For nearly four decades, pianist and teacher Donald Hageman has enhanced the cultural atmosphere of Dayton, Ohio—and the entire Midwest—by offering pianists of artistic distinction on his Soirées Musicales series. Since the series' inception, over ninety pianists have graced its roster, and many have been so warmly received that Dayton audiences have requested their return on three or four separate occasions. The Soirées has provided the Midwestern debut for many of these artists, and a large number have gone on to achieve recognition throughout the world. To date, the series has offered a podium to pianists such as Frank Braley, Steven DeGroote, Janina Fialkowska, Kemal Gekic, Angela Hewitt, Garrick Ohlsson, Caio Pagano, Sergey Schepkin, Juana Zayas, and many others of international distinction. In addition, the Soirées has offered the area premieres for contemporary works by composers such as Adams, Birtwistle, Boulez, Messiaen, Prokofieff, Sessions, Shostakovitch, and Stravinsky. The guiding philosophy of the Soirées Musicales has been to celebrate the artistry of the piano by presenting performers of rare distinction, many of whom have traveled uniquely individualistic paths of accomplishment. Happily, that philosophy has been warmly embraced over the years by its audience, which has proven to be one of the most knowledgable and appreciative in America.

—Mark Stryker, The Dayton Daily News

All concerts for the 2008-2009 Season are held at the beautiful Shiloh Church, located at Philadelphia Drive and North Main Street in Dayton. All concerts begin at 8 pm. Shiloh Church’s large, well-equipped sanctuary is one of the most desirable acoustical environments in the Miami Valley, and it is conveniently located with extensive parking.

Click here for directions

Aleck Karis

"The more chordal sections of Bach's piece—his early Toccata in E minor—had as much poetry as the Debussy. ... He is capable, too, of a vast range of color and has an unusual command of rhythmic nuance and phrasing. The benefits to [Elliot] Carter's work were immense."

—The New York Times

Cédric Tiberghien


"The sounds that emerged were often bewitchingly soft and caressing, the passionate moments fiery rather than weighty. This is very close to what we know about Chopin's own playing, and it's a style perfectly suited to the imaginary narratives of these Ballades."

—The Daily Telegraph, London

Spencer Myer

"He delved into the 20th century with Samuel Barber's Sonata, whose morose lyricism and hallucinatory waltz lead to a brash, tangled fugue. Myer concocted a magnificent banquet out of the score's dark brilliance and moodiness."

—The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Yaron Kohlberg


"Yaron Kohlberg played shapely, sonorous Bach and brought ample power, brilliance and poetic breadth to Prokofiev's Sonata No. 8 in B flat major."

—The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Janina Fialkowska



"The much-loved Canadian pianist brought exceptional lyricism and intelligence to Prokofiev’s score, never using the work’s daunting virtuosity as mere display and filling ... the hall in London with her signature: warm, singing, natural.."

—The National Post (Toronto)