Concerts & Recitals

Cali Immersive Residency: The Hands Free and Members of the Dance Heginbotham

Acoustic Quartet, Classical, Folk, Jazz and Improvisation

November 16 - 22, 2026

The Hands Free is a whimsical acoustic quartet featuring composer-performers James Moore on guitar and banjo, Caroline Shaw on violin, Nathan Koci on accordion, and Eleonore Oppenheim on bass. Drawing from classical, jazz, folk, theater, and experimental traditions, the group creates a vivid blend of joyful melodies, lush textures, and explosive improvisation.

Friends and collaborators for more than 20 years, the members of The Hands Free first came together through New York’s vibrant music and arts scene. The quartet grew out of informal after-hours folk jams and a shared love of creativity, spontaneity, and musical adventure.

Individually, the artists have built wide-ranging careers across concert music, theater, dance, opera, recording, and interdisciplinary performance. Their collective credits include Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy Award-winning work, Broadway productions including Illinoise and Oklahoma!, collaborations with leading composers and ensembles, and performances across classical, folk, jazz, and experimental music.

Date
Recent
  • -
Upcoming
Location
Montclair Campus, Several in Chapin Hall
Cost
Free, Reservations not required
Organizer
Hands Free backstage

Complete Schedule of Events

Wednesday, September 23, 2026  

  • Improvising Class (Students Only)
    1–2:30 p.m.
    230, Chapin Hall, Montclair State University

  • Composition/Arranging Students (Students Only)
    3–4:30 p.m.
    230, Chapin Hall, Montclair State University

Monday, November 16, 2026

  • John Heginbotham Rehearsal with Dance Students (Students Only)
    10 a.m. -1 p.m. 
    Alexander Kasser Theater, Room 104, Montclair State University 
  • The Hands Free Rehearsal (Students Only)
    10  - 11 a.m.
    Alexander Kasser Theater, Green Room, Montclair State University 
  • The Hands Free Rehearsal with Cali Collective (Students Only)
    11 a.m.- 1 p.m.
    Alexander Kasser Theater, Green Room, Montclair State University 
  • Creative Workshop with the New Music Ensemble (Students Only)
    12 - 12:55 p.m.
    230, Chapin Hall, Montclair State University
  • Theory IV: Orchestration (Students Only)
    2 - 4:30 p.m.
    230, Chapin Hall, Montclair State University
  • Violin Class  (Students Only)
    2 - 4 p.m.
    Alexander Kasser Theater, Green Room, Montclair State University 

  • Bass Practicum 
    2 - 4 p.m.
    Leshowitz Recital Hall, Chapin Hall, Montclair State University

  • Violin Practicum (Students Only)
    2 - 4 p.m.
    Alexander Kasser Theater, Green Room, Montclair State University 

  • Rehearsal with Dance Students (Students Only)
    4 - 6 p.m.
    1250 or 1210, Life Hall, Montclair State University

  • John Heginbotham Rehearsal with Dance Students (Students Only)
    7 -9 p.m. 
    Alexander Kasser Theater, Room 104, Montclair State University 

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

  • Craft and Business of Songwriting (Students Only)
    2-2:45 p.m.
    FMTV 278, Montclair State University

  • Jazz Arranging
    2-3:25 p.m.
    Room 230, Chapin Hall, Montclair State University

  • Rehearsal with Dance Students (Students Only)
    3:40 - 5:45 p.m.
    1250 or 1210, Life Hall, Montclair State University

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

  • John Heginbotham Rehearsal with Dance Students (Students Only)
    10 a.m. -1 p.m. 
    Alexander Kasser Theater, Room 104, Montclair State University 
  • Cali Collective Rehearsal (Students Only)
    12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
    G33, Chapin Hall, Montclair State University

  • Dance Rehearsal (Students Only)
    12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
    Leshowitz Recital Hall, Chapin Hall, Montclair State University

  • Cali Midweek Series: Immersive Residency with The Hands Free and Dance Heginbotham
    2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
    Leshowitz Recital Hall, Chapin Hall, Montclair State University
    Get a sneak peek at The Party Scene, a brand-new work by The Hands Free and Dance Heginbotham, presented in a workshop-style performance that invites you into the creative process.  The playful acoustic quartet The Hands Free—featuring violin, bass, guitar, and accordion—blends chamber music with jazz improvisation, while the wonderfully whimsical Dance Heginbotham brings the music to life through movement. This Midweek performance offers a behind-the-scenes look at a new work as it takes shape, with an opportunity to experience the artists experimenting, collaborating, and discovering the piece together.

FREE. Reservations Required

Followed by reception in lobby 

  • Grad Practicum Comp & Practicum Theory/Comp Class  (Students Only)
    3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
    Room 230, Chapin Hall, Montclair State University

  • Rehearsal with Dance Students
    3:40 - 5:45 p.m.
    Room 1250 or 1210, Life Hall, Montclair State University

  • Rehearsal with Dance Students
    7-8:30pm 
    Rehearsal:
    The Hands Free with Singers (Kasser Theater Room 104)
    Dance Heginbotham with Dancers (Kasser Theater Stage)
     

Thursday, November 19, 2026

  • Tech Rehearsal for the Whole Company
    2-6pm 
    Alexander Kasser Theater, Stage, Montclair State University 

  • Advanced Television Class 
    6:30pm- 8:00pm 
    School of Communication and Media, Professor Paige Stewart

Saturday, November 21, 2026

  • Performance: The Hands Free & Dance Heginbotham: The Party Scene 
    7:30 p.m. 
    Merkin Hall, Kaufmann Center, NYC
    Members of the fabulously whimsical Dance Heginbotham join the eclectic ensemble The Hands Free for The Party Scene, a music and dance extravaganza inspired by The Nutcracker and your rowdy holiday office party. Lightly immersive and family friendly, The Party Scene features Nathan Koci, accordion; Christina Courtin, violin; James Moore, guitar and banjo and Eleonore Oppenheim, bass, plus students from Montclair State University. All guests are encouraged to don impressively festive seasonal sweaters.

    Student–artist collaborations at Kaufman Music Center are made possible with support from The Roz Lasker Artist Mentorship Fund.

    Tickets


Sunday, November 22, 2026

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