Upcoming Performances
Baroque on Beaver Island: Opening Gala Concert - Silent Awakening
Martha joins pianist Erika Swtizer and Cellist Andrea Yun, in the opening recital for the Baroque on Beaver Island Festival Silent Awakening sets a selection of Schubert songs alongside contemporary works including the recently commissioned Love, Loss, and Exile by Juhi Bansal. The overarching theme of the concert features stories of isolation and separation from Homer’s Penelope to Amaker’s poem commemorating the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Bansal draws texts for her powerful work for voice, cello and piano from the Pashtun Landay, an oral tradition from Afghanistan featuring short poetic couplets, passed down by women and often anonymous. The recital concludes with Schubert’s ‘Lob der Tränen’, in which Schlegel exhorts longing and tears as the mechanism of love’s transformation.
Baroque on Beaver Island: Season Finale - A night at the Opera
Martha joins Conductor and Artistic Directer Robert Nordling and husband Ricardo Lugo alongside other performers in the 25th Anniversary orchestral concert singing many of Opera’s favorite arias and ensembles for their season finale.
Music on the Bluff: Brahms Recital
Martha will join pianist and scholar Benjamin Binder and Baritone Radall Scarlatta for a recital of Brahms Songs on the Music on the Bluff Series at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
Oxford International Song Festival: Schubert in 1826
Martha joins pianist Graham Johnson, Baritone Armand Rabot and tenor Hugo Brady in the uniquely insightful annual lecture series, delving into Schubert’s life 200 years on. As Graham Johnson writes:
ʻ1823 and 1824 were years dominated by Schubert’s illness. In 1825 there had been a once-in-a-lifetime holiday amidst the awe-inspiring scenery of Upper Austria. 1827 was to be the year of Winterreise; Beethoven had died in March, after which Schubert could at last acknowledge to himself that he was the greatest living musician in Vienna, even if he would never have dreamt of saying so. And in 1828, after composing glorious music for the first eight months of the year, Schubert was to fall silent at the age of just 31.
More info can be found HERE
Oberlin Conservatory of Music: Schubert recital
Martha will join Fortepianist David Breitman, Baroque Violinist Edwin Huizinga, and Gamba player Rebecca Landell for an all Schubert recital in Kulas recital hall.
'All About Eve' recital with Graham Johnson
Martha resumes her longtime collaboration with pianist Graham Johnson for a residency at Cornell University, culminating in a recital of songs by Fauré and Schubert. This recital and residency, originally scheduled for January 2026, will be scheduled for a date TBD in early 2027.
sparksLIVE: Sewing on the Shadow
Sparks & Wiry Cries presents the first of its sparksLIVE events for 2027: The world premiere performance of Slow Disclosure for Soprano, Mezzo soprano and Piano. This project, funded by a Legacy Grant from the Sorel Organization which sought to support women in classical music, features Sparks & Wiry Cries Co-Founders Martha Guth (soprano), Erika Switzer (pianist) in a program that centers the world premiere of Slow Disclosure by composer Cecilia Livingston. Her piece examines 8 paintings by Portuguese/British Painter Paula Rego through 5 new songs, with newly written poetry by Duncan MacFarlane. Other composers on this program include Gilda Lyons, Gabriel Faure, Ned Rorem, and more.
sparksLIVE: 11th Annual NYC songSLAM
Sparks & Wiry Cries will produce its flagship 11th annual songSLAM at National Sawdust in Williamsburg, Brookyln . Fashioned after poetry slams and storytelling events, teams of composers and performers compete for $2,000 audience-awarded cash prizes with new art song premieres. Additionally, last year’s commission prize winner, composer Dina Pruzhansky, will premiere her new cycle. Martha is Co-Director/Founder of Sparks & Wiry Cries along with pianist Erika Switzer.
songSPARKS @ The Collaborative Piano Institute
During Martha’s return to Collaborative Piano Institute alongside pianist Erika Switzer she will perform a set of songs on Saturday June 13th in Britton Recital Hall on a faculty concert.
songSPARKS @ The Collaborative Piano Institute
Martha will return to the Collaborative Piano Institute for a fourth time in it’s new home of the University of Michigan in beautiful Ann Arbor. There she will be the Co-Director alongside pianist Erika Switzer of new 9 day Composer-Song program. Invited composition faculty include composer Shawn Okpebholo, composer Juhi Bansal, and poet Susan Stewart, who will join the cadre of wonderful performance faculty already present for the institute.
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra
Martha joins Andrew Constantine, conductor of The Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Tickets can be found HERE.
Mahler’s Second Symphony, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra
Martha joins Peter Rubardt, conductor of The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony. Tickets can be found HERE after Sept. 5th, 2025
sparksLIVE: 10th Annual NYC songSLAM
Sparks & Wiry Cries will produce its flagship songSLAM at the Thalia Theaterat Symphony Space in Manhattan, NY. Fashioned after poetry slams and storytelling events, teams of composers and performers compete for $2,000 audience-awarded cash prizes with new art song premieres. Additionally, last year’s commission prize winner, composer Joshua Bornfield, will premiere his new cycle. Martha is Co-Director/Founder of Sparks & Wiry Cries along with pianist Erika Switzer.
sparksLIVE: The Song Blanket with Rebecca Hass
World premiere performance of The Song Blanket with mezzo-soprano Rebecca Hass (Métis) who melds the curation of place-oriented musical programming, fiber arts practice, and community participation. This performance includes the premiere of a cycle co-composed by Ian Cusson (Métis) and Hass. Martha is Co-Director/Founder of Sparks & Wiry Cries along with pianist Erika Switzer.
sparksLIVE: Stephanie Blythe and Ryan MacEvoy McCullough
Sparks & Wiry Cries presents the first of its sparksLIVE events for 2026: A Cabaret performance by internationally-renowned opera singer Stephanie Blythe with pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough, recounting her love story through song. More info coming soon. Martha is Co-Director of Sparks & Wiry Cries alongside pianist Erika Switzer.
'All About Eve' recital with Graham Johnson
Martha resumes her longtime collaboration with pianist Graham Johnson for a residency at Cornell University, culminating in a recital of songs by Fauré and Schubert.
Oberlin Conservatory of Music: Concert
Martha will join The Oberlin Percussion Ensemble conducted by Tim Weiss performing for a concert of music celebrating the life of Voice Professor Marlene Rosen. One of her oft performed pieces, she will perform a movement from Pli selon pli by Pierre Boulez: Improvisation II sur Mallarmé.
Philharmonie Luxembourg: Face à Face - Schubert
Martha joins renowned pianist and scholar Graham Johnson, tenor Alessandro Fisher and Baritone Armand Rabot in a concert of Schubert songs from 1825. This event happens at the Philharmonie Luxembourg’s Face à Face Series in their Salle de Musique de Chambre. More info, program and tickets can be found HERE.
Oxford International Song Festival: Silent Awakening
Martha joins pianist Erika Switzer for Silent Awakening. This program, during the heart of the festival’s Schubert Weekend sets a selection of Schubert songs alongside contemporary works including the recently commissioned Love, Loss, and Exile by Juhi Bansal, as well as songs by Shawn Okpebholo, Cecilia Livingston, and Iman Habibi. The overarching theme of the concert features stories of isolation and separation from Homer’s Penelope to Amaker’s poem commemorating the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. More info, tickets and the full program can be found HERE.
Oxford International Song Festival: Schubert in 1825
Martha joins renowned pianist and scholar Graham Johnson who continues his survey of the final years of Schubert’s life, 200 years on. This event happens at the heart of the Oxford International Song festival’s Schubert Weekend. Program, tickets and more info can be found HERE
Oberlin Conservatory of Music: Recital
For her first faculty recital since joining the faculty as Associate Professor of Voice at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Martha is thrilled to be joining soprano Katherine Jolly on stage at Warner Concert Hall.
Bard College: Silent Awakening
Martha joins pianist Erika Switzer for Silent Awakening. This program sets a selection of Schubert songs alongside contemporary works including the recently commissioned Love, Loss, and Exile by Juhi Bansal, as well as songs by Shawn Okpebholo, Cecilia Livingston, and Iman Habibi. The overarching theme of the concert features stories of isolation and separation from Homer’s Penelope to Amaker’s poem commemorating the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Mahler’s Second Symphony, Gloria Dei Cantores
Martha joins Richard K. Pugsley, Conductor of Gloria Dei Cantores for a performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony. Tickets can be found HERE.
Mahler’s Second Symphony, Gloria Dei Cantores
Martha joins Richard K. Pugsley, Conductor of Gloria Dei Cantores for a performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony. Tickets can be found HERE.
Co-Director of the songSPARKS Composer Program at the Collaborative Piano Institute
Martha is a returning to the Collaborative Piano Institute to Co-Direct a new program integrated into the CPI family: For nine days in June at the University of Michigan, songSPARKS, led by Sparks & Wiry Cries co-founders and Directors, Erika Switzer & Martha Guth, will gather established and emerging composers alongside song performers to develop and share new works through dialogue, workshop, and world premiere performances showcasing the work of our accepted applicants. Composition faculty include Shawn Okpebholo and Juhi Bansal.
Mahler’s Second Symphony, Charleston Symphony
Martha joins Mikhail Agrest, Conductor and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (Nicholas Quardokus, Director) for a performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony. Tickets can be found HERE
Oxford International Song and Sparks & Wiry Cries Residency at Bard College
Martha will will be joined by Sholto Kynoch, Artistic Director of the renowned Oxford International Song Festival and fellow Co-Director Erika Switzer of Sparks & Wiry Cries for a residency at Ithaca College Center for Music, culminating in a recital featuring students, guests and faculty of the Center for Music.
Oxford International Song and Sparks & Wiry Cries Residency at Bard College
Martha will will be joined by Sholto Kynoch, Artistic Director of the renowned Oxford International Song Festival and fellow Co-Director Erika Switzer of Sparks & Wiry Cries for a residency at Bard College and Conservatory of Music.
sparksLIVE presents Meltdown at National Sawdust
Sparks & Wiry Cries will produce its flagship songSLAM at National Sawdust in Brooklyn, NY. Fashioned after poetry slams and storytelling events, teams of composers and performers compete for $2,000 audience-awarded cash prizes with new art song premieres. Additionally, last year’s commission prize winner, composer Laura Nevitt, will premiere her new cycle. Martha is Co-Director/Founder of Sparks & Wiry Cries along with pianist Erika Switzer.
NYC songSLAM
Sparks & Wiry Cries will produce its flagship songSLAM at National Sawdust in Brooklyn, NY. Fashioned after poetry slams and storytelling events, teams of composers and performers compete for $2,000 audience-awarded cash prizes with new art song premieres. Additionally, last year’s commission prize winner, composer Laura Nevitt, will premiere her new cycle. Martha is Co-Director/Founder of Sparks & Wiry Cries along with pianist Erika Switzer.
Mendelssohn Lobgesang, Promusica Chamber Orchestra
Joined by the Capital University Chapel Choir, Music Director David Danzmayr, tenor Daniel Mcgrew and Soprano Julia VanDoren. Mendelssohn’s powerful symphony-cantata, “Lobgesang” (“Hymn of Praise”) will be performed—the composer’s most ambitious symphony achievement - paired with Giya Kancheli’s hauntingly beautiful Midday Prayers. Tickets HERE
Mendelssohn Lobgesang, Promusica Chamber Orchestra
Joined by the Capital University Chapel Choir, Music Director David Danzmayr, tenor Daniel Mcgrew and Soprano Julia VanDoren. Mendelssohn’s powerful symphony-cantata, “Lobgesang” (“Hymn of Praise”) will be performed—the composer’s most ambitious symphony achievement - paired with Giya Kancheli’s hauntingly beautiful Midday Prayers. Tickets HERE
Messiah Binghamton Downtown Singers
On Saturday, December 14th, Martha will join three other soloists and the Binghamton Downtown Singers for their annual performance of the Messiah.
NYC songSLAM and sparksLIVE recording: Blue Building
Sparks & Wiry Cries will produce its flagship songSLAM at National Sawdust in Brooklyn, NY. Fashioned after poetry slams and storytelling events, teams of composers and performers compete for $2,000 audience-awarded cash prizes with new art song premieres. Additionally, last year’s commission prize winner, composer Laura Nevitt, will premiere her new cycle. Martha is Co-Director/Founder of Sparks & Wiry Cries along with pianist Erika Switzer.
Mozart Exultate Jubilate, Ithaca College Chamber Orchestra
On November 18th, Martha will sing Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate with the Ithaca College Chamber Orchestra. This is a free event!
Recital Tour with Graham Johnson: Pepperdine University
Martha resumes her longtime collaboration with pianist Graham Johnson for the third of three residencies at major music schools in North America, this one culminating in a recital on Nov. 9th in Raitt Hall. Songs of Schubert, Wolf, Mendelssohn, Hensel, and Loewe.
Recital Tour with Graham Johnson: University of Southern California
Martha resumes her longtime collaboration with pianist Graham Johnson for the second of three residencies at major music schools in North America, this one culminating in a recital on Nov. 8th at Noon. Songs of Schubert, Wolf, Mendelssohn, Hensel, and Loewe.
Recital Tour with Graham Johnson: Boston Conservatory
Martha resumes her longtime collaboration with pianist Graham Johnson for the first of three residencies at major music schools in North America, this one culminating in a recital on Nov. 3rd at 3pm in Suelly Hall. Songs of Schubert, Wolf, Mendelssohn, Hensel, and Loewe.