Annual MSU festival highlights dynamic chamber music with highly acclaimed musicians

The 2025 Ken and Sandy Beall Cello Plus Chamber Music Festival returns Oct. 6–10, bringing together celebrated musicians and inventive collaborations in three exciting performances. Directed by MSU professor of cello Suren Bagratuni, the series continues its long-standing tradition of presenting chamber music at the highest level, made possible through generous festival underwriters Ken and Sandy Beall.

This year’s concerts offer an extraordinary range of styles and ensembles. The opening event, Symphonic Dialogues, features artist-faculty and alumni from the College of Music in Joseph Haydn’s vibrant Sinfonia Concertante — a unique blend of concerto and symphony where soloists and orchestra playfully interact. Jazz Infusion showcases the artistry of Grammy-winning pianist Taylor Eigsti performing with MSU’s own Rodney Whitaker, weaving together jazz’s improvisation, rhythm and harmony in a chamber setting. The closing concert, Gems for Cellos, immerses audiences in the resonant sound world of the cello through an all-cello ensemble led by Bagratuni, exploring the instrument’s lyrical and expressive power.

“Each year, Cello Plus offers our audiences something truly distinctive,” said Bagratuni. “This season, we’re blending the elegance of classical traditions with fresh perspectives that show the remarkable breadth of chamber music. It is a joy to collaborate with such talented musicians and to share this festival with the MSU and greater Lansing community.”

Three concerts over five days offer concertgoers a unique cross-section of chamber music:

• Symphonic Dialogues, Monday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Fairchild Theatre. Camerata Michigan, conducted by MSU alumnus Tigran Shiganyan, presents Haydn’s Sinfonia Concertante along with other chamber works showcasing the group’s range.
• Jazz Infusion, Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Fairchild Theatre. Grammy-winning pianist Taylor Eigsti joins MSU bassist Rodney Whitaker and special guests for a genre-blending concert that reimagines chamber music through jazz.
• Gems for Cellos, Friday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m., Cook Recital Hall. An all-cello ensemble led by MSU cellist Suren Bagratuni presents a program showcasing the instrument’s expressive versatility and resonant sound.

The Cello Plus Chamber Music Festival is generously sponsored by Ken and Sandy Beall, with additional support from Lauren Harris, Dr. Robert W. Uphaus, Dr. Lois M. Rosen, Marshall Music Co., Pat and Mary McPharlin and the Stanley and Selma Hollander Endowment for Chamber Music.

Reserved seating tickets for individual events are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors (age 60 and older) and $9 for students and those under 18. Find information on this and other concerts, recitals and performances on the MSU College of Music website: music.msu.edu.