Chamber Music Recital Opens Mid-America Performing Arts Alliance Season in Lawrence
Two internationally recognized musicians with close ties to the University of Kansas will launch the Mid-America Performing Arts Alliance’s new season with a free chamber music recital this weekend, the Lawrence Times reported. Cellist Edward Laut and pianist Soojin Jin will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Spencer Museum of Art, located at 1301 Mississippi St.
The free performance is open to the public, with doors opening at 1.30 p.m. for first-come, first-served seating. The program features works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Anton Webern, and Samuel Barber, performed on the museum’s historic 1886 C. Bechstein grand piano.
Performers bring extensive academic backgrounds to stage
Jesse Henkensiefken, executive director of the Mid-America Performing Arts Alliance, noted that the featured instrument is the exact piano Franz Liszt played during his final grand tour of England.
The artists bring extensive performance and academic backgrounds to the stage. Edward Laut served as a cellist with the Cleveland Orchestra, held principal positions in several ensembles, and taught at the University of Kansas for 38 years until his retirement in 2015. Soojin Jin earned her doctorate in piano performance at the university and has maintained an active international performance career, with appearances at Carnegie Hall in New York and the Kauffman Center in Kansas City.
Organizers schedule additional free concerts for season
The opening recital marks the beginning of a broader series planned by the Mid-America Performing Arts Alliance for the 2026-27 season. Organizers have scheduled a handful of additional free concerts, which will include holiday performances, violin and clarinet recitals, and classical music performed in South Park.
In other Lawrence arts developments, the arts nonprofit Lawrence Percolator has secured a short-term rental at the former Squishingtons Candy and Liberty Hall Video storefront. The space previously hosted a pop-up initiative organized through OpenStudios, a local program designed to connect regional artists with vacant commercial properties.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lawrence Recital
Where is the recital taking place and what time should attendees arrive?
The concert takes place at the Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Mississippi St. Doors open at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, ahead of the 2 p.m. start time.
Is admission charged for the concert?
Admission is entirely free and open to the public. Seating operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so early arrival is recommended.
What specific pieces will the musicians perform?
The program includes classical chamber works composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, Anton Webern, and Samuel Barber.