The University Musical Society (UMS) is excited to announce our 145th season, running from September 2023 to April 2024. One of the most acclaimed and innovative performing art presenters in the nation, UMS offers expansive programming that creates unique and engaging ways for audiences to connect with the artists on stage through approximately dozens of music, dance, and theater performances and over 100 free educational activities each season.
The season includes a world première by Nkeiru Okoye, a UMS co-commission by Nokuthula Ngwenyama for the Takács Quartet, debut appearances by conductor Klaus Mäkeklä with the Orchestre de Paris and the Isidore String Quartet, and global performance traditions with Shakti’s 50th Anniversary Tour, Ukraine’s DakhaBrakha, Mariachi Herencia de México featuring La Marisoul, and Marcel and Rami Khalifé.
UMS will be one of only two cities in the US to present DruidO’Casey, an immersion by Ireland’s Druid Theatre of a Sean O’Casey trilogy about key events immediately before and through the Irish Civil War, which took place a century ago. Recital appearances include soprano Renée Fleming, pianist Igor Levit, and the piano trio of Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma.
Dance offerings include Israel’s Batsheva, the Martha Graham Dance Company, and LaTasha Barnes’ The Jazz Continuum.
And in addition to orchestral performances by The Philadelphia Orchestra and Mexico City’s Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería, UMS presents The Godfather Live, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Additional Events and Future Announcements
The season opens with the genre-defying superband Snarky Puppy (Sunday, September 10, Hill Auditorium), performing songs from their 2023 Grammy-winning album Empire Central.
After popular “film with live music” events presented with the New York Philharmonic (On the Waterfront in 2015) and the Detroit Symphony (2001: A Space Odyssey in 2018, Amadeus in 2019), UMS is partnering with the Grand Rapids Symphony to present The Godfather Live (Sunday, January 7, Hill Auditorium). Francis Ford Coppola’s epic film will be presented alongside John Varineau conducting the Grand Rapids Symphony in Nino Rota’s Oscar-nominated score.
Two holiday performances in December include the annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah with the UMS Choral Union and Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra (Saturday-Sunday, December 2-3, Hill Auditorium) and ukulele superstar Jake Shimabukuro, who brings his Holidays in Hawai’i program to Ann Arbor (Friday, December 8, Hill Auditorium).
UMS will present two month-long residencies at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse as part of its 23/24 season, from September 10 – October 8, and in April 2024. The programming for those residencies will be announced about two months before each residency. Additional K12, community, and adult learning & engagement activities, as well as free digital programming, will be announced throughout the season.
Season Ticket Packages
Season Ticket packages, including Choral Union, Chamber Arts, Dance, DruidO’Casey, and Series:You options (select any 5+ events from the season and take 10% off) will be available beginning Tuesday, May 2. Additionally, Marathon Subscribers, who commit to all 32 programs on the UMS season, will receive a 25% discount.
Tickets to individual events go on sale on Tuesday, August 1. To be added to the mailing list or to order season tickets, contact the UMS Patron Services Office at 734- 764-2538 or visit ums.org. About UMS A recipient of the 2014 National Medal of Arts, UMS (also known as the University Musical Society) contributes to a vibrant cultural community by connecting audiences with performing artists from around the world in uncommon and engaging experiences.
One of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country, UMS is an independent non-profit organization affiliated with the University of Michigan, presenting up to 70 music, theater, and dance performances by professional touring artists each season, along with over 100 free educational activities. UMS is committed to bold artistic leadership, engaged learning through the arts, and access and inclusiveness. Since 1990, the organization has cocommissioned and supported the production of nearly 80 new or reimagined works. Matthew VanBesien became the organization’s seventh president in July 2017.
