A Charlie Brown Christmas with Strings

TICKETS GO ON SALE AUGUST 3

A Charlie Brown Christmas with Strings

Kick off the holiday season with a Madison tradition in the making. Join Mr. Chair, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and members of Madison Youth Choirs for a festive celebration inspired by Vince Guaraldi Trio's beloved A Charlie Brown Christmas. Hear the iconic album performed live in its entirety with new orchestral string arrangements that preserve the timeless jazz spirit of these holiday favorites and enjoy beloved seasonal classics that will have audiences of all ages embracing the magic of the season. Gather the people you love and make this unforgettable evening part of your holiday celebration.

This performance will take place at The Orpheum Theater at 216 State Street, downtown Madison.
Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster, please review their ticket policies prior to your purchase. 
Tickets are non-refundable and not transferrable or exchangeable between performances.

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.

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.

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.

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