Concerts on the Square

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Audra Lange

Johanna Wienholts and harp.

Johanna Wienholts

media release: The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (WCO) announces that today’s scheduled performance of “Mozart & Mahler” will be postponed due to the threat of severe weather. The concert will take place on the rain date of Thursday, July 17 at 7 PM. Unattended blankets can be put out on the Capitol lawn beginning at 3 PM, the street opens at 5 PM for attendees to visit food vendors and concession booths, and the table area will open at 5 PM for reservations.

“Each week we work closely with our partners and meteorologists at News 3 to make these decisions,” says Joe Loehnis, CEO. “It’s never easy and we take into consideration many factors before deciding to postpone to our rain date. Safety for our musicians, staff, crew, and volunteers are always the first priority and the threat of severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes in the area made this decision clear. The great news? Thursday looks like it’s going to be a fantastic night for a concert, and we’re really looking forward to another night of music and the feeling of community and togetherness on Capitol Square.”

“Mozart & Mahler” is the fourth performance of the Concerts on the Square season and features WCO’s own musicians as the soloists and guest conductor Yaniv Dinur. Principal flute Brandon LePage will play selections from “Movements for Flute” by Carlos Simon which LePage was part of commissioning, and harpist Johanna Wienholts will play “Danses sacrée et profane” by Debussy.

About Brandon LePage

Michigan based flutist Dr. Brandon LePage has held the Principal Flute position with the WCO since 2016. Proudly on faculty at Oakland University as Lecturer of Flute, Brandon has also taught as a faculty member of the Flint School of Performing Arts. His teaching is in high demand around the country and across the world, with his most recent guest appearances happening at the University of Wisconsin Madison, and the University of Windsor (Canada). Brandon completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2024 while studying with Professor Amy Porter. Read more here.

About Johanna Wienholts

Johanna Wienholts is a harpist and creative artist celebrated for her authentic, expressive sound and joyful stage presence. A passionate educator, she currently serves on the string faculty at University of Wisconsin’s Mead Witter School of Music, and previously taught at Lawrence Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin. Johanna is the principal harpist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Read more here.

About Yaniv Dinur

Yaniv Dinur is the winner of the 2019 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Fellow Award and Music Director of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra. He is lauded for his insightful interpretations and unique ability to connect with concertgoers of all ages and backgrounds, from season subscribers to symphony newcomers. Born in Jerusalem, Dinur began studying the piano at the age of six with his aunt, Olga Shachar, and later with Prof. Alexander Tamir, Tatiana Alexanderov, Mark Dukelsky, and Edna Golandsky. He studied conducting in Israel with Dr. Evgeny Zirlin and Prof. Mendi Rodan, and holds a Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Read more here.

PROGRAM

Mozart | “Marriage of Figaro Overture”

Carlos Simon | “Movements for Flute”

Debussy | “Danses sacrée et profane”

Mahler | Adagietto from “Symphony No. 5”

Mozart | “Symphony No. 40”

About the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

No other arts organization in Wisconsin performs free for more people each year. Founded in 1960, the orchestra is built on a foundation of quality musicianship with top-tier musicians. As a smaller ensemble, we’re able to showcase music at an intimate level, providing attendees with a unique experience. Under the direction of Maestro Andrew Sewell, we make classical music accessible to our community from concert halls to Madison’s Capitol Square, reaching over 250,000 music lovers annually.

We are driven in our mission to strengthen communities through innovative, high-quality artistic experiences that entertain, inspire, and unite diverse audiences. And we’re passionate about creating a sustainable future through our strategic plan.

Our core artistic programs include the four-decade tradition of Concerts on the Square®, the Masterworks series at the Overture Center for the Arts, annual performances of Handel’s Messiah, educational programming, and concerts for families and children that serve over 2000 youth each year and perform with local arts groups like Madison Ballet. In 2023, the WCO launched the Composer Collective series with a five-year, five-album project titled Musical Landscapes in Color with the goal of expanding the orchestral canon to include new works by living composers of color.

We strive to create a vibrant and inclusive space where music creates a sense of togetherness and connection, and that’s why we’re relentless about finding new ways to collaborate and partner with local groups in our community. As a member of the League of American Orchestras, we take our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion seriously. Working with Nehemiah, Inc. through the Catalyst Incubator Grant, our goal is to become a cultural ambassador to Madison while creating relationships that allow for authentic conversation, partnerships, and accessibility to musical experiences. While headquartered in Madison, we believe in extending our mission to communities across Wisconsin when there are opportunities to do so. To learn more, visit wcoconcerts.org.