He has been changing people’s minds about music for almost half a century. For those seeking a performance that stirs their passion while also challenging their perspective, German free jazz artist Peter Brötzmann brings his famous improvisations to Ohio Wesleyan this September. With 16 complete solo albums and numerous collaborative recordings and concert tours worldwide for over 40 years, Brötzmann has been described as “a towering presence in European free music since the 1960s”

“Sensitivity isn’t what you ever expect from the saxophone firebrand Peter Brötzmann. But that’s what came of this freely improvised duet with Mr. Adasiewicz, a deft, dynamic young vibraphonist.” – The New York Times

“Maybe in ’66 or ’68 we had the idea of changing the world a little bit with the music or the arts, but that is a thing of impossibility. What you can do is convince a person from time to time to think differently about things” – Peter Brötzmann

The Cody Rivers Show creates kinetic and unpredictable comedy theatre that has amazed audiences and defied description for the past five years. Featuring Ohio Wesleyan alums Andrew Connor (1999) and Mike Mathieu (2000), they push the envelopes of physical theatre, dance, music, and high-concept comedy into a unique performance style unlike any other comedy act, past or present.

“...artful, unusual, painstakingly brilliant...” – Time Out Chicago

“...razor-sharp sketch comedy full of wordplay, tight satire, and clever improvisation.” – The Minneapolis Star-Tribune

“...intelligence and unpredictability are a constant. Connor and Mathieu are up there with such international comedy stars as Bill Irwin, Geoff Hoyle, and the Blue Man Group...” – Seattle Post-Intelligencer

A vast and growing audience of classical music lovers has enjoyed the talent and dedication of the Central Ohio Symphony’s musicians. Come be a part of this inspiring local tradition as Conductor Jaime Morales-Matos brings his charismatic style and passion to the podium, directing dedicated musicians drawn from all over Ohio.

The debut of the Symphony concert season will feature beloved classics from Glinka, Tchaikovsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov, as well as a world premiere through their Ohio Composers Project featuring Jesús Morales-Matos (Cello).

Note: A limited supply of free tickets are available to all OWU students, staff, and faculty by contacting the Central Ohio Symphony office at OWUtickets@centralohiosymphony.org or by calling their office at (740) 362-1799.

Remaining tickets are available at the door.

Classical Jam (CJ) comes to Ohio Wesleyan to present a vibrant collaboration of flute, percussion, violin, viola, and cello by bringing five of the most highly demanded soloists and chamber musicians together. CJ is best known for engaging audiences in thought provoking concert themes with wide-ranging repertoire from Renaissance dance music and traditional classical works, to improvised performances and original compositions by members of CJ and other contemporary composers.

Their performance this October will feature works by Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Piazolla, and will close with an improvised classical music performance with OWU students!

“A hotshot quintet…promises interesting sounds for veteran and novice classical music listeners alike.” – The Baltimore Sun

Flute: Marco Granados
Violin: Jennifer Choi
Violin/Viola: Cyrus Beroukhim
Cello: Wendy Law
Percussion: Justin Hines

DOUBLE/TAKE is an evening length dance performance that showcases Meghan Durham and Karl Rogers as local dance artists who maintain strong ties with the larger dance community. Currently, Meghan is based in Columbus, OH and Karl is based in Rochester, NY. DOUBLE/TAKE is an ongoing creative endeavor between these two dance artists, involving commissioned duets from a range of internationally recognized artists, as well as original solo work by the performers.

The current performance of DOUBLE/TAKE features three commissioned works from internationally recognized artists, including three original duets—one each by Stephen Koester (UT), Mariko Yamada (Japan/NY), and Lisa Race (CT/NY). Two solo works, one choreographed and performed each by Meghan Durham and Karl Rogers, will complete the evening. The performance also features original music by composer Michael Wall. The larger project includes duet commissions from Susan Hadley (OH) and Bebe Miller (OH/NY), which premiered in 2010.

Come hear the exciting sounds of Latin America and acoustical guitar as Ohio Wesleyan hosts David Burgess. Praised by musicians and critics worldwide, Mr. Burgess is recognized as one of today’s outstanding guitarists. His international appearances as soloist and chamber musician have taken him to concert halls throughout North and South America, Europe and the Far East. Highlights of recent seasons include several concert tours of Europe, repeated recitals in New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Denver, Phoenix, and Nashville, along with numerous appearances as an orchestral soloist, including featured performances with the Philharmonia Virtuosi of New York, and the American Chamber Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.

First prize winner in the Andrés Segovia Fellowship Competition in New York City, he has also won top honors in the Ponce International Competition in Mexico City, and the 31st International Music Competition in Munich.

“His performance was hauntingly beautiful, tastefully phrased with exquisite nuance and yet with an aristocratic understatement that held his audience spellbound.” – Greenwich Time

“An artist of music with a magnificent technique.” – Andrés Segovia