Experience music on a deeper level with Prelude: Juilliard’s Preconcert Lecture Series, a new educational initiative led by the school’s faculty and students. These preconcert lectures provide expert insights into the musical, historical, and cultural context behind each performance. Developed to enrich the listening experience for all attendees, from newcomers to seasoned concertgoers, Prelude highlights Juilliard’s commitment to making music appreciation accessible and rewarding.
Guided by the school’s Doctor of Musical Arts students, each session explores the themes, inspirations, and artistic decisions that shape the night’s program. With multimedia elements such as visuals and audio clips, these lectures offer a dynamic and engaging introduction to the music, ensuring that you'll walk into the concert with a broader and more meaningful perspective.
Join us before each scheduled performance and discover how understanding the context of the music can deepen your appreciation of the concert that follows.
Key Details:
- Free and open to all ticket holders
- Small, engaging classroom settings near concert venues
- First-come, first-served seating
Spring 2025 Lecture Schedule
Please note that all lecture topics are subject to change.
| Date | Presenter | Lecture Topic | Location | Lecture Time | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, February 10, 2025 | Leslie Ashworth | Echoes of Influence: How Past and Present Converge in Sound | Juilliard Station | 6:15pm | Juilliard Orchestra Conducted by Ruth Reinhardt in Alice Tully Hall | 7:30pm |
| Thursday, February 20, 2025 | JJ Silvey | Fairytale Origins and Ravel’s Collaboration | Student Multipurpose Room (SMR) | 6:15pm | Juilliard Orchestra Conducted by Louis Langrée in Alice Tully Hall | 7:30pm |
| Thursday, February 27, 2025 | Boubacar Diallo | Duality of Chamber Music in Symphonic Settings | Student Multipurpose Room (SMR) | 6:15pm | Juilliard Chamber Orchestra in Alice Tully Hall | 7:30pm |
| Saturday, March 29, 2025 | Michele Wong | Beethoven’s Early Symphonic Works and Incidental Music | Juilliard Station | 6:15pm | Juilliard415 and Juilliard Orchestra | The Beethoven Project in Alice Tully Hall | 7:30pm |
| Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | JJ Silvey | Origins and Adaptations of Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites | Student Multipurpose Room (SMR) | 6:15pm | Juilliard Opera Presents Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, Peter Jay Sharp Theater | 7:30pm |
| Friday, April 25, 2025 | Leslie Ashworth | Musical Structures in Sound | Student Multipurpose Room (SMR) | 6:15pm | AXIOM in Alice Tully Hall | 7:30pm |
| This event has been canceled. | |||||
| Monday, April 28, 2025 | Michele Wong | Poulenc’s Musical Style and Historical Influences | Juilliard Station | 6:15pm | Juilliard Opera Presents Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites in the Peter Jay Sharp Theater | 7:30pm |
| Thursday, May 22, 2025 | Kian Ravaei | Disability as a Creative Source for Composers | Student Multipurpose Room (SMR) | 4:45pm | Juilliard Orchestra Conducted by Earl Lee in Alice Tully Hall | 6pm |
How to Attend:
Lectures take place in rooms conveniently located near or adjacent to the concert halls. No long walks or complicated directions—simply arrive early to, attend the lecture, after which our front-of-house team will guide you directly to the performance.
- For Station Lectures: Enter the Juilliard Station, immediately to the right of Alice Tully Hall at Broadway and 66th Street.
- For SMR Lectures: Use the main Juilliard entrance on 65th Street and check in with the front desk at the top of the stairs. (Elevators are available.)
Whether you’re attending with friends or looking to immerse yourself further in Juilliard’s performances, Prelude is the perfect way to expand your understanding and enhance your evening. Let Juilliard take you beyond the performance and into the heart of the music with Prelude. We are excited to invite you to this free special offering and look forward to sharing these enriching experiences with you.