Sphinx Virtuosi &
J’Nai Bridges
Saturday, October 24, 2026
at 7:00 p.m.
Takoma Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Takoma Park, Maryland
Pre-Concert talk with composer Damien Geter at 6:00 p.m.
Masterclass with J’Nai Bridges
Sunday, October 25, 2026, 11:00 am
Washington Adventist University
Community events:
Public school concerts in Montgomery and Prince George’s County Public School Systems: Thursday, October 22, 2026
American250: Sounds of Unity
Rachel McFarlane: American Dialogues
Roberto Sierra: Sinfonietta for Strings
Damien Geter: "Declaration" with J’Nai Bridges, libretto by Aaron Dworkin
*****
Jessie Montgomery: Banner!
Maurice Ravel arr. Mladen Miloradovic: Blues from Violin Sonata
Igor Stravinsky: Concerto in D for string orchestra, “Basle”
To mark the 250th anniversary of America, American Dialogues celebrates the nation’s ever-evolving story through newly commissioned works and reimagined classics that give voice to our shared ideals and diverse perspectives.
Highlights include Rachel McFarlane’s new title work as well as Maurice Ravel’s timeless Blues movement from the Violin Sonata. Works by Roberto Sierra and Jessie Montgomery offer vibrant explorations of heritage and transformation, while Stravinsky’s Concerto for Strings in D connects past and present in a timeless meditation on artistic freedom.
Through music that bridges time and culture, American Dialogues invites audiences to engage in a musical conversation about who we are—and who we aspire to become.
Co-presented with the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts
We are grateful to the following for making great music possible
Those needing special accommodations are invited to contact: concerts@ahwconcerts.org
Christmas in Vienna!
Vienna Boys Choir
Saturday, December 12, 2026
at 7:00 p.m.
Takoma Park, Maryland
The Vienna Boys Choir is one of the world’s most famous and oldest choirs. Boys have sung at Vienna's Imperial Chapelsince at least 1296. In 1498, HolyRoman Emperor Maximilian I established a Court Chapel in Vienna, specifying thatboys be included among the singers—thus laying the foundation for the Choir.
Today, the former imperial ensemble is a private, non-profit organization with a primary and grammar school serving330 boys and girls ages six to nineteen, with a curriculum centered on choral music and singing. The Choir’s education,recognized by UNESCO as cultural heritage, is open to all, regardless of origin, gender, nationality, or religion.
Aristo Sham, piano
Saturday, January 30, 2027
at 7:00 p.m.
Hole Memorial Auditorium
La Sierra, University
Riverside, CA
Pianist Aristo Sham exudes astounding intellect and a deep emotional resonance; a cultivated sophistication and an immediately engaging presence; a penchant to take on the great monuments of the piano repertoire and a natural, infectious spontaneity. This makeup is fueled by a fascination with the world and its rich cultures: he was an international prodigy, is a voracious student of wide-ranging interests, and currently splits his time between three continents.
At the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Aristo found his breakthrough moment, taking home both the gold medal and the audience award. And the critics showered him with imaginative praise, calling him“a marvel of deft characterization,”“consistently authoritative,” “a card-carrying risk taker,” “a dapper, aristocratic figure onstage,” “a pianist I look forward to hearing again” (TheDallas Morning News, Gramophone, Texas Classical Voice). In just two months’ time, he was mentioned in more than 800 news articles, and his Cliburn performance videos were streamed 2 million times across 125countries.
Aristo was featured in the 2009 documentary The World’s Greatest Musical Prodigies on Channel 4 (UK) and has performed for royalty including King Charles. He has concertized across Asia, Europe, and the United States, with major highlights including the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra under Edo de Waart, Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, and Minnesota Orchestra. His 2025–2026debut season as Cliburn winner includes a major tour of Asia through Hong Kong, Taiwan,China, and South Korea, and recitals across the United States.
Program
Piano Sonata #13 in E-Flat major “Quasi una fantasia”, Beethoven
Six Moments Musicaux, Op. 16, Rachmaninov
4 Impromptus, Chopin
Piano Sonata #14 in C-sharp minor “Quasi un fantasia”, Beethoven
Serenade in Brass: A Valentine’s Evening
Canadian Brass
Saturday, February 13, 2027
at 7:00 p.m.
Takoma Park, Maryland
With an international reputation as one of the most popular brass ensembles today, Canadian Brass has truly earnedthe distinction of the world’s most famous brassgroup.
Masters of concert presentations, Canadian Brass has developed a uniquely engaging stage presence and rapport withaudiences. What set Canadian Brass apart from all other performing artists in 1970 was the relentless search forrepertoire that wasboth loved by its performers and embraced by a growing brass audience. Each of their concertsexhibit a full range of musical styles, from trademark Baroque and Dixieland tunes, to Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Joplin,Gershwin and Ellington to ballet, opera andnew compositions and arrangements created especially for them.
With a discography of over 135 albums, Canadian Brass has been an important pioneer in bringing brass music tomass audiences everywhere. They have received a combined total of 24GRAMMYand Juno nominations and wonthe German Echo Award forGoldberg Variations. Their most recent album,Canadiana, features uniquearrangements of many Canadian superstars including Joni MitchellandDrake. Touring legends with an enthusiasticfan base, Canadian Brass play to packed houses worldwide and were the first brass ensemble from the West to performin the People’s Republic of China as well as the first brass group to take the main stage at Carnegie Hall.
Canadian Brass has made appearances onThe TonightShow, Today, Entertainment Tonight, Evening at Pops withJohn Williamsand theBoston Pops, Beverly Sills’ Music Around the World, numerous PBS specials, including acelebrated appearance onSesame Street,and are frequent guests of many major symphony orchestras.
Education continues to be at the forefront of Canadian Brass’ yearly activities. There are over one million CanadianBrass quintet repertoire books in the hands of students in every country with a strong brass tradition.
Joe Burgstaller and Mikio Sasaki, trumpets Jeff Nelsen, horn
Keith Dyrda, trombone
Chuck Daellenbach, tuba
The Anna H. Wang Concert Series commemorates the life of a remarkable woman whose great passions were music and education.
Born in China, Anna was orphaned at five years of age. Little did she realize that the survival skills learned in the orphanage would prove crucial for what lay ahead.
Twenty years later, shortly after her husband, James D. Wang, was sent to the U.S. for graduate studies, the Sino-Japanese War broke out, forcing Anna, carrying an infant and a toddler, to flee for their lives. During those harrowing times, she found solace in the hymns of faith that infused her with courage and hope. Only by the grace of God did they survive. Additionally, she helped thousands of others survive as well when she helped build a bomb shelter and a hospital. There risking her own life amidst the fiery carnages of war, she treated the sick and wounded.
After settling in the U.S. she continued in nursing and health care administration. Having experienced the power of music during her darkest years, she realized music was an avenue for reaching hearts for God and for inspiring young people to greater heights. Always encouraging them to develop their God-given gifts to their greatest potential, she and her husband supported the education and even music lessons of countless youth. Thus desiring to continue her legacy of 105 years of faithful service to God and humanity, her children have established the Anna H. Wang Presidential Concert Series.
