Welcome to the Music Mondays 2025 season! As the artistic counterpart to the Global Issues programs presented by Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning, the musical journey this season features a host of duo performers as well as a couple of unusual instruments. Musical performance is an ephemeral art that caresses our ears and touches our souls in unique and individual ways. We all experience the joy of music, allowing it to bathe us in the poetry of sound, yet we all react to this art form through our own perception and acceptance.

The unusual aspect of this program is that we also incorporate a musical conversation with invited artists, giving us insight into their lives and musical activities. Invariably, musicians also participate in a variety of endeavors that are extra-musical or they incorporate their performance into social programs that enhance and better their communities. And, as is typically the case, musicians have diverse thoughts about their role in society, how they fit into our era and what meaning they can bring to our lives. Each of our artists this season has a story to tell, and the experience is illuminating; their performances are frequently scintillating.

Instead of highlighting any one performer or group of sessions, I encourage you to explore each one of these musical artists through our brochure. With the modern era internet, you can also read more about them and even hear many of their performances through websites that will whet your appetite for their appearance in Sarasota and Venice. I can promise that the live experience will be even more fascinating and entertaining. You'll also see that the tradition of artists from a variety of disciplines, backgrounds and diversities along with some exceptional local talent will be featured.

Betsy Hudson Traba, co-host for these programs, and I are thrilled to present the 2025 season of Music Mondays and look forward to seeing you and engaging with you in the coming year.

Joseph Holt