2025-2026 season

This season focuses on Meditation-the musical and physical intersection of rhythm, breath, and beauty.

performers:

Maria Schluening, Mariana Cottier-Bucco, & Nora Scheller; violins

Sarah Kienle, viola

Jennifer Choi, cello

Jonathan Cziner & Liudmila Georgievskaya, piano

SPIRITUAL MEDITATION

Saturday, September 27, 2025
3:00 PM — 5:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church of Dallas (map)

Our 51st season begins with a celebration of composer Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday. Experience the profound simplicity and spirituality of his iconic works Spiegel Im Spiegel and Fratres, alongside other meditative works by composers Aaron Jay Kernis, Dallas-based Hee-Yun Kim, and Carlos Simon.

program:

Arvo Pärt: Spiegel Im Spiegel

Hee Yun Kim: Scattered Minds

Carlos Simon: be still and know

Aaron Jay Kernis: Musica celestis

Pärt: Fratres

Performers:

Ebonee Thomas, flute

Wilhelm Magner, viola

Emily Levin, harp

‘twas wind

Saturday, November 8, 2025
3:00 PM — 5:00 PM
Grace United Methodist Church (map)

Music that merges breath and wind, ‘Twas Wind showcases the idea of Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese word for “forest bathing.” Join us as we meditate in musical nature set amongst the stunning sound world of flute, viola and harp.

program:

Fred Onovwerosuoke: Trio for Flute, Viola and Harp  

Claude Debussy: Sonata for flute, viola and harp

Tōru Takemitsu: And Then I Knew ‘Twas Wind

Airat Ichmouratov: Fujin’s Dream, op. 58
 

performers:

Emily Levin, harp

mid-century modern

Saturday, January 10, 2026
3:00 PM — 5:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church of Dallas (map)

Settle into the musical aesthetics of mid-century and modern harp works featuring Dallas Symphony Principal Harp Emily Levin.

program:

Benjamin Britten: Suite for Harp

Caroline Lizotte: Suite Galactique

Germaine Tailleferre: Sonata

Alfredo Casella: Sonata for Harp

Jonathan Cziner: Music for the Temple

Elliott Carter: Bariolage

Carlos Salzedo: Ballade

ecstatic meditation

Saturday, May 23, 2026
3:00 PM — 5:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church of Dallas (map)

Our season of musical meditation culminates with two world premieres by Shih-Hui Chen and Artistic Director Jonathan Cziner, as well as the Texas premiere of Ecstatic Meditation by Paul Frucht.


program:

Pauline Oliveros: work to be announced

Paul Frucht: Ecstatic Meditation

Shih-Hui Chen: Mirror Lake, Wandering Sky*

Jonathan Cziner: Sick Beats*

*world premiere, VoC commission