Performing Arts Series

As the winners of numerous international chamber music competitions and faculty at the Oberlin College and Conservatory, the Verona String Quartet presents an imaginative program of works from Romantic to Contemporary by Glass, Barber, Peter Myers, and Dvorak! Praised by The New York Times as an “outstanding ensemble… cohesive yet full of temperament”, they are recognized as a premier ensemble of its generation, pairing versatile programming with imaginative collaborations that bridge the time-honored canon with new, interdisciplinary works.

Program:

GLASS: String Quartet No.2
BARBER: Adagio for Strings
1920s Tunes arr. Peter Myers
DVORAK: String Quartet in A-flat, Op.105

The jazz duo de force, the Le Boeuf Brothers, features pianist Pascal Le Boeuf and saxophonist Remy Le Boeuf. Collectively, they have received two GRAMMY Awards and nine GRAMMY-Award nominations for their innovative compositional projects, which span as broadly stylistically as they do collaboratively. They are the first identical twins to receive GRAMMY Awards in the same category in consecutive years.

Their latest project, Off Center (2026) is described by Downbeat Magazine as "an all-acoustic affair that finds the group leaning into spontaneity and elasticity in search of the unconventional, stretching the compositions far beyond what’s written on the page in a delightful adventure of shared risk and mutual trust." An energetic follow-up to the whisper-quiet 2023 recording HUSH (2023), Off Center “jacks up the excitement factor with a program of all-original material that goes even further in engaging the simpatico members of their quintet, which longtime co-conspirators Dayna Stephens (tenor saxophone), Linda May Han Oh (bass) and Christian Euman (drums).”

Jake Runestad is an award-winning composer and conductor who believes in the power of music for positive change. Jake’s “highly imaginative” (Baltimore Sun) and “stirring and uplifting” (Miami Herald) musical works have earned a 2022 EMMY® Award as well as 2020 and 2025 GRAMMY® Award nominations. Dubbed a “choral rockstar” by American Public Media, Jake is one of the most frequently performed composers of concert music. His thoughtful and compelling works “that speak to some of the most pressing and moving issues of our time” (Star Tribune), have been heard in thousands of performances across the globe.

This unforgettable weekend will feature the Federated Church Choir and guest orchestra, along with other community choral ensembles, performing works by Mr. Runestad and other contemporaries. Mr. Runestad will lead an open-to-the-public masterclass to comment on the pieces being performed at the evening concert led by conductors Joshua Konow and Mr. Runestad. The concert’s theme of “Light!” will feature works that illuminate hope in our world. On Sunday, April 18th, the Federated Choir will present shorter works conducted by Mr. Runestad and he will offer a reflection on music and community.

PERFORMING ARTS SERIES

The 2026-2027 Performing Arts Series Season is Here!