Famed mandolinist will perform works of Bach, as well as contemporary music and his own compositions
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Written by: Megan Jones

The University of Iowa’s Hancher will present mandolinist Chris Thile on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the Englert Theatre in downtown Iowa City. Thile's performance will feature music by J.S. Bach, and he will also play contemporary music, including some of his own compositions.

Thile moves seamlessly from genre to genre. His career took off in the early 1990s when he met the Watkins family and created the renowned acoustic folk trio Nickel Creek. Since the formation of the group—when  he was only eight years old—he has also released six solo albums, the first at age 12. He also leads the popular band Punch Brothers and has performed with Yo-Yo Ma and Friends.

Thile has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman, and has also performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk sessions four times. With four Grammy Awards —the first awarded when he was 16—and 10 total nominations to his credit, Thile has continued to expand his style. He is recognized as one of the most talented and creative working musicians today and will also take over as host of A Prairie Home Companion when Garrison Keillor retires in 2016.

Thile’s performance is supported by the Hancher Partners and gifts to the Hancher Circle through the University of Iowa Foundation.

Tickets, depending on seating, are $30–$40 for non-students, $10–$36 for college students, $27–$36 for senior citizens, and $10–$20 for youth (aged 17 or younger) and are available from the Hancher Box Office.

The Hancher Box Office, located near the parking ramp—first floor,  south end—in the Old Capitol Town Center, is open for phone (319-335-1160 or 800-HANCHER) or walk-up business from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Tickets may be ordered online at hancher.uiowa.edu. Any remaining tickets will be available for sale one hour before show time at the Englert Theatre.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Hancher Box Office in advance at 319-335-1158.