Close Encounters Chamber Music Series – Season 17

Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series performed by members of the Cleveland Orchestra and other elite performers – arguably the world’s most renowned musicians. Curated by Cleveland Orchestra cellist Dane Johansen, these performances are held in unique venues and local residences, where the audience hears the music as it was meant to be heard – up close and personal.

Cleveland Orchestra cellist Dane Johansen is the artistic director of the Close Encounters series. Johansen has curated a season of vibrant and varied performances featuring classical, romantic, impressionist, and modern works by Mozart, Brahms, Schumann, Clarke, Debussy, and more. Audience members will experience the concerts in long-time favorite locations like the Barrie Carriage House, Eaton Mansion, Dunham Tavern, and new venues that maintain the atmosphere that makes these concerts so unique.

Says Johansen, “This season features a lineup of artists that I couldn’t be more excited to hear or proud to present. Many of the artists this season are leaders in their respective sections within The Cleveland Orchestra. The beauty of their artistry will be perfectly showcased in such intimate settings as we are blessed to enjoy through the Close Encounters series.”

Close Encounters Open Rehearsals

Underwritten by The Music Settlement 

This year, Heights Arts presents a new and rare opportunity for students and adults to glimpse the process of preparing a Close Encounters performance prior to several of the concerts. This one-of-a-kind experience is not only educational but provides a deeper understanding of how a performance is put together by some of the world’s best musicians. The public can experience open rehearsals with a pay-what-you-can model to remain accessible to all.

PRICING:

Full Season: General $255,  Member $215

Individual Concert Ticket: General $60, Member $51

Click here to purchase FULL SEASON tickets.

Close Encounters Season Schedule

Concert 1 | Brahms and Schumann featuring Yaron Kohlberg

Date | Time: Sunday, December 10, 2023 | 3:00 pm
Location: Shaker Heights Villa (address will be provided after tickets are purchased)

Performers: Yaron Kohlberg, piano, Jessica Lee, violin, William Bender, viola, Dane Johansen, cello

Concert Host: Rachel Rawson and Charles Cowap
Concert Sponsor: Rachel Rawson and Charles Cowap

Click here to purchase CONCERT 1 tickets**

** Thanks to our community members, this concert is now sold out — if you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email your name, contact information, and ticket order to events@heightsarts.org. 

Concert 2 | Mozart and Mendelssohn: String Quintets

Date | Time: Sunday, February 18, 2024 | 3:00 pm
Location: Convivium 33

Performers: Stephen Tavani and Yun-Ting Lee, violins, William Bender, viola, Wesley Collins, viola, Dane Johansen, cello.

Concert Sponsor: Bill Stigelman

This concert is now on a waitlist. Please email events@heightsarts.org with your contact information and number of tickets and we will contact you if we have cancellations.

Concert 2 Open Rehearsal

Date | Time: Monday, February 12, 2024 | 6:00 pm

Location: Heights Arts

• Brief Q and A Session to Follow Event
• Please Note: The length of this event is dependent on the needs of the musicians. You may discreetly exit the event before it is complete if needed. 

Click here to RSVP for CONCERT 2 Open Rehearsal.

Concert 3 | Strings and Winds: Strauss, Clarke and Prokofiev

Date/Time: Sunday, March 24, 2024 | 3:00 pm
Location: Dunham Tavern

Performers: Katherine Bormann, violin, Eliesha Nelson, viola, Maximilian Dimoff, double bass, Frank Rosenwein, oboe, Afendi Yusuf, clarinet, Barrick Stees, bassoon, Nathaniel Silberschlag, horn.

Click here to purchase CONCERT 3 tickets.

Concert 3 Open Rehearsal

Date | Time: Wednesday, March 20 | 7:00 pm
Location: Heights Arts

• Brief Q and A Session to Follow Event
• Please Note: The length of this event is dependent on the needs of the musicians. You may discreetly exit the event before it is complete if needed. 

Click here to RSVP for CONCERT 3 Open Rehearsal.

Concert 4 |Chopin & Rachmaninov: Piano Duo

Date | Time: Sunday, April 14, 2024 | 3:00 pm
Location: Shaker Heights Villa

Performers: Dane Johansen, cello, and Dan Overly, piano

                                                                     Concert Host: Rachel Rawson and Charles Cowap

Note: this event’s program has changed since it’s original posting.

Click here to purchase CONCERT 4 tickets.

Concert 4 Open Rehearsal

Date | Time: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 | 6:00 pm

Location: Heights Arts

• Brief Q and A Session to Follow Event
• Please Note: The length of this event is dependent on the needs of the musicians. You may discreetly exit the event before it is complete if needed. 

Note: the date for this event has changed since it’s original posting.

Click here to RSVP for CONCERT 4 Open Rehearsal

Concert 5 | The Omni Quartet and Frank Rosenwein play Milhaud and Debussy

Date | Time: Sunday, June 2, 2024 | 3:00 pm
Location: Barrie Carriage House

Performers: Amy Lee, violin, Alicia Koelz, violin, Joanna Patterson Zakany, viola, Tanya Ell, cello, plus Frank Rosenwein, oboe, and Charles Carleton, bass.

Concert Host: Kathy and Dennis Barrie
Concert Sponsor: Marjorie Simon

Click here to purchase CONCERT 5  tickets

FREE TICKETS for First-Time Close Encounters Attendees

Board President, Bill Stigelman, is generously sponsoring two complimentary tickets per concert to eight lucky winners who have never before attended a Heights Arts’ Close Encounters performance. The winners will experience what keeps our loyal audience members coming back –  the opportunity to hear world-class chamber music as it was meant to be heard in intimate and beautiful homes and venues.

We will randomly draw names prior to each concert and notify the winner the week before. Click here to enter.