From the classics to jazz to blues and from touring artists to presentations by our own faculty, students, and alumni, the offerings are extensive.
Through both our Ovations! touring professional artists and series such as Sound Choices and Music Theater, we bring you a number of musical performances throughout the year.
View the Events Calendar for Lively Arts
Twitterlieder and Alzheimer's Stories
Sunday, May 5, 3:00 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, IUP Performing Arts Center
Join the IUP Concert Chorale, under the baton of conductor Ryan Beeken, as they present the powerful modern oratorio Alzheimer's Storiesby Robert S. Cohen and Herschel Garfein. The concert also will feature a light-hearted work by Charles Anthony Silvestri and James Eaken called #twitterleider, which chronicles the cycle of a person's life from youth to old age through 15 “tweets” limited to only 140 characters each.
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra with Pinchas Zukerman
Saturday, September 29, 8:00 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, IUP Performing Arts Center
The College of Fine Arts' time-honored tradition continues as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra graces the Fisher stage once again. Conducted by Music Director Manfred Honeck and featuring the masterful musicianship of our 2018-19 Helwig Distinguished Artist, Pinchas Zukerman, on violin.
Myths: Faculty Voice Recital
Friday, October 12, 8:00 p.m., Gorell Recital Hall, Second Floor Sutton Hall
Exploring repertoire from the 17th and 18th centuries inspired by mythological figures, the music of this program travels through a huge range of emotions. The presented composers took full advantage of this volatility in their settings of the text. Featuring Raquel Winnica Young, mezzo-soprano; Joseph Baunoch, bass baritone; Justin Wallace, harpsichord; Patty Halverson, gamba; and Paul Miller, baroque violin.
Artrageous and Art Auction
Sunday, October 21, 3:00 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, IUP Performing Arts Center
Artrageous, where the fine arts meet the performing arts, all on one stage! Experience art come alive with an interactive celebration of music, dance, song, and the creation of a masterpiece. Artrageous is fun for the whole family.
Keystone Chamber Winds
Thursday, October 25, 8:00 p.m., Gorell Recital Hall, Second Floor Sutton Hall
Conducted by Jason Worzbyt
The Keystone Chamber Winds, comprised of Department of Music faculty and selected students, will perform a program featuring the works of Vincent Persichetti, Frigyes Hidas, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Sweeney Todd
Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27, 7:30 p.m., Fisher Auditorium
Directed by Oliver Lo
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
IUP Music Theater proudly presents the musical thriller Sweeney Todd, a story about the obsession of revenge. This semi-staged version will bring tears and laughter in the same evening. Contains violent situation and themes.
IUP Jazz Band and Ensemble Concert
Saturday, November 3, 7:00 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, IUP Performing Arts Center
Get ready to enjoy the annual fall performance of the IUP Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble under the direction of James Flowers and Kevin Eisensmith. The featured guest soloist will be Joshua Hillard, IUP alumnus (BSEd 2000), who teaches in the Altoona Area School District and maintains an active performing career.
Spamalot
Monday, December 3, 8:00 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, IUP Performing Arts Center
Ripped from the film classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail,Spamalot is an outrageous Broadway musical comedy telling the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences worldwide are eating up Spamalot!
Johnstown Symphony Orchestra Presents Handel's Messiah
Sunday, December 9, 3:00 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, IUP Performing Arts Center
Celebrate the spirit of the season with Johnstown Symphony Orchestra's performance of Handel's
Messiah under the direction of Maestro James Blachley. World renowned soloists, IUP choirs,
and the Johnstown Symphony Chorus will join in the celebration.
Mnozil Brass
Monday, February 11, 8:00 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, IUP Performing Arts Center
One of the world's premier brass ensembles is back by popular demand. The Mnozil Brass blends technical virtuosity with comedic brilliance. This Austrian septet performs original compositions with classical favorites, jazz standards, and pop hits. All founding members are graduates of the renowned Vienna College of Music, who met at the Mnozil pub in Vienna, forming their band in 1992. The group has toured internationally and won praise from artists such as Barry Tuckwell, Chuck Findley, Jeff Nelson, and Wycliffe Gordon for their wide repertoire.
The Sweet Remains: Film Screening, The Independents
Thursday, February 28, 6:30 p.m., Beard Auditorium, Stouffer Hall
The Independents is a musical comedy/drama about three solo artists who collide at the same crossroads and discover harmony. Thus is born “RGB” (at least until they come up with a better band name), and what follows is their roller-coaster-ride journey across America for a one last shot at musical glory.
The Sweet Remains
Friday, March 1, 8:00 p.m., Gorell Recital Hall, Second Floor Sutton Hall
Celebrating 10 years and over 30 million Spotify plays! Driven by strong lyrical and melodic writing, the Sweet Remains' songs easily appeal to fans of modern folk-rockers such as John Mayer. However, it is their lush harmonies that distinguish them from the throngs of guitar-toting troubadours and harken back to super-groups of the ‘60s and ‘70s like the Eagles or Simon & Garfunkel.
IUP Faculty Chamber Music Recital
Thursday, March 21, 8:00 p.m., Gorell Recital Hall, Second Floor Sutton Hall
Intimate in nature, chamber music has been described as “the music of friends.” Join us, friends, in the intimate setting of Gorell Hall for this program featuring Brahms' “Clarinet Trio,” Lowell Liebermann's “Trio for Flute, Piano, and Cello,” and songs for voice, piano, and cello by Leonard Bernstein.
Oleta Adams
Friday, March 22, 8:00 p.m., Gorell Recital Hall, Second Floor Sutton Hall
Since the runaway success of her 1990 platinum debut album Circle of One and the impassioned hit single “Get Here,” Oleta Adams has inspired a growing legion of fans in the United States and Europe with songs that draw deeply from her roots in gospel, while crossing effortlessly into the realms of soul, rhythm and blues, and popular music. With over 2.5 million albums sold, this acclaimed artist continues to touch people around the world with her music .
Rock of Ages
Tuesday, April 16, 8:00 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, IUP Performing Arts Center
Broadway's best party is turning up the volume to 10! Nominated for five Tony Awards, Rock of Ages captures the iconic era of 1980s Hollywood. Featuring the music of hit bands such as Styx, Poison, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake, and more, this 10th anniversary production will have you ready to rock!
