Join our Fellows, Roberta dos Santos, cello, and Alexandre Negrão, violin, for an eclectic night of music in this intimate setting. From the lyricism of Brazilian masters Osvaldo Lacerda and Chiquinha Gonzaga, to the intensity of Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 7, this program spans worlds of sound and emotion. The program also includes Tucker Fuller’s contemplative The Road Ahead inspired by Thomas Merton’s reflections on faith, and Clarice Assad’s Canções da América, bursting with color and rhythm. Featuring Iris artists Marisa Polesky, violin; Aaron Tubergen, viola and David Carlisle, percussion.

String Quartet No. 1           Osvaldo Lacerda

I. Preludio e Danca               (1927-2011)

String Quartet No. 7, Op. 108.   Dmitri Shostakovich

I. Allegretto             (1906-1975)

II. Lento

III. Allegro - Allegretto

The Road Ahead                                    Tucker Fuller 

I. I have no idea where I am going   (b. 1980) 

II. I think I am following

III. I may seem to be lost

IV. I will not fear

Duas Miniaturas Brasileiras     Chiquinha Gonzaga

Lua Branca from the operetta “O Forrobodo”               (1847-1935)

Corta-Jaca

Canções da América   Clarice Assad 

6. Purahei   (b. 1978)

Monster Melodies at Morton Museum

Witches, werewolves, and violins—oh my! Come in costume for a kid-friendly spooky concert featuring fun and frightful music performed on violin and cello by the Iris Artist Fellows. After the concert, get hands-on with violins, violas and cellos in our instrument petting zoo!

Soprano Karen Slack makes her Iris debut with songs from her recent Grammy-winning album, Beyond the Years: Unpublished Songs of Florence Price, shining a light on the groundbreaking African-American composer. Ms. Slack has been praised for performances that “ripped the audiences heart out” (Opera News). She will also be accompanied by members of the Iris Collective in a set of songs by William Grant Still titled Songs of Separation. A powerful evening filled with today’s leading voices in classical music.  

Experience the colorful spirit of Brazil as returning Iris Artist Fellow Roberta dos Santos (cello) and new Fellow Alexandre Negrao (violin) bring their homeland’s rich musical traditions to life in their first performance of the season.

Friday September 19th 12-1pm

Tickets $10 with FREE donuts from Duck Donuts and fresh brewed Congregation Coffee.

Seating is general admission and lobby opens 40 minutes ahead of showtime to enjoy your refreshments and find a seat. 

Brothers Randall and Miles Goosby return to their hometown with their close friend and pianist Zhu Wang to present a concert of iconic chamber music works in an intimate setting on the GPAC stage. The program features William Grant Still's Suite for Violin and Piano, Beethoven's A Major Sonata for Cello and Piano, and Mendelssohn's Piano Trio in D minor, highlighting the artistry and talent of each musician.

Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly sing-along concert about animals and farm life! After, explore our instrument petting zoo, featuring a string trio with Iris musicians—Cellist Roberta Dos Santos and violinist Gabriela Fogo, joined by violist Luiz Carlos Barrionuevo. Iris’ long-standing partnership with Collierville’s Morton Museum brings together a community of artists and programming in a beautiful Gothic Revival historical landmark setting.

Violinist Elena Urioste returns to Iris as soloist and leader for Recomposed by Max Richter, an exhilarating and imaginative interpretation of Vivaldi’s iconic Four Seasons. This concert explores works expanded and reconstructed to go beyond one single genre. Featuring the virtuosic string sections of the Iris Collective, works by Piazzolla and Shostakovich will surprise and delight audiences. This concert will also feature a piece composed by families from Baptist Centers for Good Grief and Iris musicians as part of a workshop series combining music and meditation as part of Iris’ year-round commitment to health and wellness.

 In this romantic Lunchbreak Concert, Iris Collective fellows violinist Gabriela Fogo and cellist Roberta dos Santos will treat the audience to familiar melodies from classical, film, global, and popular music sources. Swoon and sway to these Love Notes as you enjoy some midday respite, popular music, and treats. Tickets are $10 and include free cookies and freshly brewed Congregation Coffee. 

Harmonic Horizons: A Flute and Guitar Journey

Step into a world where art and music converge in a truly unique setting. Iris Collective presents a concert that reimagines classical music in the Memphis Brooks Museum contemporary gallery. Featuring the captivating sounds of flute and guitar, this performance by the talented duo Elise Blatchford (flute) and Patrick Sutton (guitar) promises to be both delightfully entertaining and thought-provoking.

Prepare to have your senses awakened and your perspective challenged in this innovative and "out of the box" musical experience. Perfect for lovers of creativity and exploration, this event invites you to engage with music in a bold, new way.

To purchase tickets please visit this link.

Daughters and Wives: Women Composers Through the Ages

Explore the intersection of music and history with an evening that celebrates women’s creativity and resilience across centuries. Iris Collective’s string trio featuring our Iris Artist Fellows, Gabriela Fogo and Roberta dos Santos, will perform works by female composers surrounded by pieces from the "Votes for Woman: A Portrait of Persistence" exhibit that focuses on Women's rights, suffrage, and the 1840s through 1920s when the fight for the 19th amendment was in full swing.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience the magic of Iris Collective in the Schilling gallery of Memphis' art museum.

Join us for an enchanting evening of music and art with a string trio performance in the intimate setting of the Power and Absence exhibit. This unique concert will transport you through time, featuring compositions from the Renaissance and Early Baroque periods. The performance will highlight the often-overlooked contributions and influences of women in classical music, both directly and indirectly, across the centuries. Surrounded by the beauty of visual art, the trio's melodies will create a harmonious dialogue between history, culture, and creativity, offering a multisensory experience that celebrates the profound legacy of women in music.

Memphis native Randall Goosby returns to perform the ebullient Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with Iris Collective musicians. Hailed for his expressive powers and dedication to making music more inclusive and accessible, Goosby will be joined by area middle and high school students from the GPAC Youth Symphony. Conducted by Iris founder Michael Stern, these students will perform side-by-side with Iris musicians for Florence Price’s gorgeous work Adoration.

“I heard sounds from heaven; and I heard sounds from hell! Listen! Listen, and I will tell you how it happened.” The chilling imagination of Edgar Allen Poe and a macabre menagerie of creepily curated tunes come to life in a terrifying tour-de-force for mezzo-soprano, cello and piano. Don’t miss this fun and unforgettable Midtown Memphis experience, and come dressed to scare, if you dare.

Program includes:
C. Saint-Saens | Danse Macabre
Patrick Solori | Figaro’s Last Hangover
Gregg Kalllor | Tell-Tale Heart

“I heard sounds from heaven; and I heard sounds from hell! Listen! Listen, and I will tell you how it happened.” The chilling imagination of Edgar Allen Poe and a macabre menagerie of creepily curated tunes come to life in a terrifying tour-de-force for mezzo-soprano, cello and piano. Don’t miss this fun and unforgettable Midtown Memphis experience, and come dressed to scare, if you dare.

Program includes:
C. Saint-Saens | Danse Macabre
Patrick Solori | Figaro’s Last Hangover
Gregg Kallor | Tell-Tale Heart

Shining a spotlight on small businesses with big impact! Iris musicians and Sweet LaLa’s present a concert to fill both bellies and souls.

Sweet LaLa’s Bakery was created out of a desire to connect food to the possibility of second chances and create a story of change for people finding themselves in difficult life circumstances. They have built a space in the heart of Memphis to not just talk about our community needs but to actively respond to them, one person at a time.

Join us at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art for an enchanting evening with Cremaine Booker, also known as "That Cello Guy," a dynamic and innovative cellist renowned for his genre-blending performances. Booker, celebrated for his ability to seamlessly merge classical technique with contemporary styles, will captivate the audience with a program that includes classical masterpieces, modern pop hits, and his own original compositions. His performances are not only a testament to his technical prowess but also to his charismatic stage presence and emotional depth. Experience the magic of Cremaine Booker's music in the intimate and inspiring setting of the museum, where every note will resonate with passion and creativity. Don't miss this unique opportunity to witness a truly extraordinary musician who is redefining the boundaries of classical music.

In this exciting Lunchbreak Concert, Iris Collective 2024/2025 Artist Fellows Gabriela Fogo on violin and Roberta dos Santos on cello bring a variety of instruments to treat our GCT audiences to music from their home country of Brazil. Enjoy some midday respite, irresistible music and complementary treats as we welcome these wonderful musicians to Memphis!