“Our program ‘Radiance’ features works by Luigi Boccherini, Ludwig van Beethoven and Felix Mendelssohn, bringing together eight musicians for an afternoon of intimate expression, lyrical beauty and the rich sonorities of chamber music,” says Sara Male, Gabriel Chamber Ensemble Executive Director.

The Gabriel Chamber Ensemble presents “Radiance,” 3 p.m. Nov. 15, Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven.

Elizabeth Wright is guest violinist for the concert.

“The concert opens with Boccherini’s ‘Cello Quintet in E major, Op. 11, No. 5, G.275,’ which highlights the warm expressive voice of the cello followed by the third movement of Beethoven’s ‘String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132,’ a work of extraordinary tenderness and spiritual depth,” Male says.

After intermission, the program concludes with Mendelssohn’s “Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20,” filled with youthful energy and dazzling musical interplay.

“There’s something truly special about bringing eight string players together for Mendelssohn’s ‘Octet,’” says Dana Allaband, Gabriel Chamber Ensemble Artistic Director.

“The energy and interplay between the musicians create an experience that is both intimate and exhilarating. Paired with the elegance of Boccherini and profound beauty of Beethoven, this is a program that offers a remarkable range of musical expression,” says Male.

“It’s a program that reminds us why live chamber music is such a special experience,” Male says.

“Radiance,” Gabriel Chamber Ensemble, 3 p.m. Nov. 15, Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 252 Dock St., Schuylkill Haven. Tickets: 570-943-2558; https://gabrielensemble.org/calendar/

“As a singer and choral educator, I believe that performance and teaching are deeply connected,” says Derrick Thompson, Kutztown University Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies.

“I often encourage my students to remain active performers and to continue developing their voices, even as they pursue careers in education. It is important that we continue practicing what we teach and maintain a connection to the artistry that inspired us,” Thompson says.

Derrick Thompson presents Faculty Voice Recital, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University.

Accompanied by pianist Atsuko Hanson, baritone soloist Thompson opens with operatic works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Gaetano Donizetti followed by Roger Quilters’ settings of three songs by William Shakespeare and the romantic bel canto arietta “Vaga luna, che inargenti” by Vincenzo Bellini.

Additional selections include works by Franz Josef Haydn, George Frideric Handel, Ralph Vaughan Williams, American composer Mark Hayes and Moses Hogan.

The concert closes with “Honor Honor” and “Ride On King Jesus” by Hall Johnson (1888-1970), who helped make the traditional African-American spiritual a globally-recognized art form.

Says Thompson: “This recital features some of my favorite composers such as Mozart and Handel, as well as favorite styles of music, such as spirituals. It also includes a Mark Hayes’ arrangement of “Day by Day,” which will be dedicated to my dad, who passed in January 2026.”

Derrick Thompson, Faculty Voice Recital, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University, 15200 Kutztown Road, Kutztown. Free; Tickets not required. Information: https://www.kutztown.edu/

Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com