Upcoming Performances at Main Event Venues
Credo Music: Strings Fellowship Tour — Thu, Jan 01st
The Goshen College Music Center is thrilled to host a performance by two elite ensembles from the prestigious Credo Music String Quartet Fellowship. Comprising advanced conservatory-level musicians from across the country (with recent participants representing Juilliard, Eastman, and the Cleveland Institute of Music), these fellows represent the next generation of classical music leaders.
Credo Music is internationally recognized for its unique philosophy of combining world-class technical excellence with a deep commitment to community service. As the culmination of an intensive performance and outreach tour, these two pre-formed quartets will take the stage to deliver a high-energy, emotionally profound program. Audiences can expect a brilliant showcase of masterworks spanning the classical, romantic, and contemporary string quartet repertoire.
Piano and Strings Camp: Final Concert — Thu, Jan 01st
Celebrate the culmination of an intensive week of music-making at the Goshen College Piano & Strings Camp Final Concert. This showcase features the camp’s talented middle and high school participants performing a diverse selection of solo, chamber, and ensemble works prepared during their time on campus.
Under the mentorship of our resident faculty and guest artists, these young musicians have spent the week refining their technique, collaborating in ensembles, and deepening their artistry. Come support the next generation of musical talent as they share their hard work, growth, and passion in this grand finale performance.
Strings Camp Guest Artist Concert: Solomia Soroka, violin with Matthew Hill, piano — Thu, Jan 01st
Experience an evening of world-class virtuosity as the Goshen College Strings Camp welcomes internationally acclaimed violinist Solomia Soroka for a special guest artist recital. Joined by collaborative pianist Matthew Hill and guest violist Jaehyuk Choi, Dr. Soroka will present a dynamic program that spans classical mastery, brilliant Americana, and rich Eastern European traditions.
The performance highlights include Beethoven’s bright and spirited Sonata No. 8, Halvorsen’s thunderous, show-stopping Passacaglia for violin and viola duo, and Jascha Heifetz’s beloved, jazz-infused transcriptions of George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Celebrating her deep heritage, Dr. Soroka will also introduce audiences to the fiery rhythms and soulful melodies of Ukrainian masters Mykola Lysenko and Myroslav Skoryk.
Piano & Strings Camp Faculty Concert — Thu, Jan 01st
Join us for an afternoon of exceptional artistry as the distinguished faculty of the Goshen College Piano & Strings Camp take the stage. This recital showcases the extraordinary talent of our camp educators—all acclaimed performers and pedagogues—in a diverse program featuring masterpieces for viola, solo piano, and piano four-hands.
The afternoon’s repertoire spans the deep romanticism of Robert Schumann, the shimmering impressionism of Claude Debussy, the virtuosic brilliance of Fryderyk Chopin, and the evocative, nature-inspired lyricism of Edvard Grieg. Come experience the high-caliber musicianship that inspires our students throughout the week.
Apollo's Fire – Vivaldi's Four Seasons — Thu, Jan 01st
As heard in major festivals and cities across the United States, Apollo’s Fire and Jeannette Sorrell present Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons as the revolutionary acts of musical storytelling they were meant to be – bringing Vivaldi’s pictorial descriptions to life. If you thought you knew the Four Seasons, be prepared for surprises! From the bird calls and storms to a barking dog, flies and wasps, drunken peasants, an exhilarating fox hunt with “gunshots,” and more…the story that Vivaldi intended with these pieces is made clear as each concerto is preceded by a quick and polished “tour” of the sound effects to come. The virtuoso musicians of Apollo’s Fire take turns stepping into the spotlight as a different soloist leads each concerto.
The Steel Wheels — Thu, Jan 01st
The Steel Wheels have long been at home in the creative space between tradition and innovation, informed by the familiar sounds of the Virginia mountains where the band was formed, but always moving forward with insightful lyrics and an evolving sound. In 2005, Jay Lapp (vocals, guitars, mandolin) and Eric Brubaker (vocals, fiddle) joined lead singer Trent Wagler (guitar, banjo) in forming the band as a vehicle for Wagler’s songwriting. Kevin Garcia (drums, percussion, keys) joined in 2017, bringing a new level of sonic depth and polish to the outfit. Newest member Jeremy Darrow rounds out the rhythm section and grounds the band as they continue to explore deeply rooted yet fresh folk rock sounds. Having gained the experience of thousands of shows, festivals and many miles on the road, the stubbornly independent band has formed deep bonds with each other and the audience that sustains them.
Presented in collaboration with Goshen Theater.
Fernando Ortega — Thu, Jan 01st
Fernando Ortega is a Dove Award winning singer, pianist, songwriter, arranger and storyteller. Trained as a classical pianist and inspired by the Presbyterian hymns of his childhood, Ortega has been influential in expanding the range of Christian music. He has devoted considerable attention to creating arrangements of early church music and hymns, infusing them with instrumental and vocal character drawn from classical, folk and world music. His songs and writing often conjure the expansive landscape of the Southwestern United States.
Ortega makes his home in New Mexico, where his ancestors first settled in the early 1600s. Over a rich and varied musical career, he has released 22records and a book of his bird photography and tales, has traveled around the world as a touring artist, and has received many accolades and awards for his music.
Step Afrika! — Thu, Jan 01st
Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping. Under Mr. Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural exports, touring more than 60 countries across the globe and ranking as one of the top 10 African American Dance Companies in the United States. Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.
A partner program of the 2027 Notre Dame Arts Biennial, supported with funding from the Notre Dame Arts Initiative.
International Guitar Night — Thu, Jan 01st
International Guitar Night (IGN) is the world’s premier touring guitar festival, each show bringing together the most interesting and innovative acoustic guitarists to exchange musical ideas in a public concert setting. For each tour, IGN founder Brian Gore brings together a new cast of guitar luminaries for special evenings of solos, duets and quartets that highlight the dexterity and diversity within the world of acoustic guitar. Returning to Sauder Concert Hall by popular demand, IGN is celebrating its 27th Anniversary with the debut of Roxane Elfasci, the award-winning classical virtuoso from France, and three all-time IGN favorites— Acoustic Rock dynamo Luca Stricagnoli from Italy, mellow Slack Key master Jim Kimo West from Hawaii and the irrepressible blues slide guitar powerhouse Minnie Marks from Australia.
Third Coast Percussion — Thu, Jan 01st
Third Coast Percussion (TCP) is Chicago’s GRAMMY® Award-winning percussion quartet and GRAMMY®-nominated composer collective that made history as the first percussion ensemble to win the revered music award in the classical genre. TCP will present a program honoring the tremendous impact of composer Philip Glass on contemporary music. TCP has enjoyed a close and fruitful relationship with Glass, commissioning him to write his first-ever work for percussion ensemble in 2018, featured on this program. As Glass turns 90 in 2027, his unmistakable influence resonates across a vast spectrum of contemporary music creators also included on this program. At the heart of this program are TCP’s acclaimed arrangements of Aguas da Amazonia and Metamorphosis One. These enchanting works bring focus to his gorgeous harmonic vocabulary, performed on an array of traditional and unexpected percussion instruments.