Music - Drawing Room Chamber Concerts
This series offers a unique opportunity to experience professional chamber music in an intimate listening room. These free concerts take place on the last Tuesday of most months in the school year at 7:30 pm.
Drawing Room Chamber Concert Series
This series takes place in our intimate listening room on the last Tuesday of most months in the school year. There is no admission and reservations are not necessary. Our musicians often take time to share their inspirations and the reasons why the pieces they chose are important to them. Students are encouraged to attend as this is a wonderful way to experience these instruments and the music they make.
2025–2026 Season Line-Up
October 28, 2025 · 7:30 p.m.
Oakwood Brass Quintet — A brass ensemble from Dayton performing a special set in honor of America 250.
November 25, 2025 · 7:30 p.m.
Baritone Ben Flanders & Pianist Sonya Szabo-Reynolds
Featured Work: Sometimes It Happens So by Kile Smith (song cycle, 2022)
→ Learn more about the composer
January 27, 2026 · 7:30 p.m.
Artist To Be Determined
February 24, 2026 · 7:30 p.m.
Andrea Chenoweth-Wells & Ryu-Kyung Kim, vocalists
March 31, 2026 · 7:30 p.m.
University of Dayton Woodwind Quintet
April 28, 2026 · 7:30 p.m.
Artist To Be Determined
Featured November Concert
Sometimes It Happens So by Kile Smith
A moving song cycle of five pieces set to the poetry of Jane Flanders, composed in 2022 by award-winning American composer Kile Smith. The work has been praised for its clarity, accessibility, and emotional depth.
About the Artists
Ben Flanders, baritone
Ben Flanders, baritone
Baritone Ben Flanders is the founder and Artistic Director of Slavic Voices, an art song collective dedicated to the rich vocal traditions of Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic. In addition to his work in opera and oratorio, he is passionate about commissioning and performing new American art song. His recent projects include the Kentucky premiere of Kile Smith’s Sometimes It Happens So at Northern Kentucky University’s Skald Festival. Flanders continues to build a reputation for artistry that bridges classic repertoire with modern voices.
Sonya Szabo-Reynolds, pianist
Sonya Szabo-Reynolds, pianist
Pianist Sonya Szabo-Reynolds is an acclaimed collaborative pianist, educator, and chamber musician. She has partnered with principal players of the Indianapolis Symphony, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, and the Dayton Philharmonic. A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in piano, she served as President of the Ohio Music Teachers Association from 2018–2020 and was recognized as OhioMTA’s Certified Teacher of the Year in 2016. Szabo-Reynolds also serves as an examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music and has contributed research and writing for the Dvořák Society for Czech and Slovak Music.
About the Host: Eric Knorr
The Drawing Room Chamber Concert Series is hosted by Eric Knorr, a devoted supporter of chamber music and a longtime presence at the Hayner. With warmth and insight, Eric introduces each concert, offering audiences background on the performers, the repertoire, and the traditions of chamber music. His thoughtful introductions make the series welcoming to newcomers while enriching the experience for seasoned concertgoers.
Photos from previous Drawing Room Chamber Concerts
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all concerts in this series are free of charge, thanks to the support of Troy City Schools, the citizens of Troy, and Friends of Hayner. Please join us for a reception in the Study including refreshments after the concert.
No. Seating is general admission, and reservations are not required. We recommend arriving early for the best seats, doors open at 6:30 pm.
Chamber music is a style of classical music composed for small ensembles, typically performed in intimate settings such as drawing rooms, salons, or small concert halls. It offers a close connection between musicians and audiences.
