Upcoming Performances at Main Event Venues
Rieth Recital Series: Jeni Houser, soprano & Austin Huntington, cello — Thu, Jan 01st
The Rieth Recital Series at the Goshen College Music Center welcomes two extraordinary artists for an evening of virtuosic artistry and expressive collaboration as part of the Edvard Grieg Society of the Great Lakes Conference.
Cellist Austin Huntington, principal cellist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra since the age of 20, has quickly established himself as one of the most compelling young musicians in American orchestral life. An internationally recognized competition winner and sought-after guest principal with orchestras across North America, Huntington brings dazzling technique and expressive depth to the stage.
Joining him is acclaimed soprano Jeni Houser, celebrated for her thrilling coloratura and dramatic intensity. A frequent performer with the Metropolitan Opera—where she is renowned for her portrayal of the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte—Houser has captivated audiences across the United States and internationally.
Together, these remarkable artists offer a program of striking virtuosity, lyric beauty, and unforgettable musical storytelling.
Rieth Recital Series: Solomia Soroka, violin & Philip Silver, piano — Thu, Jan 01st
The Rieth Recital Series presents violinist Solomia Soroka and pianist Phillip Silver performing music from their newly released two-volume recording “Lost American Sonatas” on Toccata Classics. The project rediscovers powerful yet long-forgotten violin sonatas by early twentieth-century American composers, including Albert Stoessel, Clara Rogers, and Henry Schoenefeld.
Made possible by the Goshen College Presidential Award, this recording revives a vibrant chapter of American musical history. On this program, Soroka and Silver perform three of the six sonatas from the project, bringing this unjustly neglected repertoire back to the concert stage.
Goshen College String Studio Recital: Carnival! — Thu, Jan 01st
Join the Goshen College string studio, led by Solomia Soroka, for their annual “April Fools” concert in Rieth Recital Hall! This year’s theme is “Carnival!” and will feature a wandering troup of traveling student string musicians, performing works by Dancla, Saint-Saens, Paganini, Schumann, and more. Emceed by Dustin George-Miller
Sherer Piano and Strings Competition Winners' Concert — Thu, Jan 01st
Winners of the 2026 Sherer Piano and Strings Competition will present their winning works on the Sauder Concert Hall stage. Luke Norell will accompany on piano.
Sherer Piano and Strings Competition Judges Concert — Thu, Jan 01st
The 2026 Sherer Piano & Strings Competition will present a concert by competition judges in Rieth Recital Hall. The recital is free and open to the public.
66th Annual Goshen College Concerto-Aria Concert — Thu, Jan 01st
Student winners of the annual Goshen College Concerto-Aria Competition will perform their works with the GC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jimin Seo.
GC Choirs: Winter Choral Concert — Thu, Jan 01st
The Goshen College Choirs will present their annual Winter Choral Concert in Sauder Concert Hall. Performing are the Goshen College Chamber Choir, conducted by Jimin Seo; Voices of the Earth, conducted by H. Roz Woll; and Vox Profundi, conducted by Jeshua Franklin.
Eric Yake Kenagy Lecture: Isaac Scott, artist — Thu, Jan 01st
Rieth Recital Hall: Norell Piano Duo - André Watts Tribute — Thu, Jan 01st
The Norell Piano Duo began performing together in 2009 at LCC International University in Klaipeda, Lithuania, and has continued to present repertoire for one and two pianos across North America. This winter they performed Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite for two pianos on the Ruthmere Two-Piano Concert Series, and they look forward to sharing a concert of American and patriotic music for one and two pianos at Ruthmere in July 2026 in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. Other recent engagements have included performing Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra with the Maple City Community Orchestra, and duo performances at the University of Indianapolis, the University of Wisconsin, Ohio University, the Roti Roti Art Center of Buchanan (MI), and the Music Archive of Sarasota (FL). Luke and Mary Rose have been featured on the “Music for Food” series at Saint Mary’s College (IN), as Guest Artists for Ravinia’s outreach program “Reach*Teach*Play”, and the American Liszt Society. The Norells performed at Edvard Grieg’s home Troldhaugen in Bergen, Norway, and are founding board members of the Edvard Grieg Society of the Great Lakes, which is holding its third conference and competition at Goshen College in May 2026.
Their collaboration together as teachers and adjudicators has included engagements with the Ohio Music Teachers Association in Summit County, the Kelowna Kiwanis Music Festival in British Columbia, and the Beardsley Prize at Ruthmere. They both teach on the faculty of the Goshen College Community School of the Arts, where Luke serves as Lead Piano Instructor and Mary Rose directs the Private Lesson program, and co-direct the Goshen College Piano Camp, which is going into its fifth year. Luke also serves as collaborative pianist for the Goshen College Music Department.
Luke received his B.M. degree from the University of Northwestern (St. Paul) where he was recently honored with the 2024 “Music & Theatre Hall of Recognition” award, one of the school’s top alumni honors. He completed his M.M. and D.M. degrees in piano performance at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with André Watts. Mary Rose began her studies with Marvin Blickenstaff, continued at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with Emile Naoumoff, and earned her doctorate in Piano Performance with James Giles at the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music. At home, the Norells enjoy sharing music with their three children, Lawrence, Nicholas, and Roselena.
The January 16 program is dedicated to the legendary American pianist André Watts, with whom Luke studied for 4 years at Indiana University. During that time, André coached Luke and Mary Rose in their first duo collaborations as a married couple. The repertoire for the concert includes works that are connected to their work and friendship with André and his wife, Joan Brand: the Bach chorale “Sheep may safely graze”, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances. André and Joan “adopted” his students, including spouses and significant others; they generously gave–and still give!–their love and time to the musicians in their care. Luke and Mary Rose are so thankful for André’s mentorship and love, and dedicate the January 16 performance to him, as well as to his dear wife and steadfast companion, Joan.
Rieth Recital Series: Ensemble CONCEPT/21 — Thu, Jan 01st
An Evening of New Music by Midwest Composers
Come support our local and regional composers from Indiana through exciting performances by Ensemble CONCEPT/21. Maestra Casey Robards, EC/21’s Artistic and Music Director, will lead the ensemble to present six works by emerging Indiana composers Biddyclair Moore, Victor Williams, Xinyuan Deng, Michale James Fair, Bill Klemm, and the exciting new work by Jessica T. Carter, Birds of Freedom!