von der Mehden Recital Hall

Be sure to stop by for this celebratory concert featuring UConn Choirs. 

Though the sarabande and the chaconne were stylized sections of courtly suites by Baroque composers such as Scarlatti and Bach, their origins are far removed from any European court, stemming instead from New Spain. In a book about the Spanish colony in 1579, a Dominican friar described the sarabande as a lascivious dance and identified it with the indigenous population. However, at least one surviving song — a villancico for Christmas — links it with enslaved Africans, suggesting that both populations were involved in the creation of the genre. This program, which is related to one Ensemble Origo presented in 2023, a dancer joins the ensemble's instrumentalists to demonstrate both the seventeenth-century courtly dances in relation to early dances from New Spain. The concert sketches the printing history of both genres (which were related at one time) from simple guitar strumming patterns to the stylized instrumental works adopted by hundreds of European composers in the centuries that followed. The program aims to bring what is known of the genres' lost??or suppressed—histories to light, thus rethinking Eurocentric notions of these distinctive musical genres, their history, and their trajectory.

Steinway artist Paul Sánchez will be teaching a piano masterclass in von der Mehden Recital Hall as part of the University of Connecticut's Piano Day events!

Pianist Eric Reed performs solo at von der Mehden Recital Hall on the UConn Storrs campus for the annual Heilig Memorial Piano Concert. A vital force in jazz for more than 25 years, Reed has collaborated with legends such as Freddie Hubbard and Wynton Marsalis and released twenty-eight recordings, including his most recent, Out Late. Supported by the Murray-Heilig Annual Concert Fund, this relaxed, story-driven performance features Reed sharing personal musical narratives while shaping each moment organically.

Eric Scott Reed has been a vital force in jazz for over 25 years, excelling as a leader, composer, producer, educator, and sideman with legends like Freddie Hubbard and Wynton Marsalis. His recordings, such as The Adventurous Monk and Groovewise, showcase his innovative approach to jazz standards and original compositions.

Through a grant by the Caxide Scholars program, Maya Bullied spent her summer writing and composing a musical. This musical, Moments Between, will be premiering in von der Mehden Recital Hall in a workshop performance.    This performance does have an intended audience of college-age and above.

  In the Fall of 2025, UConn Choirs and Symphony Orchestra will be presenting the Mozart Requiem (Süssmayr edition) at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. The UConn Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Festival Chorus will be joined by alumni in this performance. The Requiem was last performed at UConn with Dr. Peter Bagley soon after 9/11 and it is one of history's great masterworks. 

Under the guidance and direction of faculty members, students work together within assigned combos to develop proficiency in the art of jazz improvisation and small-group jazz performance. Groups are often organized according to themes in which the repertoire of a specific jazz composer or genre is addressed. To prepare students for professional performance situations, the memorization of standard jazz repertoire is expected. Combos perform frequently on and off campus. Performances are given throughout Connecticut.

A full-length recital split between flute player Erin Abrams and trombone player Jacob Lasek, consisting of a mix of solo, duet, and small ensemble performances.