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The IUP Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance is honored to host the Dr. Edward R. Sims ’53 Distinguished Visiting Artist/Scholar for Music on an annual basis.

Thanks to a generous gift by alumnus Edward Sims, the department hosts an internationally renowned artist for a residency each academic year. Sims Distinguished Artists regularly perform concerts, conduct IUP ensembles, give lectures, and teach master classes to IUP students.

In addition to naming a Distinguished Artist, the department is also able to host several Sims Fellows for smaller events throughout the year. Sims Fellows are regionally or nationally recognized musicians and scholars who perform and teach during short residencies on the IUP campus.

2024–25 Dr. Edward R. Sims ’53 Distinguished Visiting Artist/Scholar for Music

Alexander Frey

Monday, March 17, 2025, 7:30 p.m., Cogswell 121

Solo organ recital featuring the world premiere of Christopher Enloe's P-Y winning composition, IMAGO.

Thursday, March 27, 2025, 7:30 p.m., Fisher Auditorium

Solo piano recital assisted by the IUP Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Professor Rebekah O'Brien.

Alexander Frey is an American symphony orchestra conductor, virtuoso organist, pianist, and harpsichordist. Frey is in great demand as one of the world’s most versatile conductors and enjoys great success in the concert hall and opera house and in the music of Broadway and Hollywood.

Frey’s annual schedule includes worldwide recital tours. He was the first organist ever to perform an entire symphony of Gustav Mahler as a solo work for organ. This historic achievement resulted in Frey’s live performance of the organ transcription Mahler’s “Symphony #5” being regarded as one of seven performances listed as “the most important organ-related events of the 20th century” by The American Organist magazine.

For a listing of event times and locations, visit the Events Calendar.