Music

Upcoming Events

Fountain Concert

Fall Fountain Concert

Thursday, November 13 at 5:15pm

Discover a hidden musical treasure on Duke’s East Campus! Set in the intimate fountain lobby of the Biddle Music Building, the Fountain Concert series offers an enchanting, laid-back atmosphere that ...

Chinese Music Ensemble: Fall Concert

Chinese Music Ensemble: Fall Concert

Saturday, November 15 at 7:00pm

Experience the vibrant sounds of traditional and contemporary Chinese music at the Duke Chinese Music Ensemble Fall Concert! Featuring a rich blend of ancient melodies and modern arrangements, this dynamic ...

Clarinet Premieres: A Duke–UNCG Collaboration

Saturday, November 15 at 7:00pm

Experience a night of groundbreaking new music as Duke University PhD composition students join forces with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s clarinet studio for an unforgettable concert of ...

Duke University String School: Orchestra Concert

Duke University String School: Orchestra Concert

Sunday, November 16 at 4:30pm

Enjoy an inspiring evening of music as three of the area’s most talented youth ensembles come together for a vibrant showcase of orchestral excellence. Featuring performances by the Intermediate String ...

A graphic with an image on the left and text on the right. The image shows a close-up, eye-level shot of the multiple keyboards on a large pipe organ. In the background, there are pointed arches and stained-glass windows. The text on the right side of the image reads: "Organ Recital Series" and "Duke University Chapel." Below the text is the Duke University Chapel logo.

Organ Recital Series: Maxine Thévenot

Sunday, November 16 at 5:00pm

Maxine Thévenot is director of cathedral music and organist at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, Albuquerque, New Mexico. As an organ recitalist, she has appeared in concert halls and ...

A two-panel graphic for a Jazz Vespers event. The left panel shows a man with a shaved head and glasses playing a 5-string electric bass guitar. He is wearing a white dress shirt and has a focused expression as he plays. The background is a mix of green and purple fabric, and the blurred figure of another musician is visible behind him. The right panel is a solid dark blue color with the words "Jazz Vespers" in white text and the logo for the Duke University Chapel at the bottom.

Jazz Vespers: A Service of Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 20 at 7:00pm

Over the past eleven years, Jazz Vespers has become a beloved tradition at Duke Chapel. Sing, rest, pray, and celebrate in these worship services, which combine the ancient Christian tradition ...

Abele Saxophone Quartet Concert

Saturday, November 22 at 8:00pm

The Music Graduate Student Association, in conjunction with Duke Music and Erich Barganier, presents an evening of world premieres written for the Abele Saxophone Quartet. This collaboration includes selections from ...

Chamber Music at Duke: Fall Chamber Music Recital

Sunday, November 23 at 7:00pm

Under the direction of acclaimed cellist Caroline Stinson, Chamber Music at Duke presents an evening of dynamic and intimate performances that celebrate a semester of artistic growth and collaboration. From ...

Chamber Music at Duke: Fall Chamber Music Recital

Tuesday, December 2 at 7:00pm

Under the direction of acclaimed cellist Caroline Stinson, Chamber Music at Duke presents an evening of dynamic and intimate performances that celebrate a semester of artistic growth and collaboration. From ...

Guest Recital: Kwan Yi (piano)

Guest Recital: Kwan Yi (piano)

Thursday, December 4 at 7:00pm

Internationally acclaimed pianist Kwan Yi brings to life one of Franz Liszt’s most iconic and evocative masterpieces: Années de pèlerinage, Deuxième année: Italie (S. 161). This extraordinary work, composed between ...

Past Events

A promotional graphic for a "Bach Cantata" event. The graphic is divided into two sections. The left section features a photo of an orchestra and a choir performing in a large church. The conductor, a man in a black suit, stands facing the musicians. The choir is wearing white robes with blue stoles, and the church has ornate wooden stalls and stone walls. The right section is a solid dark blue background with the words "Bach Cantata" in white text at the top and the Duke University Chapel logo at the bottom.

Bach Cantata Series: Bach & Vivaldi

Sunday, November 9 at 5:00pm

Johann Sebastian Bach’s cantatas are often considered the pinnacle of German sacred music, works whose theological depth and emotional resonance touch deep places in the human soul. This year’s cantata ...

Bach Cantata Series: Bach & Vivaldi

Sunday, November 9 at 5:00pm

Experience the brilliance of two Baroque-era masters-Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi-in an inspiring concert performed by a collaboration of Duke University students, music faculty, and professional musicians. The program ...

French Strings' Tribute to Ravel Join us for a concert celebrating the sesquicentennial of Maurice Ravel's birth! With Violinist Gabriel Richard and Cellist Jesus Castro-Balbi Free and Open to the Public All are Welcome

Tribute to Ravel

November 7, 2025

French Strings’ Tribute to Ravel Join us for a concert celebrating the sesquicentennial of Maurice Ravel’s birth! With Violinist Gabriel Richard and Cellist Jesus Castro-Balbi Free and Open to the ...

Chorale Pinehurst

Duke Chorale: Pinehurst Concert

November 2, 2025

The Duke University Chorale is excited to present their Pinehurst concert this fall! Directed by Allan Friedman and accompanied by Mary Hamilton,Duke Chorale is the primary choral ensemble of Duke’s ...

Susan Fancher: “Under the Same Sky” Recital

October 26, 2025

Duke saxophone faculty Susan Fancher and friends Carla-Copeland Burns (flute), Heidi Radtke (saxophone), and Ināra Zandmane (piano) present a recital of fresh new music for saxophone, flute, and piano. Program: ...

Duke Music Family Weekend Showcase Concert

October 18, 2025

Join us for an exhilarating evening featuring three of Duke University’s premier performing ensembles-each bringing its own unique sound and spirit to the stage. The Duke Chorale, known for its ...

Ciompi Quartet

Ciompi Quartet: “Ciompi on West” Concert

October 10, 2025

The Ciompi Quartet returns with its popular lunchtime concert series-an inspiring midday musical escape. This one-hour program features the artistry of the Ciompi alongside standout student ensembles from Chamber Music ...

Rockley Piano Sale

Rockley Family Foundation Sale

October 9, 2025

Duke University’s Music Department is working in conjunction with the Rockley Family Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting music education. Musical instruments provided to music departments or otherwise made ...

A graphic with an image on the left and text on the right. The image shows a close-up, eye-level shot of the multiple keyboards on a large pipe organ. In the background, there are pointed arches and stained-glass windows. The text on the right side of the image reads: "Organ Recital Series" and "Duke University Chapel." Below the text is the Duke University Chapel logo.

Organ Recital Series: Alan Morrison

October 5, 2025

Alan Morrison, head of the organ department at the Curtis Institute of Music, is recognized as one of America’s premier concert organists. His performances throughout North America, South America, Europe, ...

Calichi Trio

Calichi Trio Concert

September 28, 2025

The Claichi Trio unites three powerhouse musicians whose artistry spans continents and careers at the highest levels of classical performance. Hsiao-mei Ku, a celebrated Naxos recording artist and Professor of ...

David Heid Piano

David Heid: “Milestones” Recital

September 26, 2025

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating two remarkable milestones in the life and career of pianist David Heid-30 years of musical excellence at Duke University and 60 years of ...

Flute4

Flute Fems: Music for Multiple Flutes

September 14, 2025

An Evening of Operatic Splendor for Flutes! Join us for a remarkable performance led by Trudy Kane-former principal flutist of the Metropolitan Opera, professor at Frost University, and recipient of ...

Chorale

Duke Chorale & SONAM Kick-Off Concert

September 13, 2025

Join the Duke Chorale for their season-opening concert, presented in collaboration with the Singers of New and Ancient Music (SONAM)! This uplifting program explores themes of comfort and love through ...

Paradox Opera Presents: Blank

August 22, 2025

Alissa Roca of Paradox Opera and Duke Music’s Daniel Seyfried present a powerful new concert experience. In a world that can feel increasingly fractured and overwhelming, Blank offers space for ...

watercolor of mountains and pine trees with text "Durham Medical Orchestra: Virtuosity, Drama, and Delight"

Spring concert: Virtuosity, Drama, and Delight

May 4, 2025

The Durham Medical Orchestra’s free spring concert will feature the winner of our inaugural Concerto Competition, Marisa D’Silva, playing Jacques Ibert’s Concerto for Flute and Orchestra. Marisa has been an ...

DOT

Duke Opera Theater: “Art of the Divine”

April 18, 2025

Sponsored by the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation On Easter weekend, a night of operatic scenes with religious and spiritual overtones. Performed with scenery, costumes, and piano accompaniment. Admission is free ...

Spring

Duke Chorale Spring Concert

April 12, 2025

Duke Chorale celebrates its senior class with music about freedom from a variety of cultures and eras. Admission is free – No need to purchase tickets to attend.

DSO

Duke Symphony Orchestra: “Senior Night”

April 9, 2025

Duke Symphony Orchestra presents “Senior Night”. Introduction to Khovantchina (1880)……………………………….Modest Mussorgsky Piano Concerto in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 20 (1896)……………….Alexander Scriabin Overture to The Merry Wives of Windsor (1846)………………..Otto Nicolai Violin ...

Photo of organ pipes. Text: Organ Recital Series

Organ Recital Series: Robert Parkins

April 6, 2025

Robert Parkins’s farewell recital at Duke features repertoire he performed at dedicatory concerts of the Chapel’s Brombaugh, Flentrop, and renovated Aeolian organs-including early Spanish and south German music as well ...

Duo Cortona

Duo Cortona Recital

April 1, 2025

Duo Cortona (Rachel Calloway Streisfeld and Ari Streisfeld) will be presenting an evening of music that includes works of Bacewiz, Liberatore, and Waggoner Duo Cortona is a contemporary music ensemble ...

Orange Road Quartet

Orange Road Quartet

March 16, 2025

The Music Graduate Student Association and the Duke Music Composition PhD Student Group present a night of world premieres written for the visiting ensemble Orange Road String Quartet. This concert ...

Ensemble Intercolor

Ensemble Intercolor Concert

February 20, 2025

Ensemble Intercolor is a trailblazing young trio whose wholly original approach to music ensures a vibrant and dynamic program at every concert. Their singular instrumental combination of cimbalom, viola, clarinet, ...

Photo of organ pipes. Text: Organ Recital Series, James Kibbie, Organist

Organ Recital Series: James Kibbie

February 16, 2025

James Kibbie’s program, performed on the Flentrop organ, includes music by Bach, Mozart, Price, Ropek, Sowande, and others. Dr. Kibbie is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan, where ...

James Kibbie

Organ Recital Series: James Kibbie

February 16, 2025

James Kibbie is a professor emeritus at the University of Michigan, where his 42-year tenure included service as University Organist and Chair of the Organ Department. Renowned as an authority ...

violin

CANCELLED: Gabriel Richard, Violin Recital

January 31, 2025

Gabriel Richard presents “Tribute to Maurice Ravel.” Joseph Maurice Ravel (March 7, 1875 – December 28, 1937) was a French composer, pianist and conductor. He is often associated with Impressionism ...

loadbang

loadbang: New Works by Duke Graduate Composers

January 23, 2025

New York City-based new music chamber group loadbang (trumpet, trombone, bass clarinet, and baritone voice) premieres six new pieces written for them by Duke graduate student composers; Erich Barganier, Tyler ...

Ciompi Quartet Portfolio Project

December 5, 2024

Graduate student composers Since its founding in 1965 by the renowned Italian violinist Giorgio Ciompi, the Ciompi Quartet of Duke University has delighted audiences and impressed critics around the world. ...

Duke Symphony Orchestra

Duke Symphony Orchestra: Music of Reflection

December 4, 2024

The Duke Symphony Orchestra, directed by Harry Davidson, numbers some 80-100 players and draws its membership almost entirely from the student body. The Duke Symphony Orchestra, open to all members ...

Chamber Music

Chamber Music Performance Part II

December 3, 2024

Chamber Music at Duke performs works from the Baroque to the 20th century written for a broad array of instrumentations including string quartets, piano trios and saxophone quartets. Chamber Music ...

Chamber Music Performance Part I

November 23, 2024

Chamber Music at Duke performs works from the Baroque to the 20th century written for a broad array of instrumentations including string quartets, piano trios and saxophone quartets. Chamber Music ...

DNME

Duke New Music Ensemble

November 22, 2024

The DNME is back, with the recent, the new and the REALLY new! Featuring music of Boulez, Shulamit Ran, Hannah Kendall, Duke Graduate Composers, and Group Improvisations composed on the ...

Chinese Music Ensemble

Chinese Music Ensemble: Folk Dialects

November 16, 2024

The Duke Chinese Ensemble, conducted by Jennifer Chang, will present a concert that features a variety of Chinese musical genres, including classical, folk, and orchestral pieces, played on a mix ...

Photo of musician with guitar. Text: Jazz Vespers

Jazz Vespers: A Service of Thanksgiving

November 14, 2024

Over the past ten years, Jazz Vespers has become a beloved tradition at Duke Chapel. Sing, rest, pray, and celebrate in these worship services combining the ancient Christian tradition of ...

Photo of organ pipe. Text: Organ Recital Series

Organ Recital Series: Stefan Engels

November 10, 2024

Stefan Engels’ recital at Duke will include works by J. S. Bach, Robert Schumann, and Karg-Elert on the Flentrop and Aeolian organs. Professor of Organ at Southern Methodist University, Engels ...

Down South Dirt: Lecture and Reception

Down South Dirt: Lecture and Reception

October 23, 2024

In this opening public event of the 2024-25 Keohane Professorship, interdisciplinary artist and scholar Ashon Crawley will present on the relation of dirt and soil to the making of Black life, and how degrading the earth is part of the attempt to unmake Black possibility.

Family Weekend Showcase Concert

October 19, 2024

The Duke Music community is excited to celebrate Duke’s Centennial and the 50th Anniversary of Biddle with a special collaborative performance during Family Weekend. Join us on October 19 at ...

Ciompi Quartet

Ciompi String Quartet Lunchtime Classics

October 18, 2024

Since its founding in 1965 by the renowned Italian violinist Giorgio Ciompi, the Ciompi Quartet of Duke University has delighted audiences and impressed critics around the world. All its members ...

Ciompi Quartet

Ciompi Quartet

October 18, 2024

Since its founding in 1965 by the renowned Italian violinist Giorgio Ciompi, the Ciompi Quartet of Duke University has delighted audiences and impressed critics around the world. All its members ...

Ciompi Quartet

Ciompi String Quartet Downtown Classics

October 17, 2024

Since its founding in 1965 by the renowned Italian violinist Giorgio Ciompi, the Ciompi Quartet of Duke University has delighted audiences and impressed critics around the world. All its members ...

Graduate Student Composers' Concert

Duke Composers Showcase

October 9, 2024

The Duke Music Composition Ph.D. program presents an evening of graduate student composers’ music at the Ark (next to Duke Coffeehouse). Performances will include live electronics, dance, video projection, voice, ...

Photo of organ pipes. Text: Organ Recital Series

Organ Recital Series: Alcee Chriss III

October 6, 2024

Alcee Chris III open this season’s organ recital series on the Aeolian organ with music by J. S. Bach, Elgar, Litaize, and Rachmaninoff. Dr. Chriss is currently Assistant Organist at ...

Duke Wind Symphony

Heart on Fire: Duke Wind Symphony

October 3, 2024

The Wind Symphony returns and starts the semester euphorically with works by Reed, Strauss, Grainger, Jolly, Bruckner, Cuong, and Maslanka The Duke University Wind Symphony, directed by Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant, is ...

Calichi Trio

September 28, 2024

Violinist Hsiao-mei Ku, the longest-serving Duke Music faculty member in Calichi Trio, is a member of the Ciompi Quartet and Professor of the Practice of Music. Her fellow Ciompi Quartet ...

50 years of biddle

50 Years of Biddle Gala Concert

September 21, 2024

Join the Duke Music Department for a grand celebration of our iconic Biddle Music Building with a gala concert on September 21, 2024, at 7:00 PM, Free Admission. This special ...

Duke Chorale and SONAM Kick-off Concert

September 14, 2024

Duke Chorale and SONAM (Singers of New and Ancient Music), both directed by Allan Friedman, kick off their year with music about freedom from Estonia, India, South Africa, America, and ...

Duke Symphony Orchestra: POPS Concert

September 1, 2024

This Labor Day weekend tradition marks the opening of the Duke Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-2025 season. Please join us on the East Campus main quad as the Symphony performs music from ...