The venue for many of the Artists Beyond the Desk performances,
the MIT Chapel was designed by Finnish America architect Eero Saarinen and dedicated in 1955.

His nearby Kresge Auditorium and Kresge Oval complete the set. 

Read a News story from their 50th anniversary.

Click on the photo to see a video of the designing of the Chapel.

**Note that performances on February 20 and March 6 will be in Killian Hall - 14W

Tuesday, January 22 at noon in MIT Chapel

Meridian Singers presents a lunchtime concert of pieces from the repertory of English and German part songs.
The part song was a popular form of communal music-making in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries,
with roots centuries earlier in such genres as the German Tenorlied. Featured composers include Isaac, Parry,
Mendelssohn, and Pearsall. Meridian Singers is an a cappella ensemble open to all in the MIT community.

Wednesday, February 20 at noon in Killian Hall - 14W

Howard Martin and Varient State

Variant State is a project instigated by Howard Martin (reeds), Jesse Kenas-Collins (trumpet, reeds, feedback objects),
and Michael Rosenstein  (amplified surfaces and objects, modified field recordings, oscillators). Working In various
configurations, they explore the interactions of acoustic instrumentation, electronics, multiphonics, abraded recordings,
and feedback within collectively improvised settings. Their open-form sonic investigations draw on aesthetics of s
pontaneous interaction and dynamic cooperative structures.

https://variantstatetrio.bandcamp.com/

Howard Martin's sound practice focuses on the interactions between instruments and resonant spaces. His longest running
project has been listening through the fragmentary histories of the saxophone and clarinet in jazz and free improvisation and
through this study, synthesizing a personal approach that includes traditional and extended techniques while leaving room for stasis
and near silence.

Working and living in Boston since 2008, Jesse Kenas Collins performs in both solo and group contexts, focusing on the
confusion of brass and woodwind instruments integrated with analog electronics and systems of feedback. Recent explorations
in instrument building have lead him to use of accordion and khaen reeds sounded by small fans and balloons. These instruments
are often distributed around performance space and used as a tonal ground against shifting layers of transient electronic and percussive
material. As an improviser, he works closely with many artist around New England and maintains an active performance schedule.

http://www.jessekenascollins.com/

https://jessekenascollins.bandcamp.com/

Michael Rosenstein explores the interaction of acoustic and electronic sounds in collectively improvised settings and compositional
frameworks. Process is central to his practice. This includes building and modifying sound-gathering devices, amplified surfaces,
salvaged instruments, and simple oscillators. It extends to gathering recordings at ocean beaches, bogs, subways, city walks, and as
part of architectural investigations utilizing microphones, photo diodes, contact microphones, hydrophones,and electromagnetic sensors.
He develops these raw sonic sources, transforming, distressing, and combining them, and feeding off of the unstable sonic results.
His current projects include Variant State with Jesse Collins and Howard Martin as well as his duo with Steve Norton.

http://www.variantstate.com/michael-rosenstein/

Wednesday, March 6 at noon in Killian Hall - 14W

Cindy Woolley in a classical flute and voice recital with piano accompaniment.

Flutist/soprano, Cindy Woolley is an administrative assistant in the Biology Department at MIT.
She has given many solo recitals in the Boston area, including at MIT, and was co-founder of the Silverwood Trio (flute/voice, cello and piano).
She graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music where she studied flute with Lois Schaefer and is currently studying voice with Jayne West.
She is a cantor at Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Church in West Newton. 

Cindy will be performing songs by Samuel Barber and Fernando Obradors and flute works by Claude Debussy, Karl Keller and Gabriel Faure. 

Wednesday, March 20 at noon in MIT Chapel   ** a Double Bill**

Marcia Ross will read from her upcoming novel.

Marcia Ross writes fiction, articles, and poems, and is a writer/editor at MarciaRoss LLC.
She grew up in California, has lived in Ohio, Pennsylvania, England, Scotland, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia,
and resides now in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

For 20 years Marcia taught English Literature and Composition at UMass Boston. She worked even longer as an administrative
assistant at MIT, most recently for Prof Steven Tannenbaum. A few of her favorite things are: edgy flicks, reading and conversation, teatime,
grandchildren, and walking around doing nothing with her dog Finn.

Wednesday, April 3, at noon MIT Chapel

Salvatore Angelone presents songwriting and musical compositions that tell stories that draw you in - all loosely based on actual events or places.

"You'll laugh! You'll cry! It's better than Cats (the musical)! seriously, I think the show has wide appeal and is approachable."
- The artist

Wednesday, April 17 at noon MIT Chapel 

Andy Bohachewsky plays original contemporary music.

Wednesday, May 1 at noon MIT Chapel 

Marana Avant, mezzo soprano, in a classical voice recital.

Wednesday, May 15 at noon MIT Chapel 

Pat Battstone returns with special guest Marilena Parasdisi, an Italian vocalist of international acclaim