Classics in the Great Hall

Bethel University's Festival Choir and Orchestra at excited to present Jocelyn Hagen's The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci, in Benson Great Hall. This 35-minute, multimedia symphony was composed in 2019 and has since quickly grown in popularity and been performed over two dozen times across the country. In the words of the composer, "Utilizing the latest in video syncing technology, Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks are brought to life through his words and drawings in an unforgettable multimedia concert experience created for SATB choir, full orchestra, and video projections."

The evening will be rounded out with performances by the 2026 Concerto Aria Winners and performances by the Wind Symphony. Join us for this very special evening in the hall! 

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Excerpt from the program note for The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci: "Rivers of ink have been dedicated to the study of the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci. His genius has been articulated by scholars, historians, artists, engineers, and scientists for centuries, and the legacy of his work will continue to endure the test of time because of his remarkable synthesis of art, science and design. When I first began researching da Vinci and his notebooks, I was overwhelmed. How was I to condense this huge body of work into one 35 minute symphony? (Over 5,000 pages of manuscript have been found.) There was no way I could include the entirety of this work, so my goal became serving the spirit of his work and his curious mind..."

Learn more about The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci, from composer Jocelyn Hagen's TEDx Talk on this unique work.