Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome
“There exists a passion for comprehension, just as there exists a passion for music.” – Albert Einstein
Artistic Director Cécilia Tsan curates thoughtful musical adventures
under the magnificent vaulted dome of the 100-inch telescope.
The 100-inch telescope is the instrument with which astronomer Edwin Hubble discovered our place in an expanding universe and so expanded our comprehension. The dome for the telescope—designed by Chicago architect D.H. Burnham—is a 20th century temple to science whose acoustics rival the great cathedrals of Europe and provides a unique setting for this ambitious music series.
PLEASE NOTE: Access to the dome performance level is via a 53-step staircase. Mount Wilson Observatory is a mile high in elevation so the air is noticeably thinner. There is no ADA-compliant access. No children under 6.
Every ticket purchase helps to support and preserve this historic observatory for generations to come. Thank you!
2026 Sunday Afternoon Concert in the Dome Dates
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome – July 5: Brass Quintet
July 5, 2026
Brass Quintet
Bernstein “Suite from West Side Story” and more…
Dan Rosenboom & Rob Schear, trumpets, Laura Brenes, horn, Alex Iles, trombone, Doug Tornquist, tuba
Bernstein “Suite from West Side Story” and more…
Dan Rosenboom & Rob Schear, trumpets, Laura Brenes, horn, Alex Iles, trombone, Doug Tornquist, tuba
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome – August 9: Jazz
August 9, 2026
Jazz
Carte Blanche to Tom Ranier
Tom Ranier, piano, Larry Koonse, guitar, Darek Oles, bass
Carte Blanche to Tom Ranier
Tom Ranier, piano, Larry Koonse, guitar, Darek Oles, bass
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome – September 6: Webern String Quartet
September 6, 2026
Webern String Quartet
Todd Mason String Quartet No.5 “The Phoenix” (2025), Beethoven String Quartet No.15, Op.132
Benjamin Hoffman & Chiai Tajima, violins, Alex Granger, viola, Stella Cho, cello
Todd Mason String Quartet No.5 “The Phoenix” (2025), Beethoven String Quartet No.15, Op.132
Benjamin Hoffman & Chiai Tajima, violins, Alex Granger, viola, Stella Cho, cello
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome – October 4: Piano Quartets
October 4, 2026
Piano Quartets
Mahler, Brahms Op.60 in C minor
David Kaplan, piano, Ambroise Aubrun, violin, Ariana Solotoff, viola, Cécilia Tsan, cello
Mahler, Brahms Op.60 in C minor
David Kaplan, piano, Ambroise Aubrun, violin, Ariana Solotoff, viola, Cécilia Tsan, cello
Previous Concerts
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome: August 31
August 31, 2025
LEELOU AND FRIENDS
Leelou, vocals & cello, Tony Bredelet, vocals & guitar, Arnaud Dunoyer, keyboard.
Leelou, young vocalist from Paris who was in the finals of “The Voice” in 2017 at age 11 and is now touring as Nefertari in the Musical “The 10 Commandments” in Europe, also plays the cello. She graduated two years ago from the Pau Conservatory. With her friends, she will offer a variety of songs featuring the various genres that she loves.
Leelou, vocals & cello, Tony Bredelet, vocals & guitar, Arnaud Dunoyer, keyboard.
Leelou, young vocalist from Paris who was in the finals of “The Voice” in 2017 at age 11 and is now touring as Nefertari in the Musical “The 10 Commandments” in Europe, also plays the cello. She graduated two years ago from the Pau Conservatory. With her friends, she will offer a variety of songs featuring the various genres that she loves.
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome: August 17
August 17, 2025
CELEBRATING BEN POWELL
Evan Price, violin, Zach Dellinger, viola, Cécilia Tsan, cello, Roch Lockyer, guitar & vocals, Brian Netzley, bass.
Honoring our dear friend, the late Ben Powell, violinist extraordinaire who passed away way too soon. Ben opened our series at Mount Wilson in 2017 at the very first concert in the Dome. As Ben’s friends, we will perform music from various genres, honoring his exceptional versatility on the violin and his beautiful soul.
Evan Price, violin, Zach Dellinger, viola, Cécilia Tsan, cello, Roch Lockyer, guitar & vocals, Brian Netzley, bass.
Honoring our dear friend, the late Ben Powell, violinist extraordinaire who passed away way too soon. Ben opened our series at Mount Wilson in 2017 at the very first concert in the Dome. As Ben’s friends, we will perform music from various genres, honoring his exceptional versatility on the violin and his beautiful soul.
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome: August 3
August 3, 2025
ZELTER STRING QUARTET
Kyle Gilner & Gallia Kastner, violins, Carson Rick, viola, Allan Hon, cello.
Back by popular demand, this vibrant string quartet of young musicians will perform the World Premiere of Todd Mason’s “The City of Angels” and Beethoven quartets.
Kyle Gilner & Gallia Kastner, violins, Carson Rick, viola, Allan Hon, cello.
Back by popular demand, this vibrant string quartet of young musicians will perform the World Premiere of Todd Mason’s “The City of Angels” and Beethoven quartets.
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome: July 20
July 20, 2025
CELEBRATING THE FIRST WALK ON THE MOON WITH SARAH GILLIS ASTRONAUT-VIOLINIST
Sarah Gillis, Martin Chalifour, violins, Andrew Duckles, viola, Cécilia Tsan, cello, Tim Durkovic, piano.
An exceptional celebration: Sarah Gillis is the extraordinary engineer/astronaut who flew to space in September 2024 In the International Space Station she played John Williams “Rey’s Theme” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With his blessing she will play the violin & piano version as we celebrate the anniversary of the first human steps on the Moon. After the performance of Beethoven’s Piano Trio, Op. 11, she will join Martin Chalifour, Concertmaster of the LA Philharmonic, pianist Tim Durkovic, violist Andrew Duckles and cellist Cécilia Tsan to perform the Schumann Piano Quintet, Op. 44. For the first time in our series, and even ever, piano in the dome!
Sarah Gillis, Martin Chalifour, violins, Andrew Duckles, viola, Cécilia Tsan, cello, Tim Durkovic, piano.
An exceptional celebration: Sarah Gillis is the extraordinary engineer/astronaut who flew to space in September 2024 In the International Space Station she played John Williams “Rey’s Theme” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With his blessing she will play the violin & piano version as we celebrate the anniversary of the first human steps on the Moon. After the performance of Beethoven’s Piano Trio, Op. 11, she will join Martin Chalifour, Concertmaster of the LA Philharmonic, pianist Tim Durkovic, violist Andrew Duckles and cellist Cécilia Tsan to perform the Schumann Piano Quintet, Op. 44. For the first time in our series, and even ever, piano in the dome!
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome: June 29
June 29, 2025
CELLISSIMO
Cécilia Tsan and Allan Hon, cellos
An eclectic program for two cellists/friends playing a World Premiere, “Ready to Rumble” by Gernot Wolfgang, an arrangement of the Bach Chaconne, a Barrière Sonata and an Offenbach duet.
Cécilia Tsan and Allan Hon, cellos
An eclectic program for two cellists/friends playing a World Premiere, “Ready to Rumble” by Gernot Wolfgang, an arrangement of the Bach Chaconne, a Barrière Sonata and an Offenbach duet.
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome: May 25
May 25, 2025
PETER ERSKINE & THE LOUNGE ART ENSEMBLE
Peter Erskine, drums, Bob Sheppard, saxophone, Darek Oles, bass
Carte Blanche. Peter Erskine, drums, has been voted ’Best Jazz Drummer of the Year’ ten times by the readers of Modern Drummer magazine. Bob Sheppard, saxophone, is a professor of jazz studies at USC and can be heard on the soundtracks of major motion pictures and recordings. Darek Oles, bass, a native of Poland, has performed with many major jazz artists such as Pat Metheny, Bennie Maupin, Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, etc… Peter is honored to be part of the “Lounge Art Ensemble,” his favorite improvisational group.
Peter Erskine, drums, Bob Sheppard, saxophone, Darek Oles, bass
Carte Blanche. Peter Erskine, drums, has been voted ’Best Jazz Drummer of the Year’ ten times by the readers of Modern Drummer magazine. Bob Sheppard, saxophone, is a professor of jazz studies at USC and can be heard on the soundtracks of major motion pictures and recordings. Darek Oles, bass, a native of Poland, has performed with many major jazz artists such as Pat Metheny, Bennie Maupin, Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, etc… Peter is honored to be part of the “Lounge Art Ensemble,” his favorite improvisational group.