Richardson, Texas, September 14, 2025
News Summary
The Verdigris Ensemble is embarking on its ninth season, coinciding with North Texas Giving Day, aiming to raise $30,000 to support the ‘Reimagine’ season and local educational initiatives. Kicking off with ‘Betty’s Notebook’ at the Eisemann Center, the season promises an immersive experience along with several major collaborative projects across North Texas. Emphasizing community engagement, Verdigris will conduct outreach programs targeting local schools and refugee communities, aiming to cultivate future arts leaders through mentorship initiatives.
Richardson, Texas — Verdigris Ensemble is launching its ninth season to coincide with North Texas Giving Day, setting a fundraising goal of $30,000 to support the season titled “Reimagine” and expanded education programs in local schools.
Key facts up front
The ensemble will open the season with a production of Betty’s Notebook at the Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts from September 18–28, marking Verdigris’s first performance in Richardson. The organization aims to raise $30,000 on North Texas Giving Day to fund productions and school outreach. The new season features multiple major projects, expanded collaborations across North Texas, and a continued emphasis on community engagement and education.
Season opener and artistic programming
Betty’s Notebook, composed by Nicholas Reeves and first performed by the ensemble in 2019, serves as the season’s opening work and is treated by the organization as an origin piece for the company. The composition draws on the historical notebook of teenager Betty Klenck, which contains potential distress messages connected to Amelia Earhart’s 1937 disappearance. That work previously made headlines when it was issued as the first classical music non-fungible token (NFT), selling for $375,000 in 2021.
The upcoming staging of Betty’s Notebook will present an immersive experience. Patrons will move through a series of rooms enhanced by layered soundscapes, projected visuals, and an interactive mobile application designed to deepen audience engagement during the performance.
Overview of the “Reimagine” season
The season comprises four principal concert series with an emphasis on larger productions and collaborative projects across the region. Confirmed highlights include:
- “In C” by Terry Riley — format and presentation details to be determined.
- “This Place Called Dallas” — a world premiere by composer Aleksandra Vrebalov, scheduled for March 13–15 at the Winspear Opera House, exploring themes of home and civic identity.
- “The Velveteen Rabbit” — a musical adaptation of the classic children’s tale, scheduled for May 15–18 at the Dallas Children’s Theater.
Collaborations and special projects
One notable project in the season is “Shams”, a multidisciplinary concert featuring composer Sahba Aminikia, live painting by visual artist Kevork Mourad, and a programmatic focus on the poetry of Rumi. The production centers on themes of love and perspective shifts, and organizers are framing it to address contemporary social concerns relevant to communities in Dallas.
Community engagement and education
Verdigris plans a suite of education and community initiatives alongside its concert season. Outreach will target W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy and Townview High School, emphasizing hands-on workshops and curriculum-linked activities. The ensemble is also inviting participation from local Middle Eastern refugee communities, offering concert access and specially designed workshops to foster inclusion and cultural exchange.
To cultivate future arts leaders and increase youth participation in the cultural sector, Verdigris has established a Student Leadership Cohort for ages 14–18. The cohort provides mentorship, behind-the-scenes exposure to arts administration, and opportunities for students to participate in organizational decision-making and programming.
Funding context and organizational development
North Texas Giving Day is described by organizers as a regional celebration of generosity that plays a vital role in sustaining the cultural ecosystem through community investment. Verdigris leadership attributes part of the ensemble’s growth—from an experimental startup to a recognized leader in innovative choral performance—to past support secured through North Texas Giving Day.
Supporting funding context for small and mid-sized arts groups in the region includes recent grant activity by private funds; the Moody Fund for the Arts announced $445,000 in grants intended to benefit small arts organizations, with such awards cited as helpful to organizations like Verdigris.
Organizational aims and outlook
Across its ninth season, Verdigris plans to emphasize ambitious staging, expanded partnerships with artists across disciplines, and deeper ties to local communities and schools. The combination of immersive performance strategies, cross-disciplinary collaborations, targeted outreach to refugee communities, and youth leadership training forms the backbone of the ensemble’s stated aims for the “Reimagine” season.
What to expect next
- Fundraising activity centered on North Texas Giving Day with a public goal of $30,000.
- September performances of Betty’s Notebook at the Eisemann Center in Richardson.
- Further announcements on production formats, ticketing, and community workshop schedules in advance of each program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Verdigris Ensemble’s fundraising goal for North Texas Giving Day?
The ensemble is aiming to raise $30,000 to support the “Reimagine” season and education initiatives at local schools.
When and where does the season open?
The season opens with Betty’s Notebook at the Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts in Richardson from September 18–28.
What is special about the production of Betty’s Notebook?
The production is designed as an immersive experience with multiple rooms, soundscapes, projections, and an interactive app. The work was first performed by the ensemble in 2019 and was previously issued as a classical music NFT in 2021.
Which other major programs are included in the Reimagine season?
Featured programs include Terry Riley’s In C (format pending), a world premiere titled This Place Called Dallas by Aleksandra Vrebalov at the Winspear Opera House in March, and a musical staging of The Velveteen Rabbit at the Dallas Children’s Theater in May.
How is Verdigris engaging with local communities and schools?
The ensemble is conducting outreach at W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy and Townview High School, inviting local refugee communities to concerts, offering workshops, and running a Student Leadership Cohort for ages 14–18 to provide mentorship and operational experience.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fundraising goal | $30,000 on North Texas Giving Day |
| Season opener | Betty’s Notebook — Eisemann Center, Richardson — Sep 18–28 |
| Major works | In C (Terry Riley); This Place Called Dallas (Aleksandra Vrebalov) — Mar 13–15; The Velveteen Rabbit — May 15–18 |
| Special project | Shams — composer Sahba Aminikia, live painting by Kevork Mourad, poetry of Rumi |
| Education partners | W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy; Townview High School; Student Leadership Cohort (ages 14–18) |
| Recent philanthropic context | Moody Fund for the Arts announced $445,000 in grants for small arts organizations |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- NBC DFW: Dallas Choral Ensemble Kicks Off Ninth Season
- Wikipedia: North Texas Giving Day
- D Magazine: Verdigris Ensemble Tackles Love, Liberation, and Change
- Google Search: Verdigris Ensemble
- NBC DFW: Moody Fund for the Arts Announces Grants
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Arts
- NBC DFW: Verdigris Ensemble Reimagines the Sound of Christmas
- Google News: Dallas Choral Ensemble
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