The Middlebury Performing Arts Series (PAS) is returning to campus for its 106th season to highlight performance art forms of all kinds — music, theatre and more will grace the eyes and ears of the Mahaney Arts Center (MAC) this fall. Whether you’re looking to unwind from the beginning of school chaos, or simply seeking a fun performance to watch, this year’s lineup has something for everyone.
Beginning the season for the second year in a row is the all-women classical ensemble Sophie Shao & Friends on Sept. 12. The ensemble features cellist Shao, violinist Carmlit Zori and pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute, who will perform various classical sonatas. They will also perform selections from François Couperin’s Five Concert Pieces to celebrate the new Middlebury College Museum of Art exhibit “Le Petit Salon: The Journey of an Eighteenth-Century Room from Paris to Vermont.”
Following that will be “The Other Mozart”, Sylvia Milo’s award winning play, on Sept. 26 in Wright Theatre. The play centers around Nannerl Mozart, Amadeus’ sister, who was gifted at piano and frequently performed alongside her brother, a story often left untold. Special Collections will host a pre-show open house that will contextualize the 18th century atmosphere the play takes place in, as well as share archives of other women whose stories have also been lost to history.
On Oct. 25, Nordic acoustic band The Dreamer’s Circus will blend traditional styles of folk with improvisational jazz and contemporary pop. The trio includes Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen, Ale Carr and Nikolaj Busk, who first met at a folk festival in Copenhagen in 2009, quickly bonding over their love of classical music that incorporates modern elements. Their latest album is entitled “Handed On” and encapsulates their unique reimagination of the traditional Nordic folk style.
Then comes the electronic sounds of "Fiction", an immersive sonic journey that is the brainchild of flutist Allison Loggins-Hull and the two time Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth. The title of the performance encapsulates it perfectly; it is a story of push and pull, all told through intricate melodies and unique composition. Witness this deeply interesting, genre-bending work on Nov. 5 in the Olin C. Robison Concert Hall.
The week after, long time PAS performer Takács Quartet will return to celebrate their 50th anniversary season and their 31st performance at Middlebury since 1994. The Hungarian string quartet has won a Grammy and three Gramophone awards. They will perform the Vermont premiere of Clarice Assad’s NEXUS, a piece that was commissioned especially for them and is co-commissioned by the PAS. Professor Emeritus of Music Larry Hamberlin will deliver a free pre-concert lecture.
To ring in the holiday cheer, jazz pianist Isaiah J. Thompson will make his Middlebury debut with “A Guaraldi Holiday.” Performing the legendary pieces by composer and pianist Vince Guaraldi, whose work accompanied many “Peanuts” cartoons, Thompson will reimagine these classic holiday pieces. Earning the title of a Steinway artist and winning the 2023 American Pianists Association Award and the Cole Porter Fellow in Jazz makes Thompson’s series debut nothing short of exciting.
J-Term will bring Vermont duo pianist Nahre Sol, who has gained recognition on YouTube with a whopping 75 million+ views, and internationally recognized bassist Ben Finley on Jan. 16. The two use their diverse knowledge of music to create a unique sound; combining chamber, ambient and improvisation styles.
The PAS is bringing new talent, returning artists and above all, excitement to its 106th season. Attending these events can be a fun social opportunity with friends, a solo adventure to destress from schoolwork, or anything in between. No matter what, the PAS has got you covered. And if the curtain closes and you’re feeling inspired to write, we’re totally here for it.
Ellie Trinkle '26 (she/her) is the Senior Arts and Culture Editor.
She previously served as a News Editor and Staff Writer. She is a Film & Creative writing double major from Brooklyn who loves all things art. You can typically find her obsessively making Spotify playlists, wearing heaps of jewelry, or running frantically around campus.
