Performing Arts Series

Attend a screening of this acclaimed 2020 film starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, both nominated for Oscars for their respective roles. During a 1927 Chicago recording session, tensions and temperatures rise between Ma Rainey (Viola Davis), her ambitious horn player (Chadwick Boseman), and the white management determined to control the legendary “Mother of the Blues.” Directed by George C. Wolfe; based on Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson’s play.

Attend a screening of the acclaimed 2016 film starring Denzel Washington (Oscar nominee for this role) and Viola Davis (Oscar winner for this role). Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, the film adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play takes a passionate look at former baseball player Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) as he fights to provide for those he loves in a world that threatens to push him down. Denzel Washington also directed the film.

So Percussion has redefined chamber music through their commitment to the creation and amplification of new work. The ensemble is celebrated for a dazzling range of activities: live performances, contributions to education and community, and the creation of opportunities and platforms for music and artists. In their Middlebury debut, they’ll collaborate with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw, featuring songs and highlights from their latest co-composed album Rectangles and Circumstance. 

Jillian Meyers is an Emmy Nominated LA based Choreographer who has been an assistant to Brian Friedman, Tovaris Wilson, Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Gil Duldulao and Mandy Moore. She worked with Moore on the award winning film La La Land and both herself and Moore earned Emmy nominations for their work on the hit series Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Myers has been fortunate to work with leading musical acts such as The Lumineers, Vance Joy, Hozier, Janet Jackson, and more. Ultimately, Jillian loves to dance and is excited by any experience related to her passion.

Learn more about this concert’s music in a free pre-concert lecture by Professor Emeritus of Music Larry Hamberlin.

Celebrating its 30th season, the Jerusalem Quartet embodies the pinnacle of chamber music excellence, renowned worldwide for its passionate performances and impeccable precision. With a repertoire spanning the classical to contemporary, they captivate audiences with spellbinding interpretations, blending technical virtuosity with profound musical depth. The Jerusalem Quartet returns to Middlebury with a program of Haydn, Shostakovich, and Dvorák.

These trans-friendly movement workshops are suitable for terrified beginners through all-levels and are led by Sean Dorsey and Sean Dorsey Dance company dancers. These classes and workshops are designed to be supportive of transgender, trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming bodies and creative expression.

Open to public, but geared towards students, faculty, and staff.

Sean Dorsey is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer, dancer, writer, educator, and activist. Long recognized as the U.S.’ first acclaimed transgender modern dance choreographer, Dorsey brings his newest work—and his explicitly trans-positive pedagogy—for his Performing Arts Series debut. The Lost Art of Dreaming is a full-evening fusion of full-throttle dance, intimate storytelling, intricate costuming, and exquisite queer partnering, all performed with Sean Dorsey Dance’s signature technical precision, guts, and deep humanity.

These trans-friendly movement workshops are suitable for terrified beginners through all-levels and are led by Sean Dorsey and Sean Dorsey Dance company dancers. These classes and workshops are designed to be supportive of transgender, trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming bodies and creative expression.

This community class is free and open to anyone.

Sean Dorsey is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer, dancer, writer, educator, and activist. Long recognized as the U.S.’ first acclaimed transgender modern dance choreographer, Dorsey brings his newest work—and his explicitly trans-positive pedagogy—for his Performing Arts Series debut. The Lost Art of Dreaming is a full-evening fusion of full-throttle dance, intimate storytelling, intricate costuming, and exquisite queer partnering, all performed with Sean Dorsey Dance’s signature technical precision, guts, and deep humanity.

New York based, Canadian born musician Bria Skonberg stormed onto the jazz scene with her smoky vocals, blistering trumpet, and compelling compositions and arrangements. She’s been described as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” by the Wall Street Journal. Skonberg sold out our hall almost a decade ago, and returns to Middlebury just in time for the holidays with a new program entitled “Jingle Bell Swing,” featuring her take on seasonal favorites including her hit cover of “All I Want For Christmas is You.”

Choral Chameleon is a dynamic ensemble renowned for their innovative programming and fearless exploration of vocal artistry. Sometimes called “America’s Test Kitchen for choral music,” they fearlessly experiment and champion unexpected and new combinations of music. In demand since their recent sound bath and concert performances at Middlebury, Choral Chameleon returns to campus for a dynamic mixed-repertoire concert. See related event on January 22.

Choral Chameleon deepens their campus connection with an exciting mixed-repertoire concert performed alongside Middlebury students, featuring a new work written just for Middlebury by Founding Artistic Director Vince Peterson. From classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions and cross-disciplinary collaborations, Choral Chameleon’s rich harmonies and adventurous spirit redefine what it means to experience choral music today, captivating audiences with a kaleidoscope of musical experiences and setting a vibrant standard in the world of vocal ensembles.

Play by August Wilson, performed by The Acting Company, directed by Lili-Anne Brown. From the writer of The Piano Lesson, Fences, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom comes the story of Memphis Lee, a diner owner in Pittsburgh in 1969 who must decide if he should allow the government to take over his building or sell the property to a ruthless businessman.

Learn more about this concert’s music in a free pre-concert lecture by Professor Emeritus of Music Larry Hamberlin.

Acclaimed Jordanian-Palestinian pianist Iyad Sughayer embodies a captivating blend of exceptional skill and profound musicality. A prize-winner with the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) International Auditions, he was named a ClassicFM Rising Star Artist, and “One to Watch” by International Piano Magazine. His performances traverse the gamut of classical repertoire with spellbinding precision and emotive depth, captivating audiences worldwide.

Making their Middlebury debut, the Isidore String Quartet are winners of a 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition. Their concert program “Unrequited” explores the intersection of treasured classics and contemporary perspectives, providing a winding path into the complicated labyrinth that is human compassion and love, featuring works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Billy Childs. Thanks to the Sunderman Family Concert Endowment Fund, this concert is free and open to all.

Pianist Steven Osborne, OBE is one of Britain’s most treasured musicians. His performances exude an immense depth of musicality and exceptional refinement of expression across diverse repertoire, be it in Beethoven or Messiaen, Schubert or Ravel, Prokofiev, or jazz improvisations. His many honors include The Royal Philharmonic Society’s Instrumentalist of the Year, two BBC Music Magazine Awards, and two Gramophone Awards.

Learn more about this concert’s music in a free pre-concert lecture by Professor Emeritus of Music Larry Hamberlin.

We close our 105th season with the dynamic duo of violinist Alina Ibragimova and pianist Cédric Tiberghien. The two developed a tremendous rapport during their term as individual BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists, where their unique partnership was observed by The Times of London: “Both of these players have the potential to conquer the world.” During this Middlebury return, Ibragimova and Tiberghien will play Janácek, Enescu, Gerald Barry’s vivacious Triorchic Blues, and Beethoven’s iconic “Kreutzer” sonata.

Balla Kouyate and Matchume Zango will introduce you to the rhythm and culture of their respective African traditions.  You’ll have a chance to learn some of these rhythms and play them on five-gallon buckets! No experience needed. Ear protection recommended/provided. 

Registration will be open to Middlebury College students only until 09/25, then any remaining spots opened to the Middlebury Community Music Center and general community. 

Signup at https://forms.gle/uotptXWtrcBfxn5v5

BALA BILA brings together two African master musicians—Balla Kouyate on balafon, calabash, bass guitar, and voice, and Matchume Zango on timbila, mbira, percussion, and voice—in an intimate, living-room style concert and intercultural musical conversation between two extraordinary artists. Kouyate hails from the West African country of Mali, and Zango calls the East African nation of Mozambique home. They are leading exponents of their respective principal instruments, BALAfon and timBILA—two world heritage instruments that will be played together in harmony.

Perennial favorite cellist Sophie Shao returns to open our 105th season with an accomplished, all-female ensemble, performing a stunning program of sonatas and piano trios. Violinist Jennifer Frautschi and pianist Christina Dahl join Shao in an evening featuring Nadia Boulanger’s Three Pieces for Cello and Piano, Peteris Vasks’ Castillo Interior (The Interior Castle), Marguerite Canal’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, and Franz Schubert’s beloved Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat Major, D.898.