J. Louis von der Mehden Recital Hall - VDM

A vibrant season of music unfolded this past Spring at von der Mehden Recital Hall! This Summer, we’re sharing highlights from the incredible recitals and concerts that filled vdM during the Spring 2026 semester.

On Sunday, April 12th, soprano Feier Liu presented her DMA recital at von der Mehden Recital Hall, joined by pianist Dmitriy Glivinskiy. The program featured a diverse exploration of vocal repertoire, including works by Mozart, Debussy, Harriet Ware, Lori Laitman, Undine Smith Moore, Jake Heggie, Hugo Wolf, and a traditional Chinese folk song arranged by Hu Tingjiang. Moving across languages, styles, and traditions, Liu’s recital highlighted her vocal versatility, expressive range, and thoughtful approach to storytelling through song.

Stay tuned as we look back on a season of unforgettable performances and get ready for even more exciting musical experiences ahead this Fall.

A vibrant season of music unfolded this past Spring at von der Mehden Recital Hall! This Summer, we’re sharing highlights from the incredible recitals and concerts that filled vdM during the Spring 2026 semester.

On Saturday, April 11th, the UConn Trombone Choir presented Aurora: Soundscapes across Time and Space at von der Mehden Recital Hall. Directed by Dr. Matthew Russo, the program ranged from Renaissance echo effects and Tchaikovsky’s lyrical Andante cantabile to contemporary works by Samantha Hogan, Kevin Day, Kevin Good, and James Kazik. With music inspired by sci-fi, dawn, spatial sound, mountain nights, and brass ensemble tradition, the concert showcased the expressive depth and versatility of the trombone choir.

Stay tuned as we look back on a season of unforgettable performances and get ready for even more exciting musical experiences ahead this Fall.

A vibrant season of music unfolded this past Spring at von der Mehden Recital Hall! This Summer, we’re sharing highlights from the incredible recitals and concerts that filled vdM during the Spring 2026 semester.

On Saturday, April 11th, the 2026 UConn Piano Project presented Global Music of Resistance: Memory, Refusal, and Survival at von der Mehden Recital Hall. Curated by Dr. Angelina Gadeliya, Dr. Janie Cole, and Dr. Javor Bračić, the program explored music as a force of witness, protest, and survival across cultures and historical moments. Featuring works by Shostakovich, Bonds, Bartók, Ravel, Rzewski, Satie, Janáček, Feldschuh, Ullmann, and others, the concert highlighted how composers have used sound to preserve memory, resist oppression, and challenge dominant norms.

Stay tuned as we look back on a season of unforgettable performances and get ready for even more exciting musical experiences ahead this Fall.

A vibrant season of music unfolded this past Spring at von der Mehden Recital Hall! This Summer, we’re sharing highlights from the incredible recitals and concerts that filled vdM during the Spring 2026 semester.

On Saturday, April 11th, pianist Grace Nieh presented a recital at von der Mehden Recital Hall featuring works by Janáček, Liszt, and Grieg. The program moved from the dramatic intensity of Janáček’s Piano Sonata 1. X. 1905 to Liszt’s sweeping Ballade No. 2 in B minor, before concluding with Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor with Thomas Tarutin at the piano. The recital showcased Nieh’s expressive depth, technical command, and strong sense of musical character.

Stay tuned as we look back on a season of unforgettable performances and get ready for even more exciting musical experiences ahead this Fall.

A vibrant season of music unfolded this past Spring at von der Mehden Recital Hall! This Summer, we’re sharing highlights from the incredible recitals and concerts that filled vdM during the Spring 2026 semester.

On Friday, April 10th, the UConn Collegium Musicum presented Glories of Venice at von der Mehden Recital Hall, celebrating its 50th anniversary with a journey through Venice’s rich musical history, from 14th-century works to Vivaldi’s Gloria.

Stay tuned as we look back on a season of unforgettable performances and get ready for even more exciting musical experiences ahead this Fall.

A vibrant season of music unfolded this past Spring at von der Mehden Recital Hall! This Summer, we’re sharing highlights from the incredible recitals and concerts that filled vdM during the Spring 2026 semester.

On Thursday, April 9th, the UConn Symphonic Wind Ensemble presented Connected to Connecticut at von der Mehden Recital Hall. Conducted by Dr. Janet Song Kim, with student conductors Kelly Watkins and Michael Ando and guest conductor Dr. Malcolm Jones, the program featured works by Mark Paine, Caroline Shaw, Leroy Anderson, Thomas Duffy, Charles Ives, and Kenneth Fuchs. The concert moved from fresh contemporary sounds to nostalgic American musical landscapes, highlighting the ensemble’s color, energy, and expressive range.

Stay tuned as we look back on a season of unforgettable performances and get ready for even more exciting musical experiences ahead this Fall.

A vibrant season of music unfolded this past Spring at von der Mehden Recital Hall! This Summer, we’re sharing highlights from the incredible recitals and concerts that filled vdM during the Spring 2026 semester.

On Tuesday, April 7th, the UConn Jazz Faculty Ensemble presented Jazz & Justice Suite: A Multi-Movement Declaration at von der Mehden Recital Hall. Created in collaboration with the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, the original suite explored human rights through composition, narration, and improvisation. Each movement connected an article from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to themes of racial justice, education, labor rights, environmental advocacy, democracy, women in the arts, and the human cost of conflict.

Stay tuned as we look back on a season of unforgettable performances and get ready for even more exciting musical experiences ahead this Fall.

A vibrant season of music unfolded this past Spring at von der Mehden Recital Hall! This Summer, we’ll be sharing highlights from the incredible recitals and concerts that filled vdM during the Spring 2026 semester.

On Thursday, April 2nd, pianist Keer Chen presented her debut DMA recital at von der Mehden Recital Hall. Her program traced a musical journey from Classical to Modern repertoire, featuring works by Haydn, Chopin, Debussy, and Messiaen. From the lively character of Haydn’s Piano Sonata in E minor to the expressive intimacy of Chopin’s nocturnes and the vivid colors of Debussy and Messiaen, the recital highlighted Chen’s artistry, technical control, and wide-ranging musical imagination.

Stay tuned as we look back on a season of unforgettable performances and get ready for even more exciting musical experiences ahead this Fall.

Here’s what’s coming to von der Mehden Recital Hall this upcoming week!

On Tuesday, April 28, at 8:00 p.m., join the UConn Percussion Ensemble for its final performance of Spring 2026.

On Saturday, May 2, at 8:00 p.m., Sandeep Das closes out the semester. Hailed as a “creator of myths with Houdini-like skills” by The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia. One of the world’s leading Indian tabla virtuosos, Das brings extraordinary artistry and energy to the stage.

Later that evening, on Thursday, April 30, at 8:00 p.m., don’t miss the UConn Symphony Orchestra’s final performance of Spring 2026.

On Friday, May 1, at 8:00 p.m., Second-Year DMA student Hanrui Ma takes the stage for a piano recital.

On Saturday, May 2, at 8:00 p.m., closing out the semester is Sandeep Das. Hailed as a “creator of myths with Houdini-like skills” by The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia. One of the world’s leading Indian tabla virtuosos, Das brings extraordinary artistry and energy to the stage.

This is our last lineup of performances for the semester, so be sure to reserve your spot and join us! Secure your seat today at https://www.ticketleap.events/events/vondermehden.

Here’s what’s coming to von der Mehden Recital Hall next week!

On Tuesday, April 21, at 8:00 p.m., join pianist Ryan DeLayo for his MM recital, featuring works by Liszt, Debussy, Ginastera, and more.

On Thursday, April 23, at 8:00 p.m., enjoy the UConn Symphonic Band’s final performance of Spring 2026.

On Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m., experience Kubatana’s Spring 2026 concert.

On Saturday, April 25, at 6:00 p.m., join the UConn Voices of Freedom Gospel Choir as they celebrate their 30th anniversary with the University of Connecticut.

On Sunday, April 26, at 3:00 p.m., hear the UConn Choirs in their final Spring 2026 concert.

Later that evening, at 6:00 p.m., enjoy the UConn Jazz Ensemble’s Spring 2026 concert.

Explore this week’s performances and reserve your seat at https://www.ticketleap.events/events/vondermehden.