Experience Madison Ballet’s The Nutcracker with live music by our WCO musicians December 12 to 21—get your tickets here.
❄️ IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ❄️
Due to the Winter Weather Storm Warning that’s in effect for Dane County from Saturday at 3 AM through Sunday at 6 AM, both performances of A Charlie Brown Christmas with Strings are being postponed from Saturday to Sunday, November 30th to ensure the safety of all performers and attendees.
If you can no longer attend:
In the spirit of the season of giving, we hope you’ll consider returning your tickets as a charitable contribution. Please click here if you would like to convert your ticket purchase to a donation in support of the WCO. If you would like to request a refund for your ticket purchase, please contact The Orpheum ticket office by phone at 608.250.2600 or by email at info@madisonorpheum.com.
A Charlie Brown Christmas with Strings
Join us to celebrate the joy of the holidays through the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Featuring renowned local jazz trio Mr. Chair, members of Madison Youth Choirs, and string arrangements from the WCO, experience the legendary album played in its entirety along with other Christmas classics to get you and the whole family in the holiday spirit!
Tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster, please review their ticket policies prior to your purchase. This performance will take place at The Orpheum Theater at 216 State Street, downtown Madison.
Tickets for the 3 PM performance are not be transferrable or exchangeable with the 7:30 PM performance.

Mr. Chair: Ben Ferris, Mike Koszewski, and Jason Kutz.
Joyful. Fearless. Unpredictable.
Mr. Chair is an innovative piano trio composed of Jason Kutz (piano), Ben Ferris (bass), and Mike Koszewski (drums). Based in Madison, the trio collaborates with singers, dancers, orchestras, string ensembles, poets, and visual artists to pioneer exciting and distinct projects, showcasing their versatile style and interests in improvisational music. Learn more about Mr. Chair here.
Jason Kutz, piano
Jason Kutz is a musician based in Madison, WI, playing, performing, teaching, and composing all styles of music. Rooted in contemporary music and improvisation, he often combines acoustic and classical piano styles with electronic synthesis. He studied recording technology and music business at UW-Oshkosh and completed his Master's in Piano Performance at UW-Madison. You may also find him as an orchestra member, graphic designer, or soloist with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Caroga Arts Collective, or other classical/crossover music organizations. Learn more about Jason Kutz here.
Ben Ferris, bass
Ben Ferris is a Bassist, Composer and Educator from Madison, WI. His Quintet released their debut album of original compositions, “Home” in 2016. Ben is a founding member of Mr. Chair. He received a Masters Degree in String Performance and is currently a doctoral fellow at UW-Madison. Ben is the project assistant for the “UW Bridge Ensemble,” a combined string quartet and jazz quartet that does clinics and performances in public schools. Ben teaches a studio of private bass students, and taught in public schools for seven years. He is on the board of directors and faculty for the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists. Learn more about Ben Ferris here.
Mike Koszewski, drums
Mike Koszewski is an experienced musician from Madison, WI with a diverse background in the percussive arts. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Madison percussion studio, Mike performed, taught, and lectured throughout the midwest and east coast with the ensemble Clocks in Motion. With that group he championed the music of iconic composers such as Steve Reich, Iannis Xenakis, John Cage, and Charles Wuorinen while also commissioning and premiering dozens of new works. Learn more about Mike Koszewski here.

Members of Madison Youth Choirs.
About Madison Youth Choirs
Madison Youth Choirs (MYC) is dedicated to inspiring youth with a choral experience that fosters creativity, reflection, and the exploration of diverse ideas, while welcoming singers of all ability levels, annually serving hundreds of young people, ages 7-18, through a wide variety of choral programs in our community. Cultivating a comprehensive music education philosophy that inspires a spirit of inquiry leading students to become "expert noticers," MYC creates accessible, meaningful opportunities for youth to thrive in the arts and beyond.
MYC co-led the development of the Madison Youth Arts Center (MYArts), an accessible, affordable home for dozens of youth arts education programs in our community. MYArts opened in May 2021 and serves as the permanent home for MYC and Children’s Theater of Madison.
Learn more: madisonyouthchoirs.org



