Live and in-person is no longer a dream for patrons and performers alike as the MSU College of Music re-opens venues for the upcoming season,“LIVE AGAIN.”
Community members are invited to celebrate a return to the stage of chamber music, orchestra, band, jazz and choral groups, opera and more. Aligned with public health guidance for COVID-19, the dizzying array of upcoming performances showcases the depth of music programs at MSU and talent across genres and instrumentation, as well as newly renovated, state-of-the art facilities and inviting campus venues that range from intimate to expansive.
The 2021-22 “LIVE AGAIN” season runs September through early May and will feature a rich variety of superb classical and jazz performances by exceptional artists including faculty, students, acclaimed visiting musicians and cutting-edge new music groups.
Recognizable series and fan-favorite events make their return to the stage this season, including the Joanne and Bill Church West Circle Series, the Ken and Sandy Beall Cello Plus Chamber Music Festival, the Taylor Johnston Early Music Series, the Worthington Family Foundation Opera Theatre Season, the Artist-faculty and Guest Recital Series sponsored by WKAR, and the MSU Federal Credit Union-sponsored Showcase Series and Jazz Artist in Residence program.
Further energizing the season is the highly anticipated public opening of the Billman Music Pavilion, showcasing new performance venues and grand rehearsal halls. Postponed due to the pandemic, the public opening of the 35,000-square foot expansion this fall symbolizes new directions and opportunity for the college and community, as well as the re-emergence of in-person performance. In addition, a beautiful new state-of-the-art pipe organ adorns the recently renovated MSU Alumni Memorial Chapel. The “Red Cedar Organ,” thanks to the generous support of Ed and Wanda Eichler, will be unveiled to the public during a special dedicatory concert in the spring.
“We are delighted to plan our upcoming concert season as a celebration of the human spirit: Together, LIVE AGAIN. The opportunity to share the power of music of all stripes and kinds with live audiences will be more magical than ever,” said James Forger, dean of the College of Music.
“We’ve all learned so much about each other throughout the pandemic, and we’ve grown in our appreciation for what makes us human, including our ability to communicate through the universal language of music. We can’t thank our patrons, sponsors and our community enough for their support through this historic and trying time. Thank you, again and again and again,” Forger continued. “Rolling out a full slate of performances in beautiful places like Fairchild Theatre, Wharton Center’s Great Hall, Cook Recital Hall and now the Billman Music Pavilion, is exciting, and we look forward to celebrating this music revival on-stage, with audience-inspired performances.”
Tickets to the full season of events are available to the public and go on sale starting Aug. 24, 2021.
For more information and the full list of events, visit music.msu.edu/LIVEAGAIN.