Message from Leadership
Letter from College of Arts and Sciences Dean Caleb Everett
The Master Players Concert Series—led with vision and creativity by University of Delaware Trustees Distinguished Professor of Music Sean Gao and his talented team—has become one of our campus’s most cherished traditions, bringing world-class artistry to our community year after year.
We are deeply grateful to the generous donors and members of the Master Players Advisory Council for their steadfast support. Their commitment and leadership make these extraordinary performances possible and enrich the cultural life of our university.
This season, Master Players will once again showcase remarkable musicians whose performances promise to inspire, uplift and connect us. Their artistry not only brings joy to audiences but also provides our students with invaluable opportunities to engage with the transformative power of music.
I look forward to joining you in celebrating another season of unforgettable performances.
Warm regards,
Caleb Everett
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
University of Delaware
Letter from Master Players Advisory Council Chair Mike Luck and Faculty Director Sean Gao
Dear Friends and Members of the University of Delaware Community,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 season of the UD Master Players Concert Series!
For the past 22 years, Master Players has created with connections, bringing world-class artists to the stage and giving students opportunities to interact with them and learn beyond the classroom. We have innovated with intention by incorporating new technologies with artistic virtuosity to entertain our audiences and inspire students as they prepare for careers in the arts. We have programmed inspirational events and commissioned new works to encourage this musical community to belong with joy through the universal language of music. And we stand with pride as Delaware's flagship concert presenter.
As an annual recipient of support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Delaware Division of the Arts, we look forward to sharing with you a season of exceptional performances, educational partnerships and meaningful community engagement.
Today's students have instant access to more information than any generation before them, yet many also face increasing isolation and the challenges of a rapidly changing technological world. Affordable live music, made possible by our donors, offers something technology cannot replicate. It invites our students to slow down, listen deeply, and experience moments of beauty, curiosity and connection.
On behalf of our Advisory Council, guest artists, staff, and volunteers, thank you to the many donors, sponsors and audience members whose generosity has sustained UD Master Players for the past 22 years. With your support, we inspire students, enrich our community and celebrate the enduring and unifying power of live music. We are also empowered by you to explore ways to welcome and subsidize attendance for the heroes who serve our community as first responders, caregivers, and civil servants.
With gratitude,
Mike Luck, Chair, Master Players Advisory Council
Sean Gao, Director, UD Master Players, UD Trustees Distinguished Professor of Music (Violin)
