The Festival takes place June 4–8 with internationally-recognized musicians and Iowa local artists
Drake University is pleased to announce the fifth season of the Zenith Chamber Music Festival, June 4–8, 2019. The Zenith Chamber Music Festival is a family-friendly, annual summer concert series that brings world-class musicians to Central Iowa. For the last four years, the music festival has been enhancing arts in the community by providing concert-goers a free, unique cultural experience in some of the most attractive venues Des Moines has to offer.
“We are incredibly excited for this year’s program that will kick-off with a major headliner, cellist Amit Peled. And by moving the festival to early June, we will be strengthening our educational component with local schools and students,” said Artistic Director Ashley Sidon, the Briggs Endowed Professor of Cello at Drake University.
Zenith commands a unique identity as a festival that celebrates highly acclaimed artists who bring fresh and innovative ideas to Des Moines audiences, while at the same time, showcasing select local artists. With the new timeframe for the festival, young artists and students will have more opportunities to learn directly from the guest artists and perform alongside them in special pre-concert features. In addition, this year’s jazz concert will be held at Noce Jazz Cabaret in Des Moines through a generous sponsorship by the team at Noce.
Learn more about becoming a donor of the Zenith Chamber Music Festival to help provide free performances across Des Moines for years to come. This year’s free concert series dates, times, and locations are:
Tuesday, June 4, 7:30 p.m.
Opening Night and Gala Concert with internationally acclaimed cellist, Amit Peled
Reception for event donors to follow the concert, including complimentary bar access and an opportunity to talk with the musicians.
Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University
2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50311
Wednesday, June 5, 6 p.m.
Concert inside the winery
Jasper Winery
2400 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines, IA 50321
Thursday, June 6, 7 p.m.
Jazz music with special guest Damani Phillips; concert sponsored by Noce
Noce Jazz-Cabaret
1326 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Friday, June 7, 7:30 p.m.
Walnut Hills United Methodist Church
12321 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50323
Saturday, June 8, 7:30 p.m.
Closing concert
Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University
2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
Featured musicians include:
Amit Peled, cellist, opening night headliner. Amit is a musician of profound artistry and charismatic stage presence and is acclaimed worldwide as one of the most exciting and virtuosic instrumentalists on the concert stage today.
Ashley Sander Sidon, cellist and festival artistic director, and Briggs Endowed Professor of Cello at Drake University
Anna Reider, violin, Concert Mistress of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Helen Hwaya Kim, violin, performs with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Atlanta Opera Orchestra
Sheldon Person, viola, Assistant Principal Viola with the Houston Symphony
Paula Kosower, cello, cellist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Kelly Kuo, pianist and conductor of the Oregon Mozart Players
The Zenith Chamber Music Festival is a non-profit entity of Drake University, supported by grants and donations. In addition to private individual donors, there are new and exciting corporate and foundation sponsorship opportunities for organizations interested in supporting the arts in Central Iowa through innovative programming. More information about the festival is available at http://zenith.wp.drake.edu.