Journeys

Boston Juventas is thrilled to announce its 2025–2026 Mainstage season, Journeys. Each program in the season examines a unique type of voyage, from the changing of the seasons, to cultural explorations, to the artistic process. Through music, each concert provides an opportunity to reflect on how these experiences shape us — both as individuals and as a community.

“As we began Juventas's third decade, I considered Juventas's next chapter," says Artistic Director Oliver Caplan. "A theme of evolution began to take shape in my mind. This season explores the many ways one can embark on a journey - including natural, artistic, and cultural."

This season continues the ensemble’s rapid growth with more mainstage performances than ever before (15 in total) at 4 venues: the Multicultural Arts Center in Cambridge, First Parish Sudbury, the Brattleboro Music Center, and New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston. The season also continues the ensemble’s mission of lifting up emerging voices that speak to the time we are living in, featuring 50+ living composers, 18 of whom are new to the Juventas stage.

Bella Rose Kelly is one of these emerging voices. Kelly studied with Juventas percussionist Thomas Schmidt at Berklee College of Music and began her journey with Juventas as an Arts Administration Intern. Now Kelley's own music will reach the ensemble's stage, with the world premiere Bloom / Decay on Juventas’s season opener, Bloom, Blaze, Fall, Frost. Of the experience, Kelly says, “As an emerging composer, having the opportunity to be performed by absolutely incredible musicians, gain valuable feedback and insight from them, and get recordings of their performances offers priceless learning opportunities as well as materials for self-promotion and future composition opportunities. It is an invaluable experience I will treasure forever.” Bloom, Blaze, Fall, Frost celebrates the changing of the seasons and will be performed at the Brattleboro Music Center on September 27 and First Parish Sudbury on September 28.

Chasing Dreams for Later Light on November 15 & 16 follows the unfolding of a composer’s journey and features music by Juventas Artistic Director Oliver Caplan. Each piece is connected, and the program offers audiences a window into Oliver’s distinctive voice as a contemporary composer.

Family Photos, which will be performed January 17 in Brattleboro and January 31-February 1 at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill features works inspired by the richness of each composer’s heritage, celebrating the many cultures that shape our country. Through music, the concert traces each artist’s personal journey while inviting listeners to reflect on the diverse threads woven into our shared national story.

In March, audiences will be treated to a special solo performance by Juventas violist Lu Yu. Lu Yu: Center Stage features a program curated by the artist herself with works by Joan Tower, Gabriela Lena Frank, Atar Arad, Jenni Brandon, and Philip White.

A high point of the ensemble's 15-year collaboration with PARMA Recordings, Juventas x Navona Records will celebrate the release of a new album featuring the works of 6 living composers. It will be performed at the Multicultural Arts Center in May.

The season closes with two programs at New England Botanic Garden in the spring. Around the World in 80 Minutes is an evening of solo piano featuring Juventas pianist Julia Scott Carey in a tour-de-force performance of music from across the globe. Music in Bloom, which welcomed over 1,000 audience members last spring, will return for its 6th year. Designed as a roving concert experience through the Garden, this event has become a beloved tradition. 

Journeys kicks off with Bloom, Blaze, Fall, Frost on Sept 27 & 28. Club Magenta subscription packages and single tickets are on sale now at juventasmusic.org.