The Eastman School of Music, of the University of Rochester, is pleased to highlight some of the concerts and events taking place on Gibbs Street this October. Presenting a wide range of events featuring internationally accomplished faculty and guest artists in addition to world-class student ensembles, these concerts will be held in Eastman’s stunning performance spaces: Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Kilbourn Hall and Hatch Recital Hall.
Most of the concerts listed are free and open to the public. Events that are ticketed may be booked through EastmanTheatre.org or by calling 585-274-3000. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets as soon as possible to secure the best seats and savings.
Faculty Artist Series
Various dates, times and locations
The Eastman Faculty Artist Series includes five performances in October, including David Bowlin’s first concert as a member of Eastman’s Strings, Harp & Guitar faculty on October 4. Tickets are $10 for the public and free to URID holders.
Gateways Music Festival Performances
Various dates, times, and locations
Multiple musicians from the Gateways Music Festival will perform throughout the week of October 14, culminating with the Gateways Brass Collective as part of the Kilbourn Concert Series on Friday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. Most events are free and open to the public; the Brass Collective performance is ticketed at $25.
Barbara B. Smith World Music Series: A Moving Sound (Ticketed)
Tuesday, October 1 at 7:30 PM | Kilbourn Hall
Fusing traditional influences with a global sensibility, the award-winning Taiwanese ensemble, A Moving Sound (Sheng Don聲動), has built a worldwide following via their joyous mix of original music and dance, devising a style that veers between the meditative and the exuberant with irrepressible spirit.
Ossia New Music
Wednesday, October 2 at 7:30 PM | Kilbourn Hall
OSSIA New Music is a student-run organization at the Eastman School of Music committed to performing the works of diverse and vibrant contemporary composers. OSSIA is supported by the Howard Hanson Fund and grants from Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership.
George Walker Center Recital Series: Hispanic Heritage Recital
Friday, October 4 at 7:30 PM | Kilbourn Hall
This celebration of Hispanic heritage will feature students from the newly formed Eastman Latino and Hispanic Students’ Association. Curated by Crystal Sellers Battle, Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion and Director of the George Walker Center, it will highlight the rich cultural contributions of Hispanic artists to the classical music landscape.
Eastman Jazz Ensemble
Monday, October 7 at 7:30 PM | Kilbourn Hall
Recognized as one of the world’s premier collegiate jazz performing organizations, the Eastman Jazz Ensemble launches a new season of jazz concerts at Eastman under the direction of award-winning saxophonist and arranger Christine Jensen.
Barbara B. Smith World Music Series: Salar Nader & Homayoun Sakhi (Ticketed)
Wednesday October 9 at 7:30 PM | Kilbourn Hall
Virtuosic and internationally renowned tabla player and composer Salar Nader joins forces with Homayoun Sakhi, the Afghan rubab maestro, for what will be an evening of intoxicating rhythms and astonishing music making.
Eastman Wind Orchestra
Wednesday, October 8 at 7:30 PM | Kodak Hall
The Eastman Wind Orchestra, including first and second-year winds, brass, and percussion students, performs a diverse program ranging from Sergei Prokofiev to Viet Cuong. Also included are the works of Ron Nelson, Mary Ellen Childs, and Josef Rheinberger.
Eastman Wind Ensemble featuring Daniel Pesca, piano
Friday, October 11 at 7:30 PM | Kodak Hall
The Eastman Wind Ensemble and conductor Mark Davis Scatterday present music from French composers Milhaud and Debussy, as well as Stravinsky’s Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments. Assistant Professor of Composition Daniel Pesca appears as piano soloist for the Stravinsky.
Repertory Singers & Treble Chorus
Saturday, October 19 at 3:30 PM | Kilbourn Hall
Under the direction of Philip Silvey, as well as graduate conductors Xingtong Li and Andrew Perricone, the Repertory Singers and Treble Chorus present their first joint performance of the academic year.
Eastman School Symphony Orchestra
Monday, October 21 at 7:30 PM | Kodak Hall
Music Director of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra and conductor of the Gateways Music Festival, Anthony Parnther leads first and second-year orchestra students in a program of Dvořák, Grant Still and Haydn.
Eastman Philharmonia
Wednesday, October 23 at 7:30 PM | Kodak Hall
Four Eastman voice students join Philharmonia and guest conductor Anthony Parnther to sing selections by Mahler. Also on the program is Coleman’s “Umoja” and Beethoven’s third symphony, “Eroica.”
Chamber Jazz Ensemble
Monday, October 28 at 7:30 | Kilbourn Hall
This ad hoc ensemble presents a variety of repertoire once per semester by composers and band leaders such as the Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band, Miles Davis Birth of the Cool, Marty Paich/Art Pepper + Eleven, Boyd Reaburn/George Handy, Gil Evans, and more. The Chamber Jazz Ensemble is led by various faculty members.
Musica Nova featuring Ensemble Signal
Monday, October 28 at 7:30 | Kodak Hall
Brad Lubman conducts the combined musicians of Musica Nova and the New York-based Ensemble Signal, an acclaimed professional ensemble founded by Eastman alumna and cellist Lauren Radnofsky ’03E, ’07E (MM). They will perform a special program of works by Steve Reich, including his Music for 18 Musicians, considered one of the foundational works of musical minimalism.
Eastman Percussion Ensemble
Tuesday, October 29 at 7:30 | Kodak Hall
Upperclassmen and graduate students in the percussion studio, directed by Michael Burritt, take center stage in Kodak Hall to perform as the acclaimed Eastman Percussion Ensemble.
Eastman Opera Theatre: “Silent Light” (Ticketed)
Thursday, October 31 – Sunday, November 3 | Kilbourn Hall
Paola Prestini and Royce Vavrek’s contemporary foley opera is, as they say, “a story of people trying to do their best,” telling the story of John, a father and husband who develops feelings for another woman in his Mennonite community in northern Mexico. Pat Diamond directs as Timothy Long conducts. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Tickets to all EOT performances will be sold through Eastman’s Box Office website, though they are not yet available for purchase.
Click here to view the full 2024-25 Eastman Presents season and to purchase tickets. For all other happenings at Eastman, visit our Events Calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Media only: Lauren Sageer, Assistant Director of Public Relations and Digital Content,
(585) 451-8492, lsageer@esm.rochester.edu
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About Eastman School of Music:
The Eastman School of Music was founded in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman (1854-1932), founder of Eastman Kodak Company. It was the first professional school of the University of Rochester. Mr. Eastman’s dream was that his school would provide a broad education in the liberal arts as well as superb musical training.
More than 900 students are enrolled in the Collegiate Division of the Eastman School of Music — about 500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. They come from almost every state, and approximately 23 percent are from other countries. They are taught by a faculty comprised of more than 130 highly regarded performers, composers, conductors, scholars, and educators. They are Pulitzer Prize winners, Grammy winners, Emmy winners, Guggenheim fellows, ASCAP Award recipients, published authors, recording artists, and acclaimed musicians who have performed in the world’s greatest concert halls. Each year, Eastman’s students, faculty members, and guest artists present more than 900 concerts to the Rochester community. Additionally, more than 1,700 members of the Rochester community, from young children through senior citizens, are enrolled in the Eastman Community Music School.
About the University of Rochester:
The University of Rochester is one of the nation’s leading private research universities, one of only 62-member institutions in the Association of American Universities. Located in Rochester, NY, the University gives undergraduates exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and the Memorial Art Gallery.