Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra with Madison Ballet

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courtesy Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

A collage of Madison Ballet dancers and conductor Andrew Sewell.

media release: The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (WCO) in collaboration with Madison Ballet, is thrilled to announce, "Davis & Dvořák with Madison Ballet," the third concert of the Masterworks series. The concert will take place on Friday, February 28 at 7:30 PM in Capitol Theater at the Overture Center for the Arts. Subscriptions are still available for 3-concert packages and can be purchased online at http://wcoconcerts.org/subscribe or by phone at 608.257.0638. Single Tickets can be purchased online at http://overture.org/wco or by calling the Overture box office at 608.258.4141. The evening opens with “Dance Card: No. 5” by GRAMMY®-winning composer Jennifer Higdon. The orchestra will then perform nine movements from Oliver Davis’s “Liberty” Suite, as the stage comes alive with original choreography by Madison Ballet’s Artistic Director, Ja’ Malik—a continuation of our celebrated partnership. The second half features Dvořák’s “Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22,” a lush and challenging work full of rich harmonies and timeless melodies.

The two organizations are close partners, having collaborated annually on “The Nutcracker” for decades. “We work really well together artistically” says Music Director Andrew Sewell. “The inspiration of dancing to 'live music' brings both art forms to life.” This isn’t Madison Ballet’s first collaboration featuring the work of Oliver Davis, having previously performed a world premiere at Concerts on the Square in 2023. Audiences have shown enthusiasm with sales prompting the WCO top open an additional six rows of seating on the main floor in Capitol Theater.

REPERTOIRE

HIGDON | Dance Card: No. 5

OLIVER DAVIS | Liberty

DVOŘÁK | Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22

About Ja’ Malik, Madison Ballet Artistic Director & Choreographer

Ja’ Malik is an innovative choreographer, educator, and the visionary Artistic Director of Madison Ballet. With a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary ballet, Ja’ Malik brings a unique, inclusive approach to dance, driven by his passion for storytelling, community engagement, and expanding representation in the arts. His work is celebrated for blending technical precision with deep emotional resonance, reaching audiences in powerful and accessible ways. With a background as a professional dancer, Ja' Malik has performed with renowned companies across the U.S., including Ballet X, Ballet Hispanico, and North Carolina Dance Theatre, before transitioning to choreography. Under his leadership, Madison Ballet has expanded its mission to commission new works, foster innovative collaborations, nurture emerging talent through the School of Madison Ballet, and build meaningful connections with its audience and the broader Madison community.

“Davis & Dvořák with Madison Ballet” will take place on Friday, February 28 at 7:30 PM in Capitol Theater at the Overture Center for the Arts. Subscriptions are still available for 3-concert packages and can be purchased online at http://wcoconcerts.org/subscribe or by phone at 608.257.0638. Single Tickets can be purchased online at http://overture.org/wco or by calling the Overture box office at 608.258.4141.

About Madison Ballet

The mission of Madison Ballet is to cultivate appreciation for and access to the art form of ballet. We inspire and train the next generation of dancers, artists, and professionals through performances by the Madison Ballet Company, education through the School of Madison Ballet, and outreach in partnership with local community organizations. The vision of Madison Ballet is to shape ballet into an inclusive art form, which represents the world we live in through diversity and inclusion both on and off stage. We commission works by emerging and established choreographers with an emphasis on female-identifying artists and artists of color, serving as one way to address systemic problems in dance that have led to a lack of diversity on stages locally and nationally. For over 40 years, Madison Ballet has been an integral part of the vibrant Dane County arts community. Full-scale productions of traditional ballets, contemporary masterworks, and innovative new choreography from today’s leading choreographers, along with the timeless holiday tradition of The Nutcracker, reach more than 20,000 people each year. Madison Ballet is proud to be the resident ballet company of Overture Center for the Arts and the second largest dance organization in Wisconsin. For more information visit http://madisonballet.org .

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 performing 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 http://wcoconcerts.org .