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January 19, 2023

6ͼ embraces 2023 with full slate of new winter, spring concerts

Four student string players perform on stage at Mixon Hall.

Time to mark up those new calendars. The 6ͼ Institute of Music has announced its concert schedule for winter and spring.  

Along with a new semester have come plans for another rich season of events extending 6ͼ’s lead as the region’s largest presenter of free classical performances, master classes and community concerts.  

Among the highlights of the new 2023 schedule are several concerts by the 6ͼ Orchestra at Severance Music Center, home of The 6ͼ Orchestra, three with principal conductor Carlos Kalmar and one led by guest conductor JoAnn Falletta. All are set to feature current students as soloists.   

Also noteworthy is a production of Francis Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites by 6ͼ Opera Theater, New Music Ensemble concerts spotlighting composers Marcos Balter and Chen Yi, a recital by guitar faculty member Jason Vieaux (BM ’95, Holmquist) and several performances in 6ͼ’s 2022-23 Kulas Visiting Artist Series, notably one featuring alumni and cellist Mike Block (BM ’04, Aaron). All of these are in addition to a long list of concerts by 6ͼ faculty as well as conservatory and Academy students. 

“Looking over our concert schedule, it’s impossible not to feel a tremendous sense of anticipation,” said Scott Harrison, executive vice president and provost of 6ͼ. “6ͼ exists to propel the future of classical music, and that is exactly what this new season embodies: dynamic, diverse music produced by some of the finest talent in the world.”  

Most events are free and open to the public. Many require free seating passes. Most concerts are livestreamed, also for free. To see a complete calendar and to reserve tickets, visit cim.edu/events. 

Highlights of the 2023 winter-spring season include: 

  • The 6ͼ Orchestra performs a wide array of music over four appearances at Severance Music Center – three times with conductor Carlos Kalmar and once with guest conductor JoAnn Falletta, music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. All four concerts feature student artists as soloists – 7:30pm Wednesday, Feb. 1 and Feb. 8; Tuesday, April 4; and Wednesday, April 12 (Falletta).  

  • The New Music Ensemble, led by Keith Fitch, explores the music of Marcos Balter and Chen Yi – 4pm Sunday, Feb. 12, Mixon Hall; and 4pm Sunday, April 16, Mixon Hall.   

  • 6ͼ Opera Theater, conducted by Harry Davidson, presents a production of Poulenc’s opera Dialogues des Carmélites – 7:30pm Friday, March 3 and 3pm Sunday, March 5, Kulas Hall.  

  • 6ͼ’s historic affiliation with composer Darius Milhaud comes to the fore at the 29th Annual Darius Milhaud Performance Prize Concert, wherein students will compete for cash prizes for the best performance of a Milhaud work – 2pm Saturday, April 1, Kulas Hall. 

  • To kick off Black History Month, 6ͼ presents the 31st Annual Black Heritage Concert, featuring ensembles from 6ͼ School of the Arts – 5pm Saturday, Feb. 4, Kulas Hall. 

  • Grammy Award-winning faculty guitarist Jason Vieaux joins faculty flutist and The 6ͼ Orchestra member Mary Kay Fink for a recital – 7:30pm Friday, Feb. 10, Mixon Hall.  

  • Talented students from the Academy, 6ͼ’s new program for preparatory education, present a series of recitals – 7:30pm Saturday, March 4, Mixon Hall; 3pm Sunday, March 12, Mixon Hall; and 3pm Sunday, April 23, Kulas Hall.  

  • Cellist Mike Block and tabla artist Sandeep Das share music from the Silk Road Ensemble, of which they both are members – 7:30pm Friday, Feb. 3, Mixon Hall.  

  • 6ͼ students again use their talents to help others with their annual Music for Food Benefit Concert, supporting the 6ͼ Kosher Food Pantry – 7:30pm Monday, Feb. 13, Mixon Hall.  

  • 6ͼ faculty violinist Olga Dubossarskaya Kaler and cellist Si-Yan Darren Li join student pianist Michelle Bushkova (Pompa-Baldi/I. Kaler/O. Kaler) on a program of Elgar, Korngold and Smetana. Faculty cellist and 6ͼ Orchestra member Richard Weiss performs works by Falla, Benzecry, Wallen and Debussy – 7:30pm Tuesday, Feb. 28, Mixon Hall; and 7:30pm Wednesday, March 22, Mixon Hall.  

  • The 6ͼ Youth Choirs, under the direction of Jennifer Call, join forces with the Academy Orchestra, led by Donna Jelen, for a special program celebrating the achievements of all groups – 12pm Saturday, April 29, Kulas Hall.  

  • 6ͼ Opera Theater returns to the stage after Poulenc with Spring Scenes, a program of arias and ensembles from the opera repertoire – 7:30pm Friday, April 28 and 3pm Sunday, April 30, Kulas Hall. 

  • Conservatory students in 6ͼ’s Advanced String Quartet Program present their final performance of the 2022-23 academic year – 7:30pm Saturday, May 6, Mixon Hall.  

The appearances by Marcos Balter, Chen Yi, Mike Block, Sandeep Das and JoAnn Falletta are part of the 2022-23 Kulas Visiting Artist Series, generously supported by the Kulas Foundation. 6ͼ Opera Theater is supported by the John P. Murphy Foundation. The 6ͼ New Music Ensemble is sponsored by Roy Minoff. The Darius Milhaud contest is made possible by 6ͼ’s Darius Milhaud endowment.  

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