Press

There is a moment in a great piano recital when the instrument seems to disappear and only the music remains. A reverie. On Sunday afternoon, October 18, that’s the experience acclaimed 28-year-old Canadian-born pianist, Tony Siqi Yun, intends to bring to InConcert Sierra.

At age 25, Yun is already an international prizewinner and sought-after recitalist. His career has moved quickly. At just 18, he won the Gold Medal at the inaugural China International Music Competition, performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He received the prestigious 2023 Lotto-Förderpreis from the Rheingau Music Festival and established himself as a soloist on the international stage.

Yun graduated from The Juilliard School in 2024, where he was a recipient of the Jerome L. Greene Fellowship. He continues his studies in Juilliard’s master’s program while maintaining an active career as a soloist and recitalist.

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There are sounds that are beautiful. And then there are sounds that seem to reach somewhere beyond words—sounds that quiet the mind, stir the heart and leave you changed, even if only for a moment.

On Sunday, September 13, twenty-one extraordinary voices will come together to create just such an experience when Aeternum, California’s newest professional vocal ensemble, comes to Grass Valley. The performance opens InConcert Sierra’s 80th Anniversary Season, celebrating eight decades of bringing extraordinary classical music and musicians to the community, with an ensemble whose sound reaches across centuries—and across an ocean.

Aeternum’s program entitled ‘Origins’ is, in many ways, a musical conversation between the past and the present. The program reaches back to the Renaissance, to music that has survived for hundreds of years, and places it alongside contemporary works inspired by that same musical inheritance. Allegri’s “Miserere” and Byrd’s “Mass for Five Voices” are among the Renaissance masterpieces at the heart of the program, joined by modern reimaginings from some of today’s most compelling composers.

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The Board of Supervisors recognized InConcert Sierra Tuesday for 80 years of bringing exceptional classical and choral music to the community.

The recognition reflects the Board’s commitment to arts and tourism, one of its priority objectives this year. InConcert Sierra’s performances, educational programs and plans for permanent performance spaces at Crown Point Venues contribute to the cultural experiences that make Nevada County a vibrant place to live and visit.

Founded in 1946 as the Twin Cities Concert Association, the organization began at a meeting in the historic Bret Harte Inn in downtown Grass Valley. More than 1,100 members joined within its first few months, and the first concert was held at the Grass Valley Veterans’ Memorial Building on Oct. 10 that year.

“There’s not many organizations or institutions that survive that long in the community,” Board Chair Lisa Swarthout said. “We’re very lucky in this community that there is a true appreciation for the arts and we have numerous arts organizations who all work together that this community supports.”

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On Sunday, September 13, vocal music enters a bold new era as California’s newest professional chamber ensemble, Aeternum Choir, travels to Nevada County for a spectacular performance presented by InConcert Sierra.

Aeternum is 21-member mixed voice ensemble bringing together an elite roster of singers from some of the most celebrated vocal ensembles from around the world, including VOCES8, Tenebrae, The Tallis Scholars and Chanticleer.

“We wanted to build something completely distinct from a traditional regional choir,” says Aeternum Executive Director Brady Egbert. “By gathering the finest voices from groups like VOCES8 and Chanticleer and bringing them together for intensive concert periods, we are creating a world-class cultural experience. It is a level of vocal chamber precision rarely heard on this side of the Atlantic.”

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The Sierra Master Chorale is welcoming singers of all voice parts to audition for the 2026-27 season. Under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Alison Skinner, the Chorale performs alongside the InConcert Sierra Orchestra, giving members the unique opportunity to collaborate with a professional instrumental ensemble.

The 2026 winter season features an inspiring mix of beloved classical masterworks and cherished holiday favorites. Repertoire includes Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on Christmas Carols,” and seasonal favorites such as “We Need a Little Christmas” and “O Holy Night,” plus selections from Bach’s “Magnificat.”

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InConcert Sierra recently presented a $2000 ICS Music Matters Award to graduating senior Ari Cook. This award honors students currently studying music who have plans to pursue a music major at college or university. Ari exceeds the criteria for the award. Ari’s goal is to study composition and/or technology and applied composition. He has been accepted into two prestigious music conservatory programs, Berklee College of Music in Boston and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. However, he made a pragmatic decision to begin his post high school education at Sierra College before transferring to one of the excellent music programs within California.

His mother, Crystal Cook, said “I knew Ari was committed to learning piano when he played his keyboard independently every day for a year. After the year mark, I knew I had to find him an excellent piano teacher. I saw a video of a friend’s child playing piano beautifully and when I found out that his teacher was Lynn Schugren, I knew that I wanted Ari to study with her.”

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The rockin’ event, Sip ’n’ Song, celebrates its fifth year at Pioneer Park on Saturday, June 27, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., inviting the community to an evening of music, dancing, and festive picnic fun.

Sip ‘n’ Song is a family-friendly fun picnic in the park filled with music, dancing, singing, and fun activities to support and raise funds for the Sierra Master Chorale’s (SMC) programs. The bands are Sons of Boogie and a special mash-up with the Feztones + Love Train. Both bands feature members of the Sierra Master Chorale.

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It’s midweek and kids of all ages are anxious to get out of the house. We’ve got you covered at “Musical Mornings” on Whimsical Wednesdays, from 11am until noon at the outdoor amphitheater at the Nevada County Madelyn Helling Library starting Wednesday, June 24, and running through Wednesday, August 5.

Free to the public, Musical Mornings is a popular, family-friendly summer series of one-hour morning concerts for listeners of all ages. The atmosphere is casual, with attendees bringing their own lawn chairs or blankets and snacks. Kids are encouraged to wiggle, dance, sing, and play.

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