The Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester is pleased to announce several details of the 2025-26 Eastman Presents season. The concerts are organized into five categories: the Kilbourn Concert Series, the Eastman Piano Series, the Eastman-Ranlet Series, the Barbara B. Smith World Music Series, and the Kodak Hall Series. These performances feature some of the world’s greatest artists performing in the spectacular halls of the Eastman School of Music: the acoustic and historic splendor of Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre; Kilbourn Hall, one of the finest chamber music halls in the world; and Hatch Recital Hall, a gorgeous, modern performance space.
Adjacent to the 2025-26 Eastman Presents season is a newly established film music festival called Soundtrax—presented by the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music and Hajim School of Engineering—which aims to explore the intersection of music and technology. This three-day event includes special performances in Kodak and Kilbourn Halls, listed below.
“This lineup for the 2025-26 season brings a wide range of extraordinary artists to Rochester,” shares Kate Sheeran, Eastman’s Joan and Martin Messinger Dean. “There are those who are well-known to our audiences, and many that we will welcome for the first time. I hope you will join us for concerts across the musical spectrum!”
Tickets to all concerts are now available for purchase at EastmanTheatre.org unless otherwise noted. As in years past, stay tuned for additional concerts to be added throughout the season.
Kilbourn Concert Series in Kilbourn Hall
Mark Padmore & Paul Lewis | Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Two of Robert Schumann’s best-known song cyles, Dichterliebe and Eichendorff Lieder, are presented here by the lieder “dream team” (New York Times) of Padmore and Lewis.
Terri Lyne Carrington: We Insist! (Reimagined) | Friday, October 3, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
One of the seminal works of jazz as protest, We Insist! (Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite) was first released in 1961 by Max Roach in collaboration with Abbey Lincoln and lyricist Oscar Brown, Jr. through Candid Records. In honor of Roach’s centennial (2024), GRAMMY award-winning drummer-producer Terri Lyne Carrington has recorded the “Freedom Now Suite” by sonically reimagining the album, while maintaining the poignant social justice message of We Insist! Carrington acknowledges the relevance of Roach’s legacy in today’s fight for freedom and the future of jazz.
Seth Parker Woods, Julia Bullock & Conor Hanick | Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
GRAMMY-nominated cellist Seth Parker Woods has made a name for himself as a “cellist of power and grace” (The Guardian) with an unconventional career that encompasses contemporary music, performing art, improvisation, and traditional classical music. Woods teams up with GRAMMY award-winning soprano Julia Bullock ’09E, “one of the strongest American actor-singers to emerge in recent years” (The New Yorker), and pianist Conor Hanick for a program that features a new commission of Tania Leon alongside works by George Walker ’57E (DMA), John Tavener, Maurice Ravel, André Previn, and Nina Simone.
Sō Percussion, Caroline Shaw, and Ringdown | Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
In Sō’s latest evening-length show, “Who Turns Out the Light?”, the ensemble provides a theatrical performance of songs by Caroline Shaw and Sō Percussion, featuring Ringdown. Spanning years of working together across several albums, this event is a band-generated theatrical experience, featuring staging and design by Director Mark DeChiazza. The musicians gradually place lights and reveal novel instruments as the show builds from a lone spotlight on Shaw to the ecstatic full ensemble performing thrilling up-tempo songs like “Sing On” and “To the Sky,” as films by Sō Percussion member Jason Treuting ’99E splash across canvases throughout the stage. This production melds DIY design with dazzling original songs, to sensational effect.
Camerata RCO | Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. (Tickets coming soon!)
Formed by members of Amsterdam’s famed Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO), Camerata RCO performs chamber music in multiple formations from duet to small chamber orchestra, with a special focus on the Classical and Romantic repertoire for winds and strings, and active relationships with living composers.
Eastman Piano Series in Kilbourn Hall
Stewart Goodyear | Friday, October 10, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Proclaimed “a phenomenon” by the Los Angeles Times and “one of the best pianists of his generation” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Stewart Goodyear is an accomplished concert pianist, improviser, and composer. Goodyear has performed with, and has been commissioned by, many of the major orchestras and chamber music organizations around the world.
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet | Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
The dynamic French virtuoso, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet makes his Eastman Piano Series debut with selections from Maurice Ravel’s complete works for solo piano. An unrivaled artistic feat, this program includes the composer’s most famous works, including delightful miniatures beloved by both pianists and listeners.
Sir Stephen Hough | Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
One of the most distinctive artists of his generation, Sir Stephen Hough combines a distinguished career as a pianist with those of composer and writer. Since taking first prize at the 1983 Naumburg Competition in New York, Sir Stephen has appeared with most of the major European, Asian, and American orchestras and plays recitals regularly in major halls and concert series around the world—from London’s Royal Festival Hall to New York’s Carnegie Hall. In 2014 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honors in 2022.
Eastman-Ranlet Series in Kilbourn Hall
Ying Quartet | Sundays at 3:00 p.m. — October 5, 2025; February 1, 2026; April 19, 2026
The Ying Quartet occupies a position of unique prominence in the classical music world, combining communicative performances with a fearlessly imaginative view of chamber music in today’s world. As quartet-in-residence at the Eastman School of Music, the ensemble performs three Eastman-Ranlet Series concerts during the season.
Zemlinsky Quartet | Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Founded in 1994 while the members were still students, the Zemlinsky Quartet has become a much lauded example of the Czech string quartet tradition. The Zemlinsky Quartet won the First Grand Prize at the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition in 2010, and has been awarded top prizes at the Banff International String Quartet Competition, Prague Spring International Music Competition, and London International String Quartet Competition where it also received the Audience Prize.
Doric Quartet | Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
The Doric String Quartet brings an elegance and intimacy both to the classical canon and new music, with the depth and integrity of its interpretations winning fans across the world. Having performed cycles of Haydn, Mendelssohn, Britten, and Bartók at famous international venues—including Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Vienna Konzerthaus, and Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie—they now turn their attention to Beethoven. Being praised by The Times as “a joy,” this series will culminate in 2026–27 with the 200th anniversary of the composer’s death.
Barbara B. Smith World Music Series
Vieux Farka Touré | Friday, September 26, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in Kilbourn Hall
Often referred to as “The Hendrix of the Sahara,” Vieux Farka Touré was born in Niafunké, Mali in 1981 and is the son of legendary Malian guitar player Ali Farka Touré. In 2022, he released a long-awaited collaborative album called “Ali” with the Houston-based, psych-rock superstars Khruangbin—an album on which the artists join forces to pay homage to Vieux’s father by reimagining eight of his songs together. The album was an instant hit around the globe, immediately getting millions of streams, enormous critical acclaim and even earning the praise of Sir Elton John who called it “one of the albums of the year – absolutely wonderful music.”
Ballake Sissko, kora & Derek Gripper, guitar | Thursday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Hatch Recital Hall (Tickets coming soon!)
Malian virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko, widely considered to be one of the greatest touring kora players, joins Derek Gripper, South Africa’s leading guitarist, whose love of the kora set him transcribing and recording some of its greatest works, changing the face of classical guitar, and giving the instrument its very first African repertoire.
In this concert the artists look at the unbroken musical tradition of the griots of Mali—through French occupation and colonization, it still emerged as one of humanity’s most astonishing aural traditions.
Kodak Hall Series in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones feat. Jeff Coffin & Alash | Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Looking for something a little different this holiday season? Join us for Jingle All the Way, an extremely hip holiday show based on the GRAMMY-winning CD from Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and featuring Jeff Coffin & Alash. “Jingle All the Way does what all great Christmas records ought to: keep the essence of the underlying songs while bringing out something new and unexpected to make them fresh and worth another listen.” (Associated Press)
Disney-Pixar’s Up in Concert | Friday, February 13, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. (Tickets coming soon!)
The unforgettable animated classic Up returns to the big screen with Michael Giacchino’s Oscar- and Grammy award-winning score performed live to picture! Follow the unlikely duo of a curmudgeonly 78-year-old balloon salesman and his 8-year-old stowaway on this hilarious, heartwarming journey to a lost world filled with danger and surprises.
Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens | Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998 as a reminder that even as rapid globalization resulted in division, it brought extraordinary possibilities for working together. Seeking to understand this dynamic, he recognized the historical Silk Road as a model for cultural collaboration – for the exchange of ideas, tradition, and innovation across borders.
Today, under the leadership of Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, Silkroad creates music that engages difference, sparking radical cultural collaboration, and passion-driven learning for a more hopeful and inclusive world, materializing on their program: Sanctuary – The Power and Resonance of Ritual.
NEW THIS YEAR!
Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester presents the inaugural
Soundtrax Film Music Festival | October 16-18, 2025
Film Scores Live! “The Movie Music of Terence Blanchard” | Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in Kodak Hall
GRAMMY-winning, Oscar-nominated composer and esteemed jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard will appear in person to perform highlights from his iconic film scores, such as Spike Lee’s 25th Hour, Malcolm X and BlacKkKlansman. Performed by Blanchard, Gateways Festival Orchestra and Blanchard’s quintet, The E-Collective.
Interstellar in Concert | Friday, October 17, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. at Third Presbyterian Church
Roger Sayer, the original organist for Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar score, will play his arrangement of the inventive and soaring music on the historic Sanctuary Organ of Rochester’s Third Presbyterian Church, located just a few blocks from Eastman (4 Meigs St.). Sayer will also share stories of his experiences working with Zimmer and film director Christopher Nolan.
The Red Violin in Concert | Friday, October 17, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in Kodak Hall
A rare performance of Academy Award-winning composer John Corigliano’s The Red Violin by the Eastman Philharmonia, featuring celebrated violinist and Eastman faculty member YooJin Jang, with special guest conductor Jeff Beal ’85E. Corigliano’s lush score follows a mysterious antique violin as it travels through four centuries, impacting all who come in contact with it.
“John Williams Reimagined” | Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in Kilbourn Hall (Tickets coming soon!)
A concert celebration of the film music of legendary composer John Williams, with pieces from his iconic film scores “reimagined” for cello, flute, and piano, featuring musicians who have played on several of Williams’ original recordings: Sara Andon, flute; Cecilia Tsan, cello; and Simone Pedroni, piano. Film scores represented include Star Wars, Schindler’s List, Dracula, Far And Away, Hook, Witches of Eastwick, and E.T.
To learn more about the aforementioned performances and other upcoming concerts, visit our website. Please note that each semester Eastman also invites a rotation of its esteemed educators to perform in Faculty Artist Series concerts (details forthcoming).
Tickets to all Eastman Presents concerts can be purchased online, in person at the Eastman Theatre Box Office (located at 433 East Main Street; hours: M-F 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) or by calling 585-274-3000.
Media only: Lauren Sageer, Assistant Director of Public Relations and Digital Content, (585) 451-8492, lsageer@esm.rochester.edu
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About Eastman School of Music:
The Eastman School of Music was founded in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman (1854–1932), founder of Eastman Kodak Company. It was the first professional school of the University of Rochester. Mr. Eastman’s dream was that his school would provide a broad education in the liberal arts as well as superb musical training.
More than 900 students are enrolled in the Collegiate Division of the Eastman School of Music—about 500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. They come from almost every state, and approximately 23 percent are from other countries. They are taught by a faculty comprising more than 170 highly regarded performers, composers, conductors, scholars, and educators. They are Pulitzer Prize winners, GRAMMY winners, Emmy winners, Guggenheim fellows, ASCAP Award recipients, published authors, recording artists, and acclaimed musicians who have performed in the world’s greatest concert halls. Each year, Eastman’s students, faculty members, and guest artists present more than 900 concerts to the Rochester community. Additionally, more than 1,700 members of the Rochester community, from young children through senior citizens, are enrolled in the Eastman Community Music School.
About the University of Rochester:
The University of Rochester is one of the nation’s leading private research universities, one of only 62-member institutions in the Association of American Universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives undergraduates exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and the Memorial Art Gallery.