Our 19th Season
This is What Our City Sounds Like
concertnova launches season 19 with
community-rooted collaborations.
EMBARGOED UNTIL AUGUST 15
CINCINNATI, OH – Now in its 19th season, concertnova is launching a new model for programming, one rooted in direct collaboration with community partners. Long known for adventurous concert formats and interdisciplinary work, the ensemble is deepening its relationship with Cincinnati by co-creating each event with local organizations. These aren’t advisory roles; they’re true collaborations. Every project this season is being developed with people who live and work in the neighborhoods where concertnova performs, bringing local voices and histories to the forefront.
“concertnova has always shown us what’s possible with classical music – how unexpected, how beautiful, how alive it can be,” says Executive Director Brianna Matzke. “This season, we’re pushing further. We’re asking: What if every concert idea began as a conversation between neighbors? What if music wasn’t just performed for the community, but with it?”
The 2025–2026 season includes collaborations with international and local artists, including Japanese-British composer Dai Fujikura, Grammy-winning Sandbox Percussion and violinist Kristin Lee, and CSO cellist Nicholas Mariscal, as well as creative partnerships with Wilmington College’s Peace Resource Center, Wave Pool, Indigo Hippo, Heavy Metal Marching Band, a number of immigrant-serving organizations, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Mainstage Concerts
Concertnova’s #mainstage concert series presents large-scale events that put classical music front and center. Expect to hear amazing musical performances and explore new ideas from an interdisciplinary lens.
September 29, 2025 - Borrowed Landscape at the Mercantile Library, with a repeat performance September 30 at the Murphy Theatre in Wilmington. In this theatrical “narratorio” by composer Dai Fujikura and playwright duo Tauchgold, live music and spoken text reflect on war, memory, and healing. Presented with Wilmington College’s Peace Resource Center to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and as part of the Talk Low Festival.
February 8, 2026 - Alma Latina at ARCO in Price Hill. Curated by cellist Nicholas Mariscal and rooted in celebration of Latino and Hispanic heritage, this #mainstage program centers on Latin American composers and the lived experiences of Cincinnati’s immigrant communities. The concert features music spanning a wide range of styles and time periods, from folkloric traditions to modern classical works, highlighting the cultural richness and diversity of Latin America. This program is presented in partnership with a number of local organizations serving immigrant communities of the Cincinnati region.
April 15, 2026 - Cincinnati Sandbox at CCM’s Cohen Family Studio Theater. Grammy-nominated Sandbox Percussion and violinist Kristin Lee explore the beauty of creative reuse in this concert of new music performed on found and recycled objects. Featuring a world premiere by Vivian Fung, a new work by Joan Tower, and partnerships with Wave Pool, Indigo Hippo, and the Heavy Metal Marching Band.
May 7-8, 2026 - From One to Another at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. This immersive walking concert leads audiences through the museum in a chain of musical duos, each responding to specific exhibitions and the building’s location on the Ohio River, a historic gateway to freedom. Featuring music from the past and the present, the program draws meaning from Cincinnati’s history as a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Play-With-Us Experiences
concertnova’s #play-with-us events are interactive unexpected (in a good way) hands-on experiences. Join in with concertnova musicians to make music and see the world creatively.
September 7, 2025 - High Notes at the Peterloon Estate. BYOC (Bring Your Own Cannabis – optional!) and take a guided sonic nature walk, featuring music about nature, altered states, and expanded awareness. The event includes a brand-new interactive technology that transforms trees into playable instruments, inviting participants to perform music with the forest itself.
More #play-with-us events will be announced throughout the season.
About concertnova:
concertnova is a Cincinnati-based chamber music ensemble dedicated to pushing the boundaries of classical music through innovative programming, collaborations, and community engagement. By blending art forms and amplifying diverse voices, concertnova creates immersive musical experiences that resonate with modern audiences.
WHO: concertnova
WHAT: 19th season, 2025/2026
WHEN: see website for full calendar of events
WHERE: Mercantile Library, CCM, ARCO, National Underground Freedom Center, Peterloon and other venues TBA
TICKETS: #mainstage Subscriptions and #play-wish-us add-ons available starting August 15, 2025 at concertnova.com
ABOUT: click here for press kit | click here for info on concertnova |
CONTACT: Brianna Matzke (info@concertnova.com) or Sara Danner Dukic (sara@maiarts.it)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Brianna Matzke
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS: Joseph Bricker, Ixi Chen, Joseph Morris
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