Essex Winter Series presents the Award-winning Trio Animoso

Left to right: Sophia Jean, flute; Subin Lee, harp; and Julian Seney, viola

On March 22, 2026 the award-winning Trio Animoso will grace the stage at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek in Chester, CT for our next concert of the Essex Winter Series (EWS) season. This phenomenal group of young artists – Sophia Jean, flute; Julian Seney, viola; and Subin Lee, harp – formed at Yale and won First Prize at the Angel Padilla Crespo International Harp Competition. Continuing this season’s weaving of America’s 250th anniversary celebration into our performances, the Trio will delight with a program called French Impressions, American Echoes. Selections include Debussy’s Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp, as well as pieces by Rameau, Ravel, Bonis and others.

In the days prior to the Trio’s Sunday concert performance, these artists will spend a four-day residency with EWS visiting more than a dozen locations in Middlesex and New London counties as part of our annual Spring Community Outreach. Bringing music to all ages, the Trio will visit schools and senior communities to teach and perform. Included in the schedule this year are two free and open-to-the-public master classes. On March 18 at 4 pm, experience these talented musicians in the intimate setting of the Essex Library Association Buel Room, 33 West Avenue in Essex. Joining with the New Horizons Band of Community Music School, the Trio will perform at the school – 90 Main Street in Centerbrook – on March 19 at 11 am.

The March 22 concert will be followed by two more EWS 2026 season concerts: The Grammy® Award-winning choral ensemble of 12 male voices, Chanticleer, performing Our American Journey on April 12 and our rescheduled January concert, now on November 8, 2026. We are delighted that a new date could be arranged for Timeless Bonds and Renewed Horizons, featuring the stellar collaboration of violinist Ani Kavafian, cellist Peter Wiley, flutist Tara Helen O’Connor, and pianist Shai Wosner. Both remaining concerts take place at Valley Regional High School.

Regular season concerts are on Sundays at 3 pm and all seating is general admission. Adult - $45 / Student - $5. Discounted subscriptions and Flex Passes are available as well. For information or tickets visit www.essexwinterseries.com or call 860-272-4572. For all our venues, parking, entry and seating accessibility is available.

2026 season sponsors include ASP Trust, BrandTech Scientific, Clark Group, Essex Bank & Essex Financial Services, Essex Meadows, Jeffrey N. Mehler CFP LLC, Masonicare at Chester Village, Tower Laboratories, and WSHU. We also gratefully acknowledge the support for our mission of concerts and community outreach received in part through grant funding by ASP Trust, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD/NEA, Essex Bank Community Investment Program, and The Kitchings Family Foundation.