Mid-Michigan is in for a treat this fall as the Michigan State University College of Music presents an extraordinary season with the added bonus of hosting events in Cook Recital Hall and Fairchild Theatre — both recently reinvented to augment sound quality, comfort and views.
From chamber and classical to Latin and swinging jazz, listeners of all musical persuasions will find something to like in the 2014-15 season that runs September through May.
To mark the first full concert year of the renovated Fairchild Theatre on Auditorium Road, the college will kick off the musical season with Fairchild Fanfare. Part of the MSU Federal Credit Union Showcase Series, this fast-paced montage features ensembles and soloists who call Fairchild their musical home — including choirs, jazz groups, faculty artists, chamber music groups, new music ensembles and opera.
“This concert showcases the extraordinary talents of our students and faculty artists, whom we are privileged to host at Fairchild Theatre,” said James Forger, dean of the College of Music. “We’re proud to offer such exciting and diverse programming, and we are grateful for the generosity and support of our donors, our university and the community.”
Familiar and joyful favorites fill the season, including holiday events like A Jazzy Little Christmas and MSU’s Home for the Holidays. Other popular concerts include Piano Monster — an exhilarating event that features MSU piano faculty performing arrangements for eight hands on four grand pianos.
The MSU Opera Theatre will awe audiences with two fully staged and costumed operas at Fairchild, including Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” in November and Handel’s “Xerxes” in March.
The Joanne and Bill Church West Circle Series also returns for its fifth year to celebrate the great works of master composers like Vivaldi, Schubert, Mozart and Ravel in October, November, January and March. And for one week in April, acclaimed faculty and internationally renowned guest artists will headline the 15th annual Cello Plus Chamber Music Festival.
Throughout the season, Best of the Best recitals by 26 faculty and 23 guest artists will feature works that have inspired audiences throughout the world. And there will be numerous performances by graduate and undergraduate students comprising the symphony orchestra, jazz ensembles, Wind Symphony and choral ensembles, led by acclaimed MSU conductors.
MSU Federal Credit Union Showcase Series
• A Fairchild Fanfare, 8 p.m. Sept. 13
• MSU’s Home for the Holidays, 4 p.m. Dec. 6
• A Jazzy Little Christmas, 8 p.m. Dec. 13
• Piano Monster, 3 and 7 p.m. May 3
Joanne and Bill Church West Circle Series
• Viva Vivaldi, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13
• Schubertiade, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10
• Happy Birthday Mozart, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26
• Maurice Ravel, Man of Mystery, 7:30 p.m. March 16
MSU Opera Theatre
• “Cosi fan tutte” by Mozart, Nov. 19, 21-23 (multiple times)
• “Xerxes” by Handel, March 25, 27-29 (multiple times)
Cello Plus Chamber Music Festival
• Schubert and Dvorák, 7:30 p.m. April 6
• The French Connection, Music by Gabriel Fauré, 7:30 p.m., April 8 p.m.
• Bach Plus, 8 p.m. April 10
• The Silent Movie, 2015, 3 p.m. April 12