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Conservatory

Category: Conservatory

Guest Concert: Peter Steiner & Constanze Hochwartner

Monday, Oct. 16 | 8-9:30 p.m.
Memorial Chapel
FREE

With his solo playing described as being “beautifully controlled with a vocal sound,” Italian Trombonist Peter Steiner is recognized across the world as “a new trombone star within his generation,” who “plays with total control.” Together with Constanze Hochwartner (piano/organ), as Duo Steiner-Hochwartner, the pair perform a guest artist recital at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music as part of their three-month world tour of the United States, Europe, Asia and South America.

At the age of 23, Peter Steiner was appointed Trombonist of the Vienna State Opera and Vienna Philharmonic for the 2016-2017 season. Steiner has since performed as guest trombonist with the Munich Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Constanze Hochwartner received her first piano lessons at the young age of three, before being accepted into a class for gifted students in 2005 at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria. After graduating from high school, she switched her focus from piano to organ and started her studies in concert performance for organ with Univ. Prof. Ulrich Walther. Simultaneously, she studied instrumental and vocal pedagogy with an additional focus on piano and graduated in the Fall of 2017. In October 2017 she started her Master’s degree studying with Karin Tafeit (organ) at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz. She has also been mentored by Univ. Prof. Gunther Rost.

Performing Arts Series: Fatoumata Diawara

Wednesday, October 4 | 8-9:30 p.m.
Harper Hall

“One of the most inventive and dynamic performers in Africa. At her best, she mixes delicate solo work with high energy songs, dance routines, social comment and African-edged reworkings of classics.” – The Guardian

Fatoumata Diawara is a renowned African musician, celebrated for her innovative and authentic sound. With deep roots in Mali, she represents the voice of young African women, blending tradition with forward-looking vision. Her dynamic live performances exude energy, captivating audiences with her hypnotic stage presence. Fenfo, her Grammy-nominated album, showcases her unique storytelling abilities, addressing universal themes of respect, love, migration, and building a brighter future for our children.

Students (LU and non-LU) and Lawrence faculty & staff get in for free! A valid Lawrence ID must be presented for free admission.

Discounted tickets for Fox Valley Symphony

As part of Viking Downtown Deals

The Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra is offering a 50% discount on tickets to Fox Valley Symphony concerts at the Fox Cities P.A.C. for all Lawrence students, faculty and staff, beginning with their concert on Saturday, November 11, 2023. Contact the Fox Cities PAC box office at 920-730-3760 to take advantage of the deal.

23-24 HEROES
Your Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, November 11, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

View the full Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra Schedule

Performing Arts Series: Founders

Friday, September 22 | 7:30-9 p.m.
Memorial Chapel

“An idiosyncratic quintet featuring versatile chamber music players who double as singers and songwriters.” – The New Yorker

Founders is a songwriting collective comprised of: Ben Russell, Brandon Ridenour, Hamilton Berry, Yoonah Kim, and Greg Chudzik. They combine classical and folk music with original compositions and pop arrangements, pushing the boundaries of musical styles.

Lawrence Community Music School opportunities

View the full list at communitymusic.lawrence.edu.

Balinese Gamelan

8 Week Session
September 17-November 5 | Sundays | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Ages 5-14
Beginners leave at noon; intermediates remain for the full hour
Cost: $86 for beginners, $129 for intermediates

12 Week Session (Gamelan Sekar Kemuda ensemble)
September 17-December 10 | Sundays | 1-3 p.m.
Ages 14+
Cost: $282 + $19 annual registration fee

Chamber Ensembles

12 Week Fall Session
Open to youth & adult string and wind players
September-December | Rehearsals begins week of September 11 | Recital is December 10
Class days/times will be determined after registration is complete.
Cost: $222 + $19 registration fee

Con Vivo Choir

Open to all Girl Choir Alums, any length of time, who can sing treble repertoire
September-November, January-March
Cost: $199 + $19 annual registration fee

Early Childhood Music

Weekly 30-minute classes (see below) | September 10-November 12
Music for the Very Young | Birth-5 years
Sibling Class | Ages 1-5
Music and Movement | Ages 4-5

Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.0-11 monthsMusic for the Very Young$116
Tuesday, 9:15 a.m.1-3 yearsMusic for the Very Young$116
Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.3-4 yearsMusic & Movement$116
Tuesday, 10:45 a.m.1-5 yearsSibling$209
Thursday, 8:30 a.m.0-11 monthsMusic for the Very Young$116
Thursday, 9:15 a.m.1-3 yearsMusic for the Very Young$116
Thursday, 10:00 a.m.2-4 yearsMusic for the Very Young$116
Thursday, 10:45 a.m.1-5 yearsSiblings$209
Sunday, 3:00 p.m.1-3 yearsMusic for the Very Young$116


Community Band Programs

Symphonic Band
Non-auditioned community band | Open to woodwind, brass, and percussion students in grades 7-12
September-November, January-March
Cost: $327

Wind Ensemble
Auditioned honors band | Open to woodwind, brass, and percussion students in grades 10-12
September-November, January-March
Cost: $424 + $19 annual registration fee

Lawrence Community Girl Choir

Various choirs for girls in grades 3-12
September-December, January-March
Cost: $260-520 + $19 annual registration fee

Lawrence Youth String Orchestra (LYSO)

Auditioned band | Open to strings students in grades 5-8
September-November, January-March
Cost: $270 + $19 annual registration fee

Music for People with Disabilities

Open to age 5-adult
Begins September 18
Cost: $168 + $19 annual registration fee

Piano Lab

Open to piano students in grade 2 (no prior experience needed)
September-May

Mile of Music 2023

August 3-6, 2023

Mile of Music 2023 Schedule

Music Education Team Workshop Schedule

Lawrence University is a proud supporter of the Mile of Music Festival! Performances will take place all along College Avenue, including Lawrence Memorial Chapel, Harper Hall, and Main Hall Green.

The Music Education Team, comprised of Lawrence University and Lawrence Community School faculty, alumni, and current students, are also hosting a number of sessions at:

  • Harper Hall lobby
  • Conservatory green
  • Heid Music
  • Fox Cities Performing Arts Center – Thrivent Hall

Be sure to also look out for Sprig of That, a folk music trio consisting of two Lawrence alumni, Isabel Dammann ’17 and Ilan Blanck ’17!

  • Thursday, August 3 | 12:05-12:55 p.m. | Stone Arch Brewpub
  • Thursday, August 3 | 5:50-6:40 p.m. | The 513
  • Friday, August 4 | 12:25-1:15 p.m. | Lawrence Memorial Chapel

View the full schedule of events via the links above!

Decoda Chamber Music Festival 2023

July 24-August 5

The Decoda Chamber Music Festival brings 28 pre-professional artists from around the world to Lawrence for instruction, collaboration, and a series of public performances. The Decoda Festival will once again collaborate with the Mile of Music Festival!

Concert Schedule

  • Monday, July 24 | Decoda Concert No. 1 | Gibson Music Hall | 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 27 | Performance Class with Decoda Artists | Harper Hall | 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, July 28 | Decoda Concert No. 2 | Memorial Chapel | 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 29 | Young Artist Concert No. 1 | Memorial Chapel | 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 30 | Young Artist Concert No. 2 | Memorial Chapel | 1 p.m.

Mile of Music Schedule

  • Thursday, August 3 | Mile of Music Kickoff ft. Decoda | Memorial Chapel | 11 a.m.
  • Friday, August 4 | Hilton Paper Valley Ballroom | 11 a.m.
  • Friday, August 4 | Riverview Gardens | 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 5 | AM Performance TBD
  • Saturday, August 5 | Performing Arts Center Stage | 5 p.m.

Guest recital: pax duo

8-9:30 p.m. | Tuesday, May 16
Harper Hall

This concert is free and open to the public!
Please note: This performance will utilize flashing lights which may not be suitable to photosensitive viewers.

pax duo is a dynamic new percussion project created by Tristan Swihart and Micah Detweiler. Based in Goshen, IN and Madison, WI, pax duo aims to break preconceptions of contemporary percussion through collaboration and new creation of genre bending works.

Tristan and Micah first met in the fall of 2012 when Micah began working with the Northridge Raider Marching Band in Middlebury, IN where Tristan was a student. The marching band show that year was entitled Et in Terra Pax. Since then they have gone from student and teacher to close friends and colleagues.

In their first season alone, pax duo has had more than 20 engagements including performances at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Goshen College, Indiana, Wesleyan University, DePauw University, and Purdue Fort Wayne. They are continually working on new projects and commissions and expanding their list of collaborators.

pax duo are Malletech performing artists and are proud to endorse their products.

Melissa Aldana Quartet

with GADI LEHAVI, piano, PABLO MENARES, bass and KUSH ABADEY, drums

Lawrence Memorial Chapel

Friday, May 12, | 8:00 p.m.

GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana has garnered international recognition for her visionary work as a band leader, as well as her deeply meditative interpretation of language and vocabulary.

She was recently signed with Blue Note Records and releases her debut album with the historic label titled 12 Stars in March 2022. “Melissa Aldana is one of the foremost musician/composers of her generation,” says Blue Note President Don Was.

Aldana was one of the founding members of ARTEMIS, the all-star collective that released their debut album ARTEMIS on Blue Note this past Fall. The album featured Aldana’s simmering composition “Frida,” which was dedicated to Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, who inspired the musician through “her own process of finding self-identity through art.” Kahlo was also the subject of Aldana’s celebrated 2019 album Visions (Motéma), which earned the saxophonist her first-ever GRAMMY nomination for Best Improvised Jazz Solo, an acknowledgement of her impressive tenor solo on her composition “Elsewhere.” In naming Visions among the best albums of 2019 for NPR Music, critic Nate Chinen wrote that Aldana “has the elusive ability to balance technical achievement against a rich emotional palette.”