Independent Arts News Reporting Concordia Chamber Players Launches 2025-2026 Season with Sold-Out Performance at Cradle Valley Farm
Reported on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
Pictured Above: Outside the Barn at Cradle Valley. Photo Credit: Zak Winokur.
NEWSROOM POST: NEW HOPE, PA
Acclaimed trio of Ahmed Alom, Mark Dover, and Brandon Ridenour delivers "best program ever heard at Concordia"
New Hope, PA – The Concordia Chamber Players kicked off their 2025-2026 season in spectacular fashion with a sold-out performance at Cradle Valley Farm featuring an extraordinary trio of musicians. The evening showcased acclaimed Juilliard faculty member Brandon Ridenour (trumpet), Grammy Award-winning clarinetist Mark Dover, and Cuban-born pianist and composer Ahmed Alom in their debut performance as an ensemble.
The musical program was absolutely thrilling, with the trio creating a mesmerizing sound that kept the entire audience captivated from start to finish. Their playful and inventive takes on beloved Beatles classics alongside American masterpieces from Gershwin to Copland had everyone laughing, clapping, and even singing along at times. The evening was filled with delightful surprises that showcased not just their individual virtuosity, but the magical chemistry they discovered together as an ensemble.
Pictured Above: R: Brandon Ridenour, C: Mark Dover, L: Ahmed Alom. Photo Credit: Zak Winokur.
“I heard from at least three different people that this was the best program they had ever heard at Concordia,” said the organization’s Artistic Director.
The event featured a creative Beatles-themed culinary experience crafted by Concordia board members, including signature cocktails like “Lovely Rita” and whimsical dishes such as “Magical Mushroomy Tour” stuffed mushrooms and “Strawberry Fields Forever” cupcakes. The evening was hosted by Candace Jones and Stephen Phillips at Cradle Valley Farm.
Pictured Above: R: Brandon Ridenour, C: Mark Dover, L: Ahmed Alom. Photo Credit: Zak Winokur.
The sold-out audience and enthusiastic response marked what organizers are calling their most successful season launch to date, demonstrating the continued appeal of innovative chamber music programming that bridges classical tradition with contemporary creativity.
The organization has announced an exceptional lineup of concerts planned for the remainder of their 2025-2026 season, with tickets available on their website (concordiaplayers.org/tickets).
Pictured Above: Brandon Ridenour, trumpeter, arranger, and one of today’s most sought-after collaborative composers. Photo Credit: Zak Winokur.
About Concordia Chamber Players
Concordia Chamber Players was founded in 1997 in New Hope, Pennsylvania by Artistic Director and cellist Michelle Djokic. Michelle’s gifts for creative programming, her ability to communicate key aspects of the music, and the depth of her multi-faceted collaborations appeal to seasoned and new concertgoers alike.
The concerts include a stellar list of guest artists—including a host of Grammy award nominees and winners—performing in various intimate venues throughout beautiful Bucks County. Concordia showcases a range of talent, from veteran musicians to rising young performers, presenting seasons of treasured masterpieces and unexpected gems.
Students under 18 years are always welcome to our concerts free of charge.
Pictured Above: R-L: Ahmed Alom, Michelle Djokic, Brandon Ridenour, Mark Dover. Photo Credit: Zak Winokur.
