2026 Summer Festival - Sneak Preview

Dear Friends,

Music connects us beyond cultural, geographical, and political borders. It invites us to honor our differences while also learning from one another. Our 2026 festival, Confluence: Our Shared Voices, is a celebration of musical ideas from around the world that come together to shape the music we love.

We begin with Sounds of America, commemorating America at 250 years, from Bernstein’s West Side Story and Copland’s Appalachian Spring to spirituals, jigs, and American Indian folklore. Songs from Home is filled with melodies by Reena Esmail, Lembit Beecher, Kodály, and Dvořák that lovingly evoke their cultural roots.

Musical Postcards explores composers inspired by other lands—from Brahms and Tchaikovsky to two world premieres that pay tribute to Rilke’s Orpheus and Nina Simone. The festival concludes joyfully with Unity, featuring beloved classics by some of the most enduring voices in music. Join us for a summer of music that transcends boundaries and brings together our shared voices!

Gloria Chien & Soovin Kim Artistic Directors

THANK YOU TO OUR 2 0 26 SUMMER FESTIVAL SPONSORS & PARTNERS:

2026 SUMMER FESTIVAL SPECIAL EVENTS

An Evening with Kit Armstrong: Liszt’s Pilgrimage

Friday, July 3 @ 8PM | Kaul Auditorium, Reed College

Pianist Kit Armstrong returns after his electrifying debut last summer with a recital that traces Franz Liszt's idea of "home," shaped by the cities that defined his artistic path. From the musical vibrancy of Paris, through the philosophical ideals of Weimar, to the spiritual reflection of Rome, this musical pilgrimage weaves together works by Chopin, Alkan, and Liszt—echoing our Week 2 theme Songs from Home. Join us for an illuminating journey curated by one of today’s most original and imaginative artistic voices.

An

Evening with Chris Thile: Master of the Mandolin

Friday, July 10 @ 8PM | Kaul Auditorium, Reed College

In partnership with the Oregon Bach Festival, CMNW proudly hosts American singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and radio personality Chris Thile for a onenight-only special event highlighting his mesmerizing mandolin artistry. Thile is best known for his work with the progressive acoustic trio Nickel Creek and the innovative acoustic folk and bluegrass quintet Punch Brothers. The evening’s program will be curated by the artist and announced from the stage.

OPENING NIGHT

WEEK ONE: Sounds of America

Americana: Appalachian Spring

Thursday, June 25 @ 8PM | Kaul Auditorium, Reed College

Saturday, June 27 @ 7PM | First United Methodist Church

LEONARD BERNSTEIN Songs from West Side Story (Arr. Alistair Coleman)

TRADITIONAL FOLK I’m Just A-goin’ Over Jordan Deep River Shenandoah

MARK O’CONNOR Appalachia Waltz F.C.'s Jig

AARON COPLAND Appalachian Spring

FEATURING: Jessica Bodner (viola), Victor Caccese (percussion), Gloria Chien (piano), Marilyn de Oliveira (cello), Isabelle Ai Durrenberger (violin), Jose Franch-Ballester (clarinet), Yoko Greeney (piano), Clive Greensmith (cello), Hye-Jin Kim (violin), Braizahn Jones (bass), Jessica Lee (violin), Kristin Lee (violin), David McCarroll (violin), Carin Miller (bassoon), Paul Neubauer (viola), Tara Helen O’Connor (flute)

Voices of Our Land: Dvořák American Quintet

Sunday, June 28 @ 4PM | Lincoln Performance Hall, PSU Monday, June 29 @ 8PM | Kaul Auditorium, Reed College

JOAN TOWER Petroushskates

JEROD IMPICHCHAACHAAHA' TATE Pisachi (Reveal)

HENRY COWELL Set of Five

DVORÁK Viola Quintet, “American”

FEATURING: Jessica Bodner (viola), Victor Caccese (percussion), Gloria Chien (piano), Marilyn de Oliveira (cello), Jose Franch-Ballester (clarinet), Yoko Greeney (piano), Clive Greensmith (cello), Hye-Jin Kim (violin), Kristin Lee (violin), David McCarroll (violin), Paul Neubauer (viola), Tara Helen O’Connor (flute) >

WEEK TWO: Songs from Home

NEW@NIGHT: Echoes of Home

Wednesday, July 1 @ 7PM | The Old Church

See page 5 for more information.

Jazz Notes: Gershwin Piano Concerto

Thursday, July 2 @ 8PM | Kaul Auditorium, Reed College

SAMUEL BARBER String Quartet in B Minor

LEMBIT BEECHER Stories from my Grandmother

GEORGE GERSHWIN Piano Concerto (Trans. Kit Armstrong)

FEATURING: Kit Armstrong (piano), Yoko Greeney (piano), Braizahn Jones (bass), Wonkak Kim (clarinet), Amelia Lukas (flute), Mikio Sasaki (trumpet), Alicia Waite (horn), Lucy Wang (violin), Tate Zawadiuk (cello), Viano Quartet

An Evening with Kit Armstrong: Liszt’s Pilgrimage

Friday, July 3 @ 8PM | Kaul Auditorium, Reed College

CHOPIN Selections from Ètudes, Op. 10

ALKAN Selections

LISZT Eight Variations Faust Symphony Prometheus Harmonies poétiques et religieuses III

Ave Maria (Die Glocken von Rom) Années de pèlerinage III

FEATURING: Kit Armstrong (piano)

Folk Voices: Dvořák Dumky Trio

Sunday, July 5 @ 4PM | Lincoln Performance Hall, PSU

REENA ESMAIL String Quartet World Premiere CMNW Co-Commission

ZOLTÁN KODÁLY Adagio

LEOS JANÁCEK Pohádka (Fairytale)

DVORÁK Piano Trio, "Dumky"

FEATURING: Kit Armstrong (piano), Wenting Kang (viola), Soovin Kim (violin), Peter Stumpf (cello), Viano Quartet

CMNW presents Oregon Bach Festival: Celebratory Cantatas

Monday, July 6 @ 8PM | Kaul Auditorium, Reed College

J. S. BACH Cantata 201: “The Contest Between Phoebus and Pan” Cantata 207: Vereinigte Zwietracht der wechselnden Saiten

FEATURING: Jos van Veldhoven (conductor), Berwick Academy Orchestra, Ilse Eerens (soprano), Carley Defranco (soprano, ripienist), Sylvia Leith (alto), Rhianna Cockrell (alto, ripienist), Julian Habermann (tenor), Steven Soph (tenor), Tobias Berndt (bass), Edmund Milly (bass)

WEEK THREE: Musical Postcards

FRITZ KREISLER Marche Miniature Viennoise Viennese Rhapsodic Fantasietta

DONGHOON SHIN Sonnets to Orpheus for Mezzo-soprano and String Quartet U.S. Premiere CMNW Co-Commission

BRAHMS Piano Quartet in G Minor

FEATURING: Gloria Chien (piano), Jennifer Frautschi (violin), Alexander Hersh (cello), Jennifer Johnson Cano (mezzo-soprano), Erin Keefe (violin), Lesley Robertson (viola), Sam Rosenthal (viola), Peter Stumpf (cello), Claire Wells (violin)

An Evening with Chris Thile: Master of the Mandolin

Friday, July 10 @ 8PM | Kaul Auditorium, Reed College See page 2 for more information.

SPECIAL EVENT

Souvenir: Tchaikovsky Sextet

WEEK FOUR: Unity

Thursday, July 16 @ 7:30PM | Patricia Reser Center for the Arts

Saturday, July 18 @ 8PM | Kaul Auditorium, Reed College

W. A. MOZART Clarinet Quintet

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA Grand Tango

GEORGE GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue (Arr. Alistair Coleman)

Sunday, July 12 @ 4PM | Lincoln Performance Hall, PSU Monday, July 13 @ 8PM | Kaul Auditorium, Reed College

MAURICE RAVEL Chansons Madécasses

STEVEN BANKS New Work for Mezzo-soprano and Chamber Ensemble West Coast Premiere CMNW Co-Commission

TCHAIKOVSKY Souvenir de Florence

FEATURING: Steven Banks (saxophone), Jonah Ellsworth (cello), Jennifer Frautschi (violin), Alexander Hersh (cello), Jennifer Johnson Cano (mezzo-soporano), Erin Keefe (violin), Demarre McGill (flute), Jeewon Park (piano), Lesley Robertson (viola), Sam Rosenthal (viola), Peter Stumpf (cello), Claire Wells (violin)

FEATURING: Efe Baltacigil (cello), Jonah Ellsworth (cello), Jon Greeney (percussion), Braizahn Jones (bass), Soovin Kim (violin), Jens Lindemann (trumpet), Sam Rosenthal (viola), David Shifrin (clarinet), Clayton Stephenson (piano), Claire Wells (violin)

Universal Harmony: Schumann Piano Quintet

Sunday, July 19 @ 4PM | Kaul Auditorium, Reed College

BEETHOVEN Clarinet Trio, Op. 11

PONCHIELLI Il Convegno for two clarinets

R. SCHUMANN Piano Quintet

FEATURING: Efe Baltacigil (cello), Gloria Chien (piano), Jonah Ellsworth (cello), Soovin Kim (violin), Anthony McGill (clarinet), Sam Rosenthal (viola), David Shifrin (clarinet), Claire Wells (violin)

NEW@NIGHT CONCERT SERIES

Always surprising and ever-thrilling, our New@Night is an energizing and sonically delightful series. These concerts showcase new and recently written works from some of today’s most innovative composers performed by the festival’s dynamic artists in an inviting setting. Come early to grab a drink and join us for our "meet the composer" dialogue (6PM), enjoy the concert, and stay after to mingle with the artists!

NEW@NIGHT: Echoes of Home

Wednesday, July 1 @ 7PM | The Old Church

GYÖRGY LIGETI Viola Sonata

KIRSTEN VOLNESS Shima Enaga

WU MAN Glimpses of Muqam Chebiyat

KIT ARMSTRONG Etudes de dessin

GYÖRGY LIGETI Musica Ricercata, No. 7

FEATURING: Kit Armstrong (organ, piano), Yoko Greeney (piano), Wenting Kang (viola), Amelia Lukas (flute), Viano Quartet

NEW@NIGHT Lost Freedom: A Memory

Wednesday, July 8 @ 7PM | Alberta Rose Theatre

With music by Portland’s Kenji Bunch and narrated by Christòpheren Nomura, this special event brings George Takei’s script to life. Inspired by autobiographical accounts of the incarceration of Japanese American citizens in World War II, Lost Freedom: A Memory weaves together music and spoken word in a profound exploration of a chilling time in American history. The program also includes music by Paul Wiancko, Giovanni Sollima, and Steven Banks.

PAUL WIANCKO American Haiku

NEW@NIGHT: Across the Americas

Wednesday, July 15 @ 7PM | The Old Church

HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS Jet Whistle

CURTIS STEWART Invention No. 1 “Double Down”

DAVID SERKIN LUDWIG Shekhina

VIVIAN FUNG Rhapsody

CLAYTON STEPHENSON Jazz Transcriptions

FEATURING: Gloria Chien (piano), Jens Lindemann (trumpet), David Shifrin (clarinet), Clayton Stephenson (piano), Soovin Kim ( Claire Wells (violin), Jonah Ellsworth (cello)

GIOVANNI SOLLIMA Lamentatio

STEVEN BANKS Surrender Through My Mother’s Eyes

KENJI BUNCH Lost Freedom: A Memory

FEATURING: Steven Banks (saxophone), Kenji Bunch (viola), Sergio Carreno (percussion), Gloria Chien (piano), Jonah Ellsworth (cello), Jennifer Frautschi (violin), Alexander Hersh (cello), Erin Keefe (violin), Christòpheren Nomura (narrator), Monica Ohuchi (piano), Claire Wells (violin)

PROTÉGÉ SPOTLIGHT SERIES

Chamber music is meant to be up close and personal— our Spotlight Recitals are exactly that! These casual noontime concerts feature CMNW’s exceptional Protégé Artists, performing repertoire thoughtfully chosen to showcase their craft. Over 60–75 minutes, experience exhilarating chamber music by some of the world’s brightest talents, up close in an intimate setting.

Protégé Spotlight Recital: Jonah Ellsworth, Cello

Tuesday, July 7 @ 12PM | Lincoln Recital Hall, PSU

PAUL HINDEMITH Phantasiestück

EUGÈNE YSAYE Solo Sonata

BRAHMS Sonata in F Major

FEATURING: Jonah Ellsworth (cello), Gloria Chien (piano) :

Lincoln Recital Hall, PSU

(Arr. K. Bolding)

R. SCHUMANN Adagio and Allegro

ERROLLYN WALLEN LAVINIA

FRANK BRIDGE Pensiero and Allegro appassionato

PAUL HINDEMITH Sonata Op. 11, No. 4

FEATURING: Sam Rosenthal (viola), Jeewon Park (piano)

SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES ON SALE NOW

HOW WILL YOU EXPERIENCE OUR CONFLUENCE: OUR SHARED VOICES

2026 Summer Festival Package Options

• PICK YOUR FIVE-CONCERT PACKAGE Select & reserve seats in advance

• FLEX PASS This is ultimate flexibility to use these seats as you wish

• NEW@NIGHT Explore music by living composers on Wednesday evenings

• PROTÉGÉ ARTIST SPOTLIGHT RECITALS Noon on Tuesdays | 2 concerts

Need help selecting your concerts? Just email the Ticket Office with a general idea of what you interested in, and we will get back to you (by phone or email) to offer a couple of package options.

Our Subscribers Enjoy:

Subscriber Packages

series $120

NOTE: CMNW employs dynamic pricing. As a subscriber you lock in the lowest ticket price and it will never change.

Chris Thile in Concert

Sure to sell out, add this special concert to your subscription package now for best seats!

Premium $85 (non-subscriber $100)

Select $75 (non-subscriber $90)

Access $50 (non-subscriber $60)

40 & UNDER $40 (non-subscriber $50)

18 & UNDER $30 (non-subscriber $40)

NEW@NIGHT $40

PROTÉGÉ SPOTLIGHT $40