Music Programs

The Power of Music

Music programs have been the foundation of Heights Arts since the first summer concert in 2000. We celebrate the robust talent and exceptional musicians in Northeast Ohio – offering a variety of opportunities to connect, engage, and experience this art form in new ways.

“When you attend concerts at Heights Arts, our other supported disciplines enrich your experience – whether viewing the current exhibition during a Gallery Concert or listening to concurrent live poetry an ARTbar show. The Close Encounters series is the crowning touch with intimate chamber music in the city’s most stunning private homes and local venues.” – Rachel Bernstein, Executive Director

 

View our 2025-2026 Music Program 

2025-2026 Music Programming   

 

Close Encounters Individual and Season Tickets On Sale Now

Don’t get closed out of your favorite music events. Get your tickets now.

Close Encounters Performances

This highly popular Sunday afternoon chamber music series features members of The Cleveland Orchestra members and other world-class performers. Presented in intimate settings, such as historic homes and unique local venues, these concerts offer audiences a rare opportunity to experience exceptional music in intimate, inspiring settings.

Gallery Concerts

Heights Arts brings a dynamic mix of musical genres to our gallery, showcasing the exceptional talent of local musicians. At the heart of this program is our commitment to supporting Northeast Ohio artists by providing paid opportunities to share their music with the community.

All performances begin at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Arrive early and experience the rotating exhibitions in the gallery or explore locally made goods in our store.

  • October 9, 2025: Amani Strings
  • March 7, 2026: Mud Window Mud Mirror
  • May 2, 2026: Klezmer Guy Trio

ARTbar: Music and Cocktails

Launched in 2022, ARTbar transforms the Heights Arts gallery into an intimate cocktail lounge, where guests can enjoy dynamic music performances across genres — from jazz and Latin to spoken word — alongside rotating exhibitions of local art.

The first ARTbar featured Cleveland Heights Poet Laureate Ray McNiece and Sounds of Jazz, whose dynamic performance blended jazz with improvised poetry. The program was a wild success and propelled forward with fiery Latin jazz by Jackie Warren, Sammy DeLeon, and Patricia Bussert. ARTbar continues to elevate the standard for concert experiences by offering quality events surrounded by Cleveland area art.

  • February 12, 2026: Burning River Swing
  • April 9, 2026: Tongue in Groove
  • June 25, 2026 Tony Cuda’s Jazz Cats 

Community Partner Concerts

As a non-profit committed to connecting arts and community, Heights Arts often partners with No Exit, Future Heights Community Development Corporation, the City of Cleveland Heights, and others to help remove barriers to access local music that showcases the exceptional talent living in and around Northeast Ohio.

Upcoming Music Events

Close Encounters: Omni Quartet Plays Schumann and Beethoven
Music

Close Encounters: Omni Quartet Plays Schumann and Beethoven

Sunday 11/16/25
3:00pm - 5:00pm
The acclaimed Omni Quartet returns to Close Encounters to present an afternoon of favorites including Robert Schumann’s String Quartet No. 1, a masterful study in counterpoint, and the first of Beethoven’s late quartets, a set of pieces that are arguably the finest chamber music the composer produced. Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, and the second concert in this season's series features performers Amy Lee, violin, Alicia Koelz, violin, Joanna Patterson Zakany, viola, and Tanya Ell, cello.   Robert Schumann: String Quartet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 41 No. 1 Introduzione. Andante espressivo- Allegro Scherzo presto- Intermezzo- Tempo I Adagio Presto Intermission Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 2 in a minor Op. 13  (Played instead of Beethoven Quartet No. 12) I. Adagio - Allegro Vivace II. Adagio non lento III. Intermezzo. Allegretto con moto - Allegro di molto IV. Presto - Adagio non lento   This concert is generously support by Ioana Missits
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Close Encounters Open Rehearsal: The Taplin Quartet
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Close Encounters Open Rehearsal: The Taplin Quartet

Tuesday 2/3/26
6:00pm
The Taplin Quartet rehearses repertoire for their Close Encounters concert "From East to West".  Concert is on Sunday February 8th.   ABOUT: Open Rehearsals provide the rare opportunity for students and adults to glimpse the process of preparing a Close Encounters performance prior to some of the concerts. This one-of-a-kind experience is not only educational but provides a deeper understanding of how performance is put together by some of the world's best musicians.
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Close Encounters: From East to West
Music

Close Encounters: From East to West

Sunday 2/8/26
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Witness the debut of the Taplin Quartet as they bring listeners on a journey From East To West with a varied program including familiar favorites like Waltzing Matilda and Clair de Lune alongside Debussy’s masterful String Quartet in G Minor, Lei Liang's dramatic piece, Gobi Gloria, inspired by Mongolian music, and an elegant arrangement of a Chinese traditional song. Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, and the third concert in this season's series features performers Katherine Bormann, violin, Zhan Shu, violin, Gareth Zehngut, viola, Martha Baldwin, cello.   Stephan Koncz: Waltzing Matilda Claude Debussy: Clair de Lune Lei Liang: Gobi Gloria Intermission Claude Debussy: String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10 Animé et très décidé Assez vif et bien rythmé Andantino, doucement expressif Très modéré – En animant peu à peu – Très mouvementé et avec passion Chinese Traditional, Arr. Akejian: Jasmine   This concert is generously sponsored by: Bill Stigelman
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Close Encounters: Bach and Beyond
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Close Encounters: Bach and Beyond

Sunday 5/17/26
3:00pm - 5:00pm
The final concert in this year’s series, Bach and Beyond, celebrates J.S. Bach’s profound and expressive chorales, arranged for string quartet, alongside Haydn’s inventive String Quartet Op. 76 No. 5 and Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 10, nicknamed the “Harp” Quartet. Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, and the fourth concert in this season's series features the Taplin Quartet, made up of musicians Katherine Bormann, violin, Zhan Shu, violin, Gareth Zehngut, viola, and Martha Baldwin, cello   J.S. Bach: Chorales To be announced from the stage Joseph Haydn: String Quartet Op. 76 No. 5 in D Major Allegretto Largo – Cantabile e mesto Menuetto – Allegro Finale – Presto Intermission J.S. Bach: Chorales To be announced from the stage Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 74 in Eb Major, "Harp" Poco adagio – Allegro Adagio ma non troppo Presto – Più presto quasi Prestissimo Allegretto con variazioni   This concert is generously sponsored by Rachel Rawson and Charles Cowap
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Call for Musicians

Heights Arts provides a unique setting for live music: the acoustics are warm, the audience is close, and the surrounding artwork creates a rich, multi-sensory experience.

If you are a professional ensemble of any genre in Northeast Ohio, we welcome your application to perform in the Heights Arts Gallery Concert or ARTbar series.

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