Oakwood Chamber Players

media release: The Oakwood Chamber Players kick off their 2026/27 season with performances at Oakwood Villages Prairie Ridge (5565 Tancho Drive) on Friday, September 25 and University Woods (6205 Mineral Point Road) on Saturday, September 26, both at 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. matinee at Arts + Literature Laboratory on Sunday, September 27 (111 S. Livingston Street). Welcoming new member Holly Wagner (violin) into their signature ensemble of winds and strings, the group will present a dazzling program of rarely heard chamber works with guest artists Dawn Lawler (flute) and Margaret Mackenzie (harp). 

Three harp-centric gems anchor this program in a diverse palette of 21st century styles. Written by French harpist and composer Bernard Andres’ (1941-2026), “Chants D'Arriere-Saison” (“Late-season Songs”) ushers in autumn with the poignant pairing of bassoon and harp. Known for weaving together world music elements such as klezmer rhythms and Arabic melodies, Gilad Cohen (b. 1980) draws us into an imaginative space with his Trio for “spry clarinet, weeping cello, and ruminating harp.” Nicole Chamberlain’s (b. 1977) “Atalanta,” written for the Georgia-based Merian Ensemble, explores the namesake origin of Atlanta, from Greek mythology to local history, combining the colors of the flute, oboe, bass clarinet, viola, and harp.

“The Miracle in Shargan” for oboe and viola by Serbian composer Isidora Zebeljan (1967-2020) and “Brush Strokes” for flute, oboe, and bassoon by Alyssa Morris (b. 1984) serve as vignettes rounding out this spotlight on contemporary composers. Originally part of a theatrical score, Zebeljan’s evanescent duo is sure to inspire audiences with mystery and wonder. Morris utilizes her trio of winds as a sonic representation of famous paintings by Monet, Seurat, Van Gogh, and Pollock.

Oakwood Chamber Players serve as the professional resident ensemble for the Oakwood Village senior living community. In addition to the debut of associate violinist Holly Wagner, guest artists Lawler and Mackenzie will collaborate with Artistic Directors Valree Casey (oboe/English horn), Nancy Mackenzie (clarinet), Amanda Szczys (bassoon), Marie Pauls (viola), and Maggie Townsend (cello).

Tickets are $30 general admission and $10 for students. For more information and advance ticket sales, visit oakwoodchamberplayers.com.