Performing Arts Series

Celebrating 20 years of music making, the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds have led both a revolution and the evolution of the wind quintet. Their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations, and commitment to education have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Though their playlist embraces traditional chamber music repertoire, they also reach forward into the 21st century, expanding the wind quintet repertoire by commissioning music from new voices that reflect both historical events and present times.

Now entering its 25th season, the Jerusalem Quartet earned praise from the Times, London: “Passion, precision, warmth, a gold blend: these are the trademarks of this excellent Israeli string quartet.” We are thrilled to present the quartet’s Middlebury debut on Fall Family Weekend, performing quartets by Beethoven, Ravel, and Shostakovich. A Nelson Series event. Reserved seating. Tickets: $28/22/10/6

The Middlebury Performing Arts Series presents Avery Fisher Prize-winning clarinetist David Shifrin, one of only two wind players to have been awarded the prestigious prize since the award’s inception in 1974. Shifrin is in constant demand worldwide as an orchestral soloist, recitalist, and chamber music collaborator. In this virtual concert, he’ll perform works by Mozart, Bassi, and Duke Ellington. Fun fact: Duke Ellington performed on Middlebury’s Performing Arts Series in 1960.

Known the world over for “Precise, pure, and deeply felt singing” (New York Times), the multiple Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer makes its Middlebury debut with a special program called Then and There, Here and Now. This anthology of the ensemble’s repertoire spans musical history in honor of their 40th anniversary season.

Admission: $30 Public/$25 Midd ID holder/$10 Youth/$6 Midd student.  A Performing Arts Series and Nelson Series event

Winner of a 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant, violinist Arnaud Sussmann has distinguished himself with his unique sound, bravura, and profound musicianship. Minnesota’s Pioneer Press writes, “Sussmann has an old-school sound…a rare combination of sweet and smooth that can hypnotize a listener.” Sussmann will perform Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 and Chausson’s Concerto in D Major for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet.

The class begins with a gentle physical warm up, moving into improvisational techniques and phrasework, with a special emphasis paid to musicality. Alison Clancy is a multidisciplinary artist working across the time based mediums of dance, music, and visual media, in pursuit of beauty and catharsis. Clancy has danced for ten seasons with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and tours internationally with ZviDance. She composes music for theater and film and has released albums under the monikers Psycho Tyko, Loving You, HUFF THIS!, and Electric Child. All levels welcome.

Alison Clancy is a NYC-based multidisciplinary artist working across the mediums of dance, music, and visual media. Her artistic endeavors are centered around the pursuit of beauty and catharsis, pushing the edges of contemporary dance and music, with depths of somatic practices related to spiritual and psychological development.