The Alfred University Performing Arts Division invites the campus and surrounding communities to enjoy an exciting series of concerts, dance showings, and theatre performances throughout November and early December. Featuring the talents of Alfred University students and faculty, these events will showcase a wide range of musical styles, artistic expression, and interdisciplinary collaboration. All performances are free and open to the public.
The series begins Friday, Nov. 13, at 5:30 p.m. in Miller Theater, when the Alfred University Orchestra, under the direction of Lisa Lantz, professor of music, presents a concert featuring the music of Antonio Vivaldi, with soloists Caleb Zelch, Lila Condie, and Jeanne Sperber.
Bassoonist Caleb Zelch, from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is a first-year student majoring in glass engineering. Flutist Lila Condie, a senior art and design major with a minor in visual arts education, is originally from Vestal, NY. Condie will be joined by her instructor, Jeanne Sperber, a highly regarded orchestral performer and soloist in Western New York who serves as principal flutist with the MostArts Festival Orchestra.
On Saturday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m. in Miller Theater, the Alfred University Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Mason St. Pierre, assistant professor of music, will present a dynamic performance featuring music spanning centuries and styles, from the Renaissance to the iconic works of John Williams.
The musical celebration continues Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. in Miller Theater, with the Music Department's Student Recital. The recital will showcase the talents and accomplishments of students enrolled in private music lessons and chamber music seminars, highlighting their musical growth and artistic achievements throughout the semester.
The following week, the Dance Department presents its annual Informal Dance Showing on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 19 and 20, at 6 p.m. in the CD Smith Theatre. Featuring work developed in classes taught by dance faculty D. Chase Angier, Colleen Wahl, Air Law, and Sukanya Burman, the showings will highlight ensemble and solo performances in a variety of dance forms, including African Dance, Dance Fundamentals, Improvisation, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and modern and contemporary dance. The performances will also showcase interdisciplinary collaboration within the Performing Arts Division, featuring original music composed by Sound Studies Professor Dr. Matías Homar and live drumming by African Dance instructors Emmanuel Akinyeju and Christian Quayson.
On Friday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in Miller Theater, the Popular Music Ensemble, under the musical direction of St. Pierre, will take the stage for an energetic evening of popular music favorites. Bringing the excitement and atmosphere of a live popular music concert, the ensemble promises an engaging performance featuring familiar songs and the collaborative energy of student musicians. Sound Studies students and faculty will also provide live sound support for the concert, highlighting the interdisciplinary collaboration between music performance and audio production while offering students hands-on experience in the technical aspects of live performance.
The Alfred University Choir, under the direction of Rebecca Weaver Hamm, will perform Saturday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Miller Theater. The concert will feature popular music from the 1960s through today, offering audiences an opportunity to enjoy familiar favorites through the artistry of student and community vocalists.
The Performing Arts Division's fall performances conclude with an original theatre production presented December 3–5 at 7:30 p.m. in Miller Theatre. Created through the Collaborative Performance Lab, taught by Jonathan Ziese, assistant professor of theatre, and Markéta Fantová, associate professor of performance design and technology, this production brings together students in Theatre and Performance Design and Technology to develop an entirely original work from the ground up. Students collaborate on every aspect of the creative process, from developing the story, script, and overall concept to designing and creating the sets, lighting, costumes, and sound. The course emphasizes the collaborative nature of theatre-making, providing students with hands-on experience in bringing an original production from initial idea to public performance. Audiences will have the opportunity to experience the results of this creative process as students share a work developed entirely through their collective imagination, skills, and artistry.
"These performances reflect the breadth of artistic opportunities available through Alfred University's Performing Arts Division, where students from across the University engage in music, dance, theatre, sound studies, and performance design," said Jessie Thoman, associate dean of the Performing Arts Division and professor of music at Alfred University. "Through ensemble participation, individual study, and collaborative creative work, students develop their artistic abilities while contributing to the cultural life of the campus and surrounding communities."
Thoman added, “The Performing Arts Division extends its sincere appreciation to Production Manager Randy Wachtel, Technical Director Zachary Hamm, and Performing Arts Secretary Monica Reginio for their dedication, expertise, and behind-the-scenes support in bringing these events to life. Their work plays an essential role in making these performances possible and supporting the creative experiences of Alfred University's students and faculty.”
All performances are free and open to the public. Community members, students, faculty, staff, and families are encouraged to attend and support the creative work of Alfred University's student and faculty artists.
