The Eastman School of Music Organ Department kicks off a new season of Community Concerts — short organ recitals by Eastman students as part of the department’s ongoing initiative to bring outstanding organ music to the Rochester community.

It’s Rochester’s favorite holiday family tradition: Gala Holiday Pops with the RPO! Guitarist Don Potter returns to his Rochester roots—he began his career with Chuck Mangione before becoming a Nashville recording artist and producer—to perform along with Jeff Tyzik and the Festival High School Chorale. Whether you drive downtown to Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, or opt for a Sleigh Ride, you won’t want to miss this spectacular holiday concert—complete with a sing-along!

Vadym Kholodenko returns to perform Ravel’s breezy and bright Piano Concerto in G Major; his first time as soloist with the RPO since his sold-out performances during the 2015–16 season. Conductor Gemma New will take audiences on a journey with Scheherazade, the musical portrayal of the story One Thousand and One Nights, in which the Vizier’s daughter saves her own life through 1,001 nights of story-telling.

Join your RPO in celebrating Michael Butterman’s 18 seasons as a staff conductor! Copland’s Appalachian Spring is the background to the Frequent Flyer Cirque Troupe’s aerial dances—a visual treat, high above the orchestra. In honor of Michael’s tenure with the RPO, Principal Pops Conductor has written a piece, to be premiered during this gala event.

On the third Thursday of each month, October through May, the Eastman School of Music and the Memorial Art Gallery present varied concert programs by faculty and guest artists featuring Eastman’s Italian Baroque Organ. Made possible by the Rippey Endowed