This year, the Shedd Institute is proud to present five concerts as a part of our ongoing American Symphonia series, focusing on the best in American classical music. This year’s richly varied offerings include two presentations of internationally-renowned musicians in conjunction with our Now Hear This series, as well as two chamber music concerts featuring some of our favorite local musicians, and a vocal recital by Maria Jette. We are proud to present acclaimed composer and performer Philip Glass in his first visit to Eugene in over 15 years, in a solo piano concert on February 15th featuring some of his most hypnotic and energetic compositions. Violinist Mark O’Connor returns to The Shedd on May 17th for the first time since 2003 with his Appalachia Waltz Trio, performing new arrangements of music from O’Connor’s award-winning collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer, Appalachia Waltz and Appalachian Journeys. Our favorite soprano, Maria Jette, will captivate us with a recital of both traditional American folk songs and songs inspired by American folk music on November 3rd. Clarinetist Michael Anderson, pianist Victor Steinhardt, and other guests will celebrate the classical interests of swing era clarinetist Benny Goodman on March 9th, and the stellar violin and piano duo of Fritz Gearhart and John Owings will perform music by Amy Beach, William Grant Still, and other American composers on May 25th.