trio has earned international recognition for its adventurous and genre-defying sound. The ensemble features Nikolaj Busk on piano and accordion, Rune Tonsgaard S酶rensen on violin, and Ale Carr on cittern. Since its formation, Dreamers鈥� Circus has released seven albums, toured internationally, and received major honors from the Danish Arts Foundation. Their latest album, Handed On, reflects on musical heritage while showcasing the trio鈥檚 inventive and dynamic approach to acoustic music.听

The Westerlies听

Friday, April 30, 2027 | 7:30 p.m.听 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel听

The season concludes with a performance by The Westerlies, the GRAMMY-nominated brass quartet praised for blending jazz, classical, and folk traditions. Described by The New York Times as 鈥渁n arty quartet鈥ixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk,鈥� The Westerlies have performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Coachella while redefining expectations for brass chamber music. The ensemble, Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands on trumpet and Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon on trombone, has released 10 critically acclaimed albums and collaborated with artists including Caroline Shaw, Bill Frisell, and Nico Muhly. This performance is also part of 麻豆影院 University鈥檚 New Music Series.听

Fearless Empathy: Bringing the Story of Ruth Coker Burks to the Opera Stage

(2-minute Video) Copeland Woodruff, the Mary and Michael Jaharis Director of Opera Studies, and Kristin Roach, Assistant Professor of Music and conductor of the performances, share what makes this production special.听

Blending lyrical intensity with intimate storytelling, A Nearer Mother听explores compassion, chosen family, and moral courage in a time of national fear and silence.听

鈥淲e wanted to write a piece that centers around allyship,鈥� said composer Evan Mack. 鈥淩uth Coker Burks represents the kind of clarity that cuts through fear. This work is not just about the AIDS crisis鈥攊t鈥檚 about what it means to show up for another human being when the world turns away.鈥�

McGuire added, 鈥淩uth鈥檚 story forces us to look within. Given the same stakes she faced, the same fears present in the face of that crisis鈥斕齱e can ask, would we step up to help? I like to think the opera helps people dig deep and find that little voice that says 鈥�I can鈥�,听no matter what they鈥檙e facing.鈥�

The world premiere of A Nearer Mother reflects 麻豆影院 University鈥檚 commitment to presenting new works that engage contemporary social themes while fostering meaningful artistic dialogue between artists, students, and the wider community.听

鈥淐ommissioning this opera is a true gift for the community,鈥� said Copeland Woodruff, the Mary and Michael Jaharis Director of Opera Studies at 麻豆影院. The process is in its fourth year, so many students over those years were able to interact personally with the development of the work and to learn about hidden and erased histories in the LGBTQIA+ community. In a time when we are witnessing minorities face hardship, erasure, and violence, Ruth鈥檚 story gives us all an example of allyship through action and fearless empathy.鈥�

Kristin Roach, Assistant Professor of Music and conductor of the performances, noted, 鈥淪ometimes artists wonder if their performing makes a difference to the wider world. Working on this opera has affirmed that, indeed, storytelling through opera performance is a current, vibrant, and necessary tool for building a world we are proud to live in.鈥�

The evening also will feature The Clever Artifice of Harriet & Margaret, a one-act chamber opera with music and libretto by Leanna Kirchoff. Adapted from Alice Gerstenberg鈥檚 1913 play, Overtones,听the opera explores themes of rivalry, love, and societal roles among women.听 Kirchoff will attend the March 6 performance and participate in the post-production talkback.

Tickets are available now at .

Related Community Events听

In partnership with local organizations, 麻豆影院 will host additional free public events during the week following the performances:

Monday, March 9 | 7:00-9:00 p.m. The Velvet Fox 501 N. Richmond St., Appleton, WI 鈥淪haring Histories and Perspectives:鈥澨�An intergenerational LGBTQ+ event, co-sponsored with Diverse & Resilient.听

Tuesday, March 10 | 6:30-8:00 p.m. Appleton Public Library 200 N. Appleton St., Appleton, WI 鈥淎llyship in Action,鈥� co-sponsored by Celebrate Diversity Fox Cities and Fox Cities PAC.听

These events extend the opera鈥檚 themes of allyship, remembrance, and community dialogue beyond the stage and into the broader Fox Cities community.听

Land of Winter has been praised on 鈥淏est of 2025鈥� lists by The New York Times, Boston Globe, and Gramophone as well as in reviews by The Washington Post, National Public Radio and other notable news organizations.听

Michael Clayville, instructor of music in entrepreneurial studies and social engagement at 麻豆影院, is one of the founding members of Alarm Will Sound, a contemporary chamber orchestra led by Artistic Director and Conductor Alan Pierson. A trombone player, Clayville met some of the group鈥檚 founding musicians while a student at Eastman School of Music. The experience, he said, reflects the importance of a shared journey with fellow music students that he now encourages through his courses at 麻豆影院 University.听

Erin Lesser, who is married to Clayville, joined Alarm Will Sound as a flute player more than a decade ago. An accomplished soloist and chamber musician, Lesser has been a professor of flute at 麻豆影院 since 2011, where she prepares students for the contemporary music landscape, including work by living composers such as Dennehy, and using music to engage with pressing issues.听听

For both 麻豆影院 professors, their experiences as practicing musicians, and now GRAMMY award winners, show up in their teaching and in their classrooms.听听

The 麻豆影院 University Conservatory of Music offers four degree options and 28 areas of study with an emphasis on preparing students for the evolving world of music. For more information on programs available in the Conservatory of Music or in 尝补飞谤别苍肠别鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences, contact the Office of Admissions at鈥�admissions@lawrence.edu鈥痮r 920.832.6652.听

Roach credits the entire team for the recognition.

鈥淎ny recognition of one member of an opera production belongs to the whole team,鈥� said Roach. 鈥淢ore than 100 Lawrentians worked on our production of one-act operas, onstage and backstage and in the pit and behind the scenes.鈥澨�

The 2024 production of Cendrillon at 麻豆影院 was paired with Alice Tierney, a piece by Melissa Dunphy and Jacqueline Goldfinger, to celebrate the contributions of women in the opera world.听

鈥淲e are always sharing resources between the two shows and really trying to present both these operas written by women,鈥� Roach said. 鈥淭rying to bring forward creators who might be underrepresented in the opera field is at the forefront of the opera program鈥檚 mission.鈥�

Meanwhile, Two Remain is based on the true stories of two Holocaust survivors, Krystyna Zywulska and Gad Beck.

Roach said one of the most powerful aspects of the theater is its ability to keep history alive by wrestling with challenging themes and stories.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so important that we continue to tell these stories through works in the theater,鈥� Roach said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that we don鈥檛 lose the narrative, the truth behind what happened. Part of why we鈥檝e chosen to perform an excerpt of this work at LU this coming year is that our students are able to tell these important stories, keeping history alive and in the forefront.鈥�

The 麻豆影院 Opera Theatre program plans to perform a portion of Two Remain in their fall scenes program this year.

Looking ahead, Roach is excited by the upcoming season, which includes the world premiere of a new opera, A Nearer Mother, by composer Evan Mack and librettist Joshua McGuire. The piece was commissioned by Copeland Woodruff, director of opera studies at 麻豆影院, and the 麻豆影院 Opera Theatre program. For the past three years, Woodruff has worked closely with the creative team to bring the opera to life.

A Nearer Mother explores the story of AIDS activist Ruth Coker Burks, known as the 鈥淐emetery Angel,鈥� and her daughter Allison. Burks and her daughter will be in attendance at the March 2026 performance, which will be paired with the one-act opera A Clever Artifice of Harriet and Margaret, by composer Leanna Kirchhoff.听

鈥淚 am so excited about doing a brand-new piece; we will be working hand-in-hand with the creators of these works,鈥� Roach said. 鈥淲orking on this opera will continue to tell the story of the many important, wonderful people that we lost in the early years of the AIDS epidemic.鈥澨�

These latest honors are a testament to the talent and commitment of 麻豆影院 Opera Theatre. 麻豆影院 has received 11 awards in The American Prize, including two special judges鈥� citations and two productions tied for first place. Roach has won the prize in Conducting, College/University division, for Suor Angelica and the prize in Conducting both in Professional and College/University divisions. Woodruff has won the Charles Nelson Reilly Prize in Directing and was the first stage director to be given The Independence Day, Honored Artists Award for Sustained Excellence. 麻豆影院 is also in the National Finals of The American Prize for Best Production for Cendrillon/Alice Tierney, and Copeland Woodruff is once again up for the Charles Nelson Reilly Prize in Directing.听

Save the dates for this season鈥檚 performances:

• Fall Opera Scenes: Thursday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m. in 麻豆影院 Memorial Chapel. Free Admission.

• Mainstage Opera: The Clever Artifice of Harriet and Margaret and A Nearer Mother (world premiere): Thursday, March 5-Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. & Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m. in Stansbury Theatre.

• Spring Opera Scenes: Thursday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Stansbury Theatre. Free admission.

Update: Nov. 17, 2025

The 2024 麻豆影院 Opera Theatre production of Viardot’s Cendrillon and Melissa Dunphy’s Alice Tierney were also awarded third place in the American Prize competition for Opera Performance in the college/university division!听

The Music Education Team (MET)鈥攊ncluding 麻豆影院 Conservatory faculty, students, and alumni鈥攑resented 40 hands-on music-making workshops during the festival for people of all ages. Participants were able to experience everything听from bachata dance to Irish fiddle music, the blues harmonica to the didjeridu.

The 麻豆影院 Chamber Music Festival returned this year, allowing advanced instrumentalists the opportunity to collaborate and perform alongside Mile of Music artists. This year, there were 43 students from 20 U.S. state, plus international students, working with 麻豆影院 faculty and several guest artists. The four Mile of Music collaborators鈥擝ODHI, Natural Satellite, PEGASIS, and Whitney Mong茅鈥攔epresented several musical genres and geographic regions.

麻豆影院 venues drew thousands of festival-goers to campus for performances on the 麻豆影院 Lawn Main Stage鈥攍ocated in front of Ormsby Hall鈥擬emorial Chapel, and Harper Hall.听

麻豆影院 alumni Michael Murphy 鈥�23 and Kate Stenson 鈥�24 were among the festival performers. Murphy played two sets, accompanied by 麻豆影院 alumnus Ryan Erdmann 鈥�22. Stenson performed two sets alongside Jennifer Harlee, a member of her band Wine on Fridays (W.O.F.).听

麻豆影院 photographers captured the music-making in action. See a sampling above and . More photos will be added soon!听

Fittingly, among Surtees鈥檚 favorite moments are both the dramatic midpoint and the exhilarating coda. Although he identifies the movement as the hardest piano work he鈥檚 yet tackled, the difficulties arise from unexpected details.听

鈥淭he thing that makes [the coda] so hard is actually the dynamic鈥攊t鈥檚 piano,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f it was forte, it could sync much more with the keys and fit the hand better. But I remember being so satisfied when I first played through it, thinking, 鈥榃ow, I actually did it.鈥欌�澨�

Although Chopin is now the centerpiece of Surtees鈥檚 repertoire, his interest in the composer鈥檚 music developed gradually. Born and raised in Bardstown, Kentucky, Surtees began piano lessons in his hometown before transitioning to more advanced studies with Dr. Wesley Roberts at Campbellsville University. With his eye on 麻豆影院, Surtees began audition preparations鈥攊t was only at this point that his interest in Chopin came into focus.听

鈥淚 was already into Chopin when I auditioned,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut it was Ballade No. 1 that sealed the deal. It just put him in a league of his own.鈥澨�

Read about LSO Concerto Competition co-winner Ben Frueh

At 麻豆影院, Surtees has found space to foster that connection. Under the mentorship of Michael Mizrahi, the Frank C. Shattuck Professor of Music, his curriculum has been tailored to emphasize Romantic repertoire, particularly Chopin. Even as he explores new terrain鈥攈is current fascination is Enrique Granados鈥檚 Goyescas鈥擟hopin remains a guiding force.听

鈥淭here鈥檚 a freedom and emotional honesty in his music that鈥檚 rare,鈥� Surtees said. 鈥淲ith Chopin, the music speaks for itself.鈥澨�

Surtees plans to perform the full Goyescas suite for his senior recital, but his long-term goals are still Chopin-focused.听

鈥淚 think my biggest Chopin project goal would be to learn all three of his piano sonatas,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he third is a masterpiece. … It’s pristine and chaotic at the same time. And the first, people give it a bad rap, but it鈥檚 a beautiful piece.鈥澨�

For now, though, Surtees is focused on one thing: stepping onto the Memorial Chapel stage and sharing a piece of music that has shaped who he is.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a dream to learn this concerto,鈥� he said. 鈥淕etting to perform it鈥攅specially with an orchestra鈥攊s something I never thought I鈥檇 do until much later. That鈥檚 what makes it so special.鈥�

Medusa, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3, 2025, Harper Hall: With their Canadian Folk Music Award (CFMA)-nominated debut album, Medusa鈥檚 dynamic arrangement style cross-pollinates the sounds of Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, Celtic, Appalachian, and Eastern European music, as well as original tunes, to create something previously unheard. Medusa is Georgia Hathaway, Lea Kirstein, Marta So艂ek, and Saskia Tomkins. For these four seasoned string players, whose collective experience as side players in successful bands spans decades, Medusa is a refuge for natural creation.听

Harlem Quartet, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 2025, Harper Hall: Grammy-winning听Harlem Quartet, featuring听Ilmar Gavil谩n,听Melissa White,听Jaime Amador, and听Felix Umansky, has earned acclaim for its dynamic performances and fresh approach to classical music. The New York Times praised their 鈥減anache,鈥� while the Cincinnati Enquirer lauded their 鈥渘ew attitude to classical music.鈥� They are most well-known for their innovative programming, both through their own work and collaborations, which seamlessly mixes classical repertoire with jazz, and Latin, as well as contemporary works by composers from underrepresented backgrounds, championing diversity in classical music.听

尝耻肠铆补, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7, 2025, Memorial Chapel: Three years ago, singer 尝耻肠铆补 was a finalist at the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, and the first Mexican artist to enter the contest. When it came time to select the song that she would perform in the final round, she picked a standard that reflected her musical sensibility, colored in equal parts by the beauty of jazz and the Latin American songbook. 鈥淲e played 鈥榃hat a Difference a Day Makes,鈥� which was popularized by Dinah Washington, but in its initial incarnation was a bolero written in Spanish by Mar铆a Grever,鈥� she says from her home in New York City. 鈥淲e started it as a jazz ballad in English, then switched to Spanish and added some zapateado dancing.鈥澨� 鈥淲hat a Difference a Day Makes鈥� is now the opening cut of the self-titled 尝耻肠铆补, an exquisite debut album that showcases the luminous qualities of her voice, and her superb technique and versatility.

Ari Hoenig, jazz drummer, with the 麻豆影院 University Jazz Ensemble and 麻豆影院 jazz faculty, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8, 2025, Memorial Chapel: Ari Hoenig is a jazz drummer, composer, and educator known for his unusual and intense approach to drumming emphasizing complex rhythms in direct harmony with other group members. Hoenig is widely noted particularly for his drumming not being relegated to just keeping tempo or being a side issue to the music he plays in, but rather for elevating drumming as an indispensable part of the performance. The LU Jazz Ensemble will be under the direction of Patty Darling 鈥�85.

Nomfusi, 8 p.m. Feb. 2, 2026, Harper Hall: The soul of Mama Afrika meets the fire of Motown and Soul鈥攊n a pint-sized packet of dynamite. After a mere six years in the industry, and with over 20 international tours under her belt, Nomfusi has become one of South Africa鈥檚 most sought-after performers worldwide. Indeed, there is nothing small about the songstress with the gigantic voice and tons of charm. With sheer will and determination, she has risen from the squalor of South African squatter camps to some of the finest stages of the world.听

Marc Ribot Quartet: Hurry Red Telephone, 7:30 p.m.听Feb. 21, 2026, Memorial Chapel: Marc Ribot (pronounced REE-bow) was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1954. After moving to New York City in 1978, Ribot was a member of the soul/punk Realtones, and from 1984 to 1989, of John Lurie’s Lounge Lizards. Between 1979 and 1985, Ribot also worked as a side musician with Brother Jack McDuff, Wilson Pickett, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Chuck Berry, and many others. Ribot鈥檚 Spiritual Unity worked together for several years in the early 00s, continuing their Albert Ayler-tinged trajectory as听Grimes Taylor听Ribot听Trio after the death of trumpet player Roy Campbell Jr, and until Grimes鈥� failing health forced an end to their performances in 2018. 鈥淭hose gigs with Henry were the best music I鈥檝e ever played on… or heard鈥�,鈥� said Ribot听of their last run of Trio gigs.听Ribot听and drummer Chad Taylor had been looking for a format to continue this work.听With Hurry Red Telephone, they鈥檝e found it.听

Zoie Reams 鈥�14, mezzo-soprano, 7:30 p.m. April 10, 2026, Memorial Chapel: American mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams, a 麻豆影院 University Class of 2014 alumna, has been lauded by Opera News听for her 鈥渧elvety mezzo鈥� and for how she 鈥減hrase[s] with elegance and articulate[s] coloratura nimbly.鈥� She returns to her alma mater for a much-anticipated performance.

Lone Pi帽on, 8 p.m. April 13, 2026, Harper Hall: Lone Pi帽on is a New Mexican string band, or 鈥渙rquesta t铆pica,鈥� whose music celebrates the integrity and diversity of their region’s cultural roots. With fiddles, upright bass, guitars, accordions, vihuela, and bilingual vocals, they play a wide spectrum of the traditional music that is at home in New Mexico.

Andy Akiho & Imani Winds, 7:30 p.m., April 17, 2026, Memorial Chapel: Andy Akiho听is a Grammy-nominated and Pulitzer Prize finalist composer whose bold works unravel intricate and unexpected patterns while surpassing preconceived boundaries of classical music. He is an in-demand composer who has earned international acclaim for his large-scale works that emphasize the natural theatricality of live performance.听The Grammy Award-winning Imani Winds听is celebrating a quarter century of music making. The group has led a revolution and evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations, and outreach endeavors. This collaboration will include Akiho鈥檚听BeLoud, BeLoved, BeLonging, a powerful piece commissioned by Imani Winds.

ARTEMIS featuring Renee Rosnes, Ingrid Jenson, Nicole Glover, Noriko Ueda & Allison Miller, 7:30 p.m. May 15, 2026, Memorial Chapel: Founded by pianist and composer Renee Rosnes, ARTEMIS is a powerful ensemble of instrumental听virtuosos. Along with Rosnes, the quintet consists of听trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, saxophonist Nicole Glover, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller. Performances across听North America and Europe at major venues and festivals have garnered high praise from audiences and critics alike.听

尝补飞谤别苍肠别鈥檚 has now brought home DownBeat Awards 34 times over the past four-plus decades.听This is the second time in three years the program has won two awards in the same year. Encarnaci贸n credits the students’ commitment to a wide range of music.

鈥淭he students we get here are smart, they鈥檙e curious, they like to explore,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o, we bring them different kinds of music, and they鈥檙e in, they鈥檙e engaged. For me, it鈥檚 seeing how they grow, how they engage with the art. That鈥檚 the reward.鈥�

The work of faculty across the Conservatory, Encarnaci贸n added, is a collective effort that shows up in the stellar performances of music students both individually and in ensembles.听

鈥淭he DownBeat Awards speak to the talent, teamwork, and collegiality that makes the Conservatory thrive,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is an honor and an inspiration to work with everyone involved in this process. Winning two awards in the same year again demonstrates enormous program depth.鈥�

For Encarnaci贸n鈥檚 contest entry in the Latin Group category, he submitted three charts from a performance during the 2024 Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration. Students were studying a different musical genre that included Afro-Cuban and Venezuelan rhythms.听

鈥淭hese are very challenging to play, especially for the rhythm section,鈥� he said.听

For Darling鈥檚 Jazz Ensemble entry, she submitted three contemporary charts that听are challenging to play听and require excellent musicianship from every member of the ensemble. In addition, they call for significant improvisation.

鈥淚t is fun to work on compositions like this because improvisation is woven throughout the fabric of the music,听and it is rewarding for everyone to hear how it听all comes together,鈥� she said.

The awards speak to the high level of consistency that has been built into a jazz program with an impressive track record dating back to the 1970s. Now led by Encarnaci贸n, it is among the best undergraduate jazz programs in the country.