The Vail Series

Rita Moreno for The Vail Series

Upcoming Events

Here are just a few notable speakers from past years:
  • Itzhak Perlman
  • Yo-Yo Ma
  • Renée Fleming
  • Wynton Marsalis
  • Jessye Norman
  • Chris Thile and Edgar Meyer

About the Series

Welcome to Vail 24-25!

This is a year of celebrations. As we celebrate Swasey Chapel’s 100th, we welcome legendary singer, dancer, and actress Rita Moreno to The Hill for a one-night engagement in a riveting conversation with Denison President Adam Weinberg. Mark your calendars for September 15 for the rededication of the completely refurbished and updated 1924 Austin organ with a concert by Nathan Laube. Old friends and new come together to bring you the American Patchwork Quartet. Lara Downes will celebrate the centennial of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with our own Denison Symphony Orchestra. Lorelei Ensemble, an all female vocal ensemble, collaborates with dance company Pilobolus for a two-night
engagement. The Merz Trio will astonish you with their virtuosity and musicality,
capping off an exciting season for all.

About The Vail Series

The Vail Series was endowed by a generous gift from the late Mary and Foster McGaw in honor of Jeanne Vail, class of 1946. Just as it was intended to do, the Series enriches the artistic experience of the entire Denison community, giving us the opportunity for faculty, staff, and Denison students to attend concerts with world-renowned artists for free. Programmed creatively with the mindful pursuit of learning across traditional academic boundaries, the Vail Series was directed by Lorraine Wales from its inception in 1979-2013 and by Michael Morris from 2013-2019. Ching-chu Hu is currently the Director of the Vail Series.

Since 1979, more than 200 individual Vail Series artists have found their way to Denison’s classrooms and stages, but that doesn’t include the dozens of ensembles or full symphony orchestras that have played here over the years. And some stay for a while. Last time he was here, Bobby McFerrin presented two concerts, performing with ten student groups over the two-night engagement. Many artists arrive on campus days ahead of their concert to visit classes and student groups.

The Vail Series really is much more than a series of concerts by world-class artists. It’s seeing Yo-Yo Ma or Béla Fleck or Ladysmith Black Mambazo or the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine. You’ll see them on a small stage, six feet away from your front-row seat, knowing they’ll be spending enough time here to interact with students personally and answer a question if you have one.

The Vail Series joins in bringing the contemporary classical Grammy Award-winning string quartet ETHEL, who have been awarded honorary degrees for their impact at Denison, and Grammy Award-winning Third Coast Percussion to campus, each for two full weeks a year, as Denison’s ensembles-in-residence. They take the arts from the performance stage to classrooms. They play in a variety of surprising locations across campus, and often just grab lunch and chat with students in the student union.

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Sights & Sounds

Ethel Perfomance detail 1
Ethel Perfomance detail 2
Ethel Perfomance detail 3
Ethel Perfomance detail 4
Dafrakura Performance detail 1
Dafrakura Performance detail 2
Dafrakura Performance detail 3
Dafrakura Performance detail 4
Dafrakura Performance detail 5
Dafrakura Performance detail 6
Regina Carter Performance 1
Regina Carter with students 1
Regina Carter Performance 2
Regina Carter with students 2
Regina Carter in the classroom
Regina Carter Performance 3

Series Archives

2002 - 2003

Eroica Trio with Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra
The most sought-after trio in the world, the Grammy-nominated Eroica Trio thrills audiences with flawless technical virtuosity, irresistible enthusiasm and sensual elegance. ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, founded in 1978, presents the best of traditional chamber orchestra repertoire and promotes a true appreciation of contemporary American music.
Jubilant Sykes Schubert To Showboat
Charismatic baritone Jubilant Sykes brings a new dimension to the career of a classically trained singer by drawing on gospel and jazz influences to deliver performances in differing musical genres. Sykes says My singing is like breathing ” it™s an extension of me. I don™t think of it is extraordinary. It™s my passion. This is Sykes second appearance at Denison.

2001 - 2002

Chucho Valdes
Winner of seven Grammy awards, including three Latin Grammys, Cuban-born Dionisio Jesus Chucho Valdes is a pianist and composer who has been called a faucet, a river and a flood of music. His quartet consists of vocals, bass, drums, percussion and Valdes himself at the piano.
Christopher Parkening & Jubilant Sykes
Christopher Parkening is celebrated as one of the world™s preeminent virtuosos of the classical guitar. Charismatic baritone Jubilant Sykes brings a new dimension to a traditional career of the classically trained singer by drawing on gospel and jazz influences to deliver performances in differing musical genres.
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
Originally founded in 1951 by Samuil Samosud as the Moscow Youth Orchestra, the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra was given its current title in 1953. The prize-winning Moscow Philharmonic has performed in more than 4,000 concerts and has made over 100 recordings.
John Bayless
Pianist, composer, and recording artisit John Bayless made his stage debut in 1997 with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. The New York Times proclaimed that Bayless is an evocative pianist with a lovely piano sound and considerable personal pizzazz. This is his third appearance at Denison.

2000 - 2001

"Habitats"
Denison University Fine Arts faculty and guest artists unite to create an improvisational performance. Habitats is a unique multimedia collaboration of dance, music and visual arts that explores the tactile environment of both the physical world and the metaphysical within.
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is known for its collaborative leadership style, in which the musicians, not a conductor, interpret the score. Recognized internationally as one of the world™s great orchestras, Orpheus has been playing to music lovers on four continents since 1972.
Christopher O'Riley
Artist, pianist and national media personality, Christopher O™Riley has dazzled the world on stage, over airwaves, and with his recordings. With his powerful interpretations of classical and contemporary repertoires, O™Riley has redei¬ned the possibilities of classical music.
Rachel Barton & Mark O' Connor
The Washington Post called award-winning Rachel Barton an exciting, boundary-defying performer. This is Barton™s second appearance at Denison. Mark O™Connor, one of the most talented and imaginative artists in music, is a product of America™s rich aural folk tradition as well as classical music.

1999 - 2000

Bobby Mc Ferrin
A ten-time Grammy Award winner, Bobby McFerrin is one of the world™s best-known vocal innovators and improvisers and a classical conductor. His recordings have sold over 20 million copies, and his collaborations include those with Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, the Vienna Philharmonic, and Herbie Hancock. This is his second appearance at Denison.
Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott
One of the world's foremost cellists, Yo-Yo Ma has produced a phenomenal body of work, of his 75 albums, 15 have won Grammy awards. His multi-faceted career is testament to his continual search for new ways to communicate with audiences, and to his personal desire for artistic growth and renewal. This is his fourth appearance at Denison.
Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman has earned the superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician. One of the preeminent violin virtuosos of the 20th century, he has performed for presidents and royalty and was awarded the National Medal of Arts and Kennedy Center Honors.

1998 - 1999

Netherlands Symphony Orchestra & Eliane Rodrigues
A leading light on the Dutch musical firmament, the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra guarantees adventurous symphonic programming and a plethora of concertante opera performances. A native of Rio de Janeiro, pianist and composer Eliane Rodrigues™ musical talent has been accorded both acclaim and accolades.
"Taking Sides" Featuring Jon Farris
Jon Farris has spent an illustrious career acting, directing and teaching theater. From 1981 until 2002 he chaired the Theater Department at Denison University where he admirably performed each of these separate disciplines. Ferris performs in Taking Sides, a play about the holocaust by Ronald Harwood.
Harolyn Blackwell
Soprano Harolyn Blackwell is recognized for her expressive and exuberant performances, with a career that has spanned opera, concert and recital stages around the world. Ms. Blackwell is a recipient of numerous awards and honors, and has performed in several acclaimed concert series throughout the world.
Rachel Barton
Violinist Rachel Barton has received worldwide acclaim for her virtuosic technical mastery, lustrous tone and perceptive performances. She brings emotionally charged, historically-informed interpretations to her diverse repertoire. The Washington Post called the award-winning Barton an exciting, boundary-defying performer.

1997 - 1998

Borromeo String Quartet & Friends
The critically acclaimed Borromeo String Quartet is sought after throughout the world. The Chicago Tribune calls the Quartet a remarkably accomplished string quartet, not simply for its high technical polish and refined tone, but also for the searching musical insights it brings. This is their second appearance at Denison.
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra & Emanuel Ax
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra the nation™s only full-time professional chamber orchestra, is widely regarded as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world. Renowned for his poetic temperament and unsurpassed virtuosity, Emanuel Ax is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of our time.
Sergio & Odair Assad
Brazilian-born brothers SA©rgio and Odair Assad have created a new standard of guitar innovation, ingenuity and expression. Their exceptional artistry and uncanny ensemble performances have inspired a wide range of composers to write for them, creating and introducing new music for two guitars.
Joshua Redmond Christian Mcbride & Brian Blade
One thing I've discovered about myself, the jazz artist Joshua Redmond says, is that I'm an eclectic as a person and as a musician. Saxophonist, recording artist and composer, Redmond is known for communicating the sheer joy and exhilaration of live music-making.

1996 - 1997

Morgan State Choir
Known for their consistency of excellent performances, the Morgan State Choir has shared its musical gifts on many grand stages all over the world. The choir is noted for its emphasis on preserving the heritage of the spiritual, especially in the historic practices of performance.
Andre Laplante
Canadian pianist AndrA© Laplante has firmly established himself as one of the great romantic virtuosos. He garnered international attention after winning prizes at the Geneva and Sydney International Piano Competitions with his deep musical sensibility and expressive depth.
Tricia Park
Praised by critics for her astounding virtuosic gifts (Boston Herald) and stunning and rich-toned sound (The New York Times), Tricia Park is a recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant has also given recitals throughout the United States and abroad.
Leontyne Price
Operatic soprano and national treasure Leontyne Price has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of the Arts, and 19 Grammy awards, including a special Lifetime Achievement Award. This is her second appearance at Denison.

1995 - 1996

James Galway
Since 1975, when Sir James launched his solo flute career, he has continuously performed with the world's leading orchestras and conductors, participated in chamber music engagements and popular music concerts. From Galway™s lips have come definitive treatments of classical repertoire and masterworks by Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart.
Jazz From Lincoln Center & Wynton Marsalis
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center is dedicated to inspiring and growing audiences for jazz with performances and broadcast events for all ages. Marsalis is an internationally acclaimed musician, composer, bandleader, educator, and a leading advocate of American culture.
The King'S Singers
One of the world™s most celebrated vocal groups, The King™s SingersA have a packed schedule of concerts, recordings, media and education work that spans the globe. Championing the work of young and established composers, they remain consummate entertainers; a class act with a delightfully British wit.
James H. Cone (Union Theological Seminary)
"Martin and Malcolm and Black Theology"
"What Makes It Great?"
For more than a decade, Robert Kapilow has brought the joy and wonder of classical music “ and unraveled some of its mysteries “ to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. As the Boston Globe said, Rob Kapilow is awfully good at what he does. We need him.

1994 - 1995

Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Known for its superlative performances and award-winning recordings, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields maintains an international concert schedule alongside its performances with Sir Neville Marriner and Kenneth Sillito.
Richard Stoltzman's "Music & Light"
Two-time Grammy Award winning clarinetist Richard Stoltzman™s virtuosity, technique, imagination, and communicative power have revolutionized the world of clarinet playing, opening up possibilities for the instrument that no one could have predicted.

1993 - 1994

Borromeo String Quartet
Since their explosive debut in 1989, the Borromeo String Quartet has become sought after throughout the world. The Chicago Tribune calls the Quartet a remarkably accomplished string quartet, not simply for its high technical polish and refined tone, but also for the searching musical insights it brings.
Columbus Symphony Orchestra & Sarah Chang
Founded in 1951, the Columbus Symphony is the only full-time professional symphony in central Ohio. Through an array of innovative artistic, educational, and community outreach programming, the Columbus Symphony is reaching a growing and diverse audience with great music.
The Canadian Brass
Five tremendous brass musicians ” each a virtuoso in his own right ” form the legendary Canadian Brass. With an international reputation as one of the most popular brass ensembles today, Canadian Brass has earned the distinction of the world™s most famous brass group.
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. Hailed as a global renaissance woman, she is a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist.

1992 - 1993

Rhythm In Shoes
Rooted in traditional forms of American music and dance”swing tunes & tap, hoedowns & clogging”the varied repertoire of Rhythm in Shoes, directed by choreographer Sharon Leahy and composer Rick Good, infused the spirit of traditional dance with a thoroughly modern sensibility.
The Red Stars Red Army Chorus And Dance Ensemble
The history of legendary Red Star Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble began in 1929. The songs they perform range from Russian folk tunes to church hymns, operatic arias and popular music. After the Soviet period, the ensemble began entertaining audiences outside Russia.

1991 - 1992

Turtle Island String Quartet
The Turtle Island String Quartet was the first string quartet to achieve artistic and commercial success integrating jazz improvisation, jazz rhythms and comping. Their extensive repertoire highlight their versatility by bridging Bluegrass, European classical music, funk, jazz, Latin American music, and Indian classical music.
Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra
The beloved Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra was born of a concert series, founded in 1966, at Lincoln Center in New York. American Gernard Schwarz was music director of the Mostly Mozart Festival from 1982-2001.
John Bayless
John Bayless has been proclaimed by The New York Times as an evocative classical pianist with a lovely piano sound and extraordinary stage presence. This is his second appearance on Denison™s Vail Series.

1990 - 1991

The King's Singers
One of the world™s most celebrated vocal groups, The King™s SingersA have a packed schedule of concerts, recordings, media and education work that spans the globe. Championing the work of composers, they remain consummate entertainers with a delightfully British wit. This is their second appearance at Denison.
Tian Ying
Pianist Tian Ying made his first public appearance with the Shanghai Symphony at age l0. He has drawn widespread enthusiasm from both concert audiences and critics since capturing honors in the Eighth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in l989.
The New World & Gilbert Munguia
The New World Symphony Orchestra is America™s only orchestral academy dedicated to preparing gifted graduates from distinguished music conservatories for successful careers in symphony orchestras and ensembles. Cellist Gilberto Munguia has performed all over Europe, Asia, North America and South America.

1989 - 1990

Sweet Honey In The Rock
Founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon in 1973 at the D.C. Black Repertory Theater Company, Sweet Honey In The Rock, internationally renowned a cappella ensemble, has been a vital and innovative presence in the music culture of Washington, D.C., and in communities of conscience around the world.
The Jupiter Symphony
Founded by the defiantly unconventional Jens Nygaard in 1979, the Jupiter Symphony was known for what The New York Times called its founders™ taste for unappreciated repertory. Jupiter concerts included works by Johann Christian Bach, Carl Reinecke, Leopold Mozart and Carl Busch.
Yo-Yo Ma & Jeffrey Kahane
World-renowned cellist and composer Yo-Yo Ma returns to Denison for his third appearance, this time with pianist Jeffrey Kahane, who is recognized internationally by audiences around the world for his mastery of diverse repertoire from Bach to Gershwin.

1988 - 1989

John Bayless
John Bayless has an extraordinary imagination, sly wit, tremendous musicality and an imposing technique, according to High Fidelity Magazine, and has been proclaimed by The New York Times as an evocative pianist with a lovely piano sound and considerable personal pizzazz.
Erie Mills
Soprano Erie Mills dazzles audiences with her sparkling coloratura voice, captivating personality, and vivid portrayals of operatic roles. She has performed in the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Vienna Staatsoper, English National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and New York City Opera.
Joshua Bell
Since his first LP recording at age 18, Joshua Bell has enchanted audiences worldwide with his breathtaking virtuosity and tone of rare beauty. His restless curiosity and multifaceted musical interests have taken him in exciting new directions that have earned him the rare title of classical music superstar.
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