Princeton U. Concerts Expands Community Outreach With Free Programming

PRINCETON, NJ – Princeton University Concerts (PUC) has launched an expanded community outreach initiative featuring diverse programming to make classical music more accessible to local audiences.

The new offerings include Do-Re-Meet social gatherings for music enthusiasts, documentary screenings at Princeton Garden Theatre, complimentary Live Music Meditations, and free book discussion groups at Princeton Public Library.

Registration and tickets for all events are available at puc.princeton.edu or by calling 609.258.9220. PUC's Admit All program provides subsidized tickets for qualifying community members, with details at puc.princeton.edu/admit-all.

“One of the most remarkable pieces of feedback we received about our community events was from a book group attendee,” says PUC Director Marna Seltzer. “The participant said that music is not usually her thing, but thanks to the book group, she could come in through a book and attend the concert with an open heart. We’re excited to keep exploring music from different angles with our community this season, and we’re thankful to our partners at the Princeton Garden Theatre and Princeton Public Library and to Risa Grimaldi of TheSinglesGroup.com for helping us facilitate these deep connections.”

The programming reflects partnerships with Princeton Garden Theatre, Princeton Public Library, and TheSinglesGroup.com facilitator Risa Grimaldi.

AT THE PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Out Loud by Mark Morris | Book Discussion | Free, Registration Required

Hybrid Book Discussion (Zoom & In Person): Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 12 PM

with Tina Fehlandt, founding member of the Mark Morris Dance Group and Senior Lecturer in Dance at Princeton University.

Quartet | Film Screening | Free, No Registration Required

Part of the Princeton Public Library’s “Reel Inquiry: A Weekend of Arts and Humanities on Screen” film festival

Sunday, October 19, 2025 | 2 PM

Hard by a Great Forest by Leo Vardiashvili | Book Discussion | Free, Registration Required

Hybrid Book Discussion (Zoom & In Person): Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 12PM

This season’s events at the Princeton Public Library bring enhanced context to PUC’s Music & Healing series events: The Dance Lives On: Contemplating Artistic Legacy with choreographer Mark Morris (Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 7:30PM); Mourning through Music with opera director Peter Sellars (Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 7:30PM); and Sounding Defiance: Georgia & Ukraine with violinist Lisa Batiashvili (Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 7:30PM).

Mark Morris’ memoir, Out Loud, provides fascinating insight into the choreographer’s background and philosophy. Quartet, a comedy-drama directed by Dustin Hoffman starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, and Pauline Collins about four elderly opera singers at a retirement home, incorporates themes of legacy and mourning. Leo Vardiashvili’s Hard by a Great Forest delves into the context of postwar Georgia, a country still grappling with the consequences of Russian occupation and aggression.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed working with PUC to curate book groups around their events over the past two years,” says Janie Hermann, a librarian and the manager of public programming for Princeton Public Library. “The discussions at our joint book groups have always been not only informative but huge testaments to the important role music plays in our lives. I have been continually impressed by the sensitivity, vulnerability, and passion that our community has brought to these discussions.”

LIVE MUSIC MEDITATION

with MATT WEINER, Meditation Guide

Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 9 AM

RICHARDSON CHAMBER PLAYERS

Grand Hall, Princeton University Art Museum

Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 12 PM

EMI FERGUSON, Flute

Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 12 PM

THÉO OULD, Accordion

Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall

PUC’s internationally acclaimed Live Music Meditation program, presented in collaboration with the Princeton University Office of Religious Life, facilitates poignant, focused listening experiences. Held over lunchtime on weekdays, Live Music Meditations are free and open to the public. Each event begins with a brief period of meditation instruction led by Matt Weiner, Princeton University Associate Dean of Religious Life. Then, attendees settle into a quiet state for a few minutes before live music emerges from silence. This year, PUC invites audiences to “breathe in music” played live by Princeton University performance faculty in the Richardson Chamber Players, flutist Emi Ferguson, and accordionist Théo Ould. The live music meditation with the Richardson Chamber Players, a resident ensemble of Music Department faculty, will be presented as part of opening festivities for the new Princeton University Art Museum.

No prior experience with meditation is necessary for attendance. Capacity is limited.

DO-RE-MEET

Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 7 PM

PRE-CONCERT SPEED DATING

Followed by the Takács String Quartet and Violist Jordan Bak

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 7 PM

PRE-CONCERT SPEED FRIENDING

Followed by cellist Abel Selaocoe

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 7 PM

PRE-CONCERT LGBTQIA+ and ALLIES MINGLE

Followed by accordionist Théo Ould

Do-Re-Meet brings concertgoers together through fun, facilitated social events before world-class performances. This season’s sessions are co-hosted by Risa Grimaldi of TheSinglesGroup.com, who has been facilitating connections at all levels—romance, friendship, business, and beyond—for nearly 20 years across NY and NJ. Since the launch of Do-Re-Meet in 2022, events have sold out with a match rate around 90%.

The Speed Dating evening welcomes participants ages 24+, with daters split into three age groups: Group Do: 24-39 | Group Re: 40-59 | Group Mi: 60+. The LGBTQIA+ and Allies Mingle and Speed Friending event are open to music lovers of all ages. Each event features hors d’oeuvres from Olsson’s Fine Foods, new connections at Princeton’s historic Maclean House, and a short walk to the concert together.

“Sharing a love of music adds a deeper, more special bond,” says co-host Risa Grimaldi. “That’s why the odds of finding a match—or a new friend—skyrocket at Do-Re-Meet.”

The Do-Re-Meet LGBTQIA+ and Allies Mingle doubles as an “Ugly Sweater Party,” complete with an Ugly Sweater contest and raffle prizes. “Last year’s Mingle was joyful, spirited, and fabulously kitschy,” recalls Paula Alekson, a PUC Committee member and member of and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. “The Ugly Sweater Contest added some holiday spice and friendly (but fierce) competition—all in good fun, and creating wonderful connections among such fabulous folx attending!”

Tickets ($53 General/$26 Students) include access to both the pre-concert social event and ensuing concert. Discounts are also available to registrants of PUC’s Admit All ticket access program (learn more at puc.princeton.edu/admit-all.)

AT THE PRINCETON GARDEN THEATER

PUC continues its longstanding partnership with the Princeton Garden Theatre, the community’s local nonprofit arthouse cinema, screening documentaries related to PUC programming.

Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 7 PM

PAVAROTTI: A rousing, deeply moving portrait of the world’s most beloved tenor by Oscar®-winning director Ron Howard. This screening celebrates the legacy of a legendary voice—one that echoes throughout PUC’s 2025–26 season through tenor Benjamin Bernheim (Thursday, February 5, 2026) hailed as “the most beautiful tenor voice since Luciano Pavarotti” (Süddeutsche Zeitung); mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato with Time for Three (Sunday, February 22, 2026); and a conversation with choreographer Mark Morris (Wednesday, October 8, 2025) reflecting on his own artistic legacy.

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 7 PM

PORCELAIN WAR: Co-sponsored by the Princeton Public Library. A harrowing, visually arresting portrait of artists on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine by Oscar®-winning producer and acclaimed war correspondent-turned-director Brendan Bellomo. This screening sets the stage for violinist Lisa Batiashvili’s conversation and performance (Wednesday, April 29, 2026), in which she reflects on the role of art in the face of conflict in Georgia and Ukraine.

Tickets ($15.25 General/$10 Princeton Garden Theatre members/$12 Students) are available through the Princeton Garden Theatre.

2025–2026 SEASON CONCERTS AT-A-GLANCE

*Denotes Princeton University Concerts debut

All events are held at Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall on the Princeton University campus,

unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 12 PM | FREE

BOOK DISCUSSION: OUT LOUD BY MARK MORRIS

Hybrid: at the Princeton Public Library and on Zoom

Led by library staff, featuring guest Tina Fehlandt

Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 7 PM

DO-RE-MEET:

PRE-CONCERT SPEED DATING

Maclean House, Princeton University

Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 6 PM & 9 PM

TAKÁCS STRING QUARTET

JORDAN BAK, Viola

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 7 PM

DO-RE-MEET:

PRE-CONCERT SPEED FRIENDING

Maclean House, Princeton University

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 6 PM & 9 PM

ABEL SELAOCOE*, Cello

Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 7 PM

PAVAROTTI (Documentary)

Princeton Garden Theatre

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 7:30 PM

MARK MORRIS, Choreographer

ARA GUZELIMIAN, Moderator

The Dance Lives On: Contemplating Artistic Legacy

Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 1PM

MEET THE MUSIC

THE CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER

BRUCE ADOLPHE, Host

Musical Fairytales, curated for kids ages 6-12 and their families

Sunday, October 19, 2025 | 2 PM

Quartet (Film)

Princeton Public Library

Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 7:30 PM

BELCEA STRING QUARTET

Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 9 AM

LIVE MUSIC MEDITATION:

RICHARDSON CHAMBER PLAYERS

Presented as part of opening festivities for the new Princeton University Art Museum

Grand Hall, Princeton University Art Museum

Sunday, November 2, 2025 | 3 PM

RICHARDSON CHAMBER PLAYERS

A Little Night Music

Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 7:30 PM

PAUL LEWIS, Piano

Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 12 PM

LIVE MUSIC MEDITATION:

EMI FERGUSON, Flute

Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 6 PM & 9 PM

EMI FERGUSON, Flute

RUCKUS, Early Music Band*

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 7:30 PM

PETER SELLARS*, Director

ARA GUZELIMIAN, Moderator

Mourning through Music

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 12 PM

LIVE MUSIC MEDITATION:

THÉO OULD*, Accordion

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 7 PM

DO-RE-MEET:

PRE-CONCERT LGBTQIA+ & ALLIES MINGLE

Maclean House, Princeton University

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 6 PM & 9 PM

THÉO OULD*, Accordion

Presented in collaboration with Princeton Sound Kitchen

Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 12 PM | FREE

BOOK DISCUSSION: HARD BY A GREAT FOREST BY LEO VARDIASHVILI

Hybrid: at the Princeton Public Library and on Zoom

Led by library staff

Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 7:30 PM

BENJAMIN BERNHEIM*, Tenor

CARRIE-ANN MATHESON*, Piano

Thursday, February 12, 2026 | 7:30 PM

MARMEN STRING QUARTET*

Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 3 PM

JOYCE DiDONATO, Mezzo-soprano

TIME FOR THREE

Emily—No Prisoner Be

Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 1 PM & 3 PM

LITTLE LISTENERS

RAMI VAMOS, Host

BAYBERRY STRING QUARTET

Time for Music, a relaxed-format concert curated for kids ages 3-6 and their families, adapted for children with autism and other special needs

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 7 PM

PORCELAIN WAR (Documentary)

Princeton Garden Theatre

Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 7:30 PM

TABEA ZIMMERMANN, Viola

JAVIER PERIANES*, Piano

Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 7:30 PM

PATRICIA KOPATCHINSKAJA, Violin

CONRAD TAO, Piano

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY CHAPEL CHOIR

RICHARDSON CHAMBER PLAYERS

Princeton University Chapel

Dies Irae

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 7:30PM

ÉBÈNE STRING QUARTET

Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 7:30PM

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 7:30PM

LISA BATIASHVILI, Violinist

ARA GUZELIMIAN, Moderator

Sounding Defiance: Georgia & Ukraine

Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 7:30PM

LISA BATIASHVILI, Violin

GIORGI GIGASHVILI*, Piano