Cincinnati Song Initiative is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a season that expands its reach through live radio broadcasts, new national partnerships and a diverse mix of classic and contemporary song.
CSI’s 2025-2026 three-performance Mainstage series includes “Grown from a Miracle” on Sept. 6, “Norden” on Nov. 8 and “Liebeslieder Salon” on Feb. 8. Each event will be a blend of classic repertoire mingled with new, and even brand-new, repertoire.
The season opens with “Grown from a Miracle,” featuring premieres by Jasmine Barnes, Christopher Churcher and Will Liverman alongside American classics by Charles Griffes and Samuel Barber.
In “Norden,” CSI will take audiences on a lyrical journey through Scandinavian music, curated by Fulbright Scholar Alisa Jordheim and including works by the likes of Jean Sibelius and Edvard Grieg.
The season closes with “Liebeslieder Salon,” a warm celebration of German song with solo and ensemble pieces by Franz Schubert, the Schumanns, Johannes Brahms and more, evoking the intimate salon concerts of 19th-century Europe.
Full concert programs and artist lineups are available below.
(Photo by Tina Gutierrez)
“It brings immense joy to celebrate the launch of CSI’s tenth anniversary,” Samuel Martin, founding artistic director. Since then, CSI has grown into a national organization entirely led by artists, producing dozens and shows and concerts across the country, including Cincinnati.
Making classical music more accessible
This season, CSI begins a partnership with Cincinnati Public Radio to perform all of its MainStage concerts at the broadcaster’s Scripps Family Center for Public Media in Evanston. Beyond the in-person experience, the performances will air live on 90.9 WGUC, complete with on-air hosts offering context and commentary.
The shows will also feature curated wine pre- and post-performance receptions, hosted by Hart & Cru, that match each concert’s unique cultural theme.
“To welcome such a roster of world-class artists, as well as new and returning audience members in an exciting live-broadcast format with Cincinnati Public Radio, is a thrill beyond anything we could have envisioned when our first season launched a decade ago,” Martin said.
“The goal with our concerts,” he continued, “has always been to create a welcoming environment for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned classical music enthusiast, a curious newcomer, a student or young professional, or a visitor to Cincinnati looking for a unique experience.
Jenell Walton, VP of content at CPR, described Cincinnati Song Initiative as having an “impressive history of bringing their unique programming to venues around our area and the country.” Given her organization’s operation of WGUC – the local classical music station – the relationship made sense.
“As the only classical music station in greater Cincinnati and a proud partner with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera and May Festival, we’re excited to add CSI to our broadcast schedule starting later this year,” Walton said.
Beyond the Mainstage series, CSI’s touring division will return to The Hartt School at the University of Hartford for the Festival of American Song. In Cincinnati, the company will collaborate with the Red Door Chamber Series and members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for “Where We Abide,” an evening of vocal chamber music.
CSI’s annual digital concert, “Let It Be New,” will showcase world premieres by emerging composers in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Mentoring Program, continuing the organization’s commitment to promoting new voices in the art song genre.
To mark the season, CSI has launched its Ten for Ten campaign, aiming to raise $10,000 to support artist fees. Longtime supporters Lori Laitman and Bruce Rosenblum will match all contributions dollar for dollar.
Season in detail
“Grown from a Miracle” – Saturday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m.
The season-opener is a sweeping program of American and contemporary song. The concert features the Midwest premiere of Jasmine Barnes’ “A Miracle in Legacy,” the North American premiere of Christopher Churcher’s “Skysongs” and the Midwest premiere of “Morning and Life’s Tragedy” by baritone Will Liverman. Rounding out the program are Charles Griffes’ “Three Poems of Fiona Macleod” and Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915.”
Liverman is joined by soprano Magdalena Kuźma and pianists Kirill Kuzmin and William Woodard, with Elaine Diehl serving as host.
“Norden” – Saturday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m.
This lyrical journey offers a unique look at the music and poetry of Scandinavia, curated by soprano Alisa Jordheim, a Fulbright Scholar and fellow of the American Scandinavian Foundation. The program features works by Tor Aulin, Bo Linde, Jean Sibelius and Edvard Grieg, including Sibelius’ “Norden” and selections such as “Var det en dröm?,” “Säv, säv, susa” and “Flickan kom ifrån sin elsklings möte.” Grieg’s “Haugtussa, Op. 67” anchors the program with its rich storytelling and folkloric color.
Soprano Alisa Jordheim and mezzo-soprano Kathryn Leemhuis are joined by pianists Christina Lalog Seal and CSI’s Samuel Martin.
“Liebeslieder Salon” – Sunday, Feb. 8, 3 p.m.
To conclude the season, CSI offers a warm, romantic celebration of German song. The afternoon program features solo and ensemble works by Franz Schubert, Clara and Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Fanny Hensel and others. Drawing inspiration from the intimate salon concerts of 19th-century Europe, the artists channel the spirit of friends gathering to share music, poetry and connection, echoing Cincinnati’s own deep German roots.
Soprano Murrella Parton, mezzo-soprano Lucy Evans, tenor Daniel Weeks and baritone Jorell Williams perform alongside pianists Allen Perriello and Marie-France Lefebvre.
https://www.cincinnatisonginitiative.org
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