The Eastman School of Music is pleased to highlight some of our December concerts and events to conclude the fall semester. Presenting a wide range of events, from Elf in Concert to our first Jazz Voice performance, these 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, and ticketed events 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.
Chamber Music Extravaganza
December 2-9 | Various dates, times, and locations
Nearly one dozen different performances will take place in the intimate settings of Hatch Recital Hall and the Louis P. Ciminelli Formal Lounge, showcasing the exceptional chamber music students of Eastman.
Eastman Saxophone Project
Monday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. | Kilbourn Hall
Students from the Eastman Saxophone Studio come together to perform transcriptions of works by Shostakovich, Ravel, Piazzola, and more.
Clark Residency: American Brass Quintet
Tuesday, December 3 at 12:30 p.m. | Kilbourn Hall
The American Brass Quintet concludes its two-day James E. Clark Chamber Music Residency with a noontime recital that is open to the public.
Collegium Musicum
Tuesday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. | Kilbourn Hall
Eastman students are joined by directors Paul O’Dette and Christel Theilmann in performing the unique repertoire of the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries.
Eastman Jazz Ensemble
Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. | Kilbourn Hall
Talented students from the Jazz and Contemporary Media Department come together to perform under the direction of Christine Jensen.
Eastman Wind Orchestra and Eastman Wind Ensemble
Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. | Kodak Hall
Both of Eastman’s wind ensembles join forces for a very exciting and diverse program culminating in David Maslanka’s monumental Symphony No. 7.
Eastman New Jazz Ensemble
Friday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. | Kilbourn Hall
The Eastman New Jazz Ensemble, led by Dave Rivello, concludes the semester’s big band performances at Eastman.
Eastman Philharmonia & Eastman-Rochester Chorus
Friday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. | Kodak Hall
The Eastman-Rochester Chorus appears in Kodak Hall for its first performance of the academic year alongside our Philharmonia. Graduate conducting student Jonathan Mott leads the musicians in Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 2 “Lobgesang,” and Professor William Weinert conducts Elgar’s “The Music Makers.”
Kilbourn Concert Series: Barbara Hannigan & Bertrand Chamayou (ticketed)
Sunday, December 8 at 3:00 p.m. | Kilbourn Hall
Embodying music with an unparalleled dramatic sensibility, soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan is joined by acclaimed pianist Bertrand Chamayou in a Kilbourn Hall debut, performing works by Scriabin, Messiaen and John Zorn.
Winter World Music Concert 2024
Sunday, December 8 at 3:30 p.m. | ESM 120 (Ray Wright Room)
Eastman and Eastman Community Music School ensembles come together to perform music from across the globe in the Gamelan Sanjiwani, Introductory Mbira Ensemble, Brazilian Percussion Ensemble and Zimbabwean Marimba Ensemble.
Repertory Singers & Treble Chorus
Sunday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. | Kilbourn Hall
Treble Chorus and Repertory Singers finish the classical choral performance season for the semester by ringing in the holidays with Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols.”
Eastman School Symphony Orchestra
Monday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. | Kodak Hall
Guest conductor Mei-Ann Chen and graduate conducting student Rebecca Bryant Novak lead first- and second-year students in works by two Mendelssohns—younger brother Felix and older sister Fanny.
Jazz Voice Ensemble
Monday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. | Kilbourn Hall
In this inaugural performance given by Eastman’s Jazz Voice program, students of Sara Gazarek present the culmination of their first semester of work.
CANCELLED | Brunch with Santa!
Saturday, December 14 at 11:00 a.m. | Max of Eastman Place
Eastman is thrilled to welcome Santa Claus to Gibbs Street! Join us at Max of Eastman Place (25 Gibbs Street) to enjoy a gourmet buffet with your family, featuring live music in a festive setting. Adults: $48 | Children: $28. Visit maxrochesterny.com or call (585) 697-0491 for more information and to reserve your table.
Kodak Hall Series Presents: “Elf” in Concert (ticketed)
Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. | Kodak Hall
Experience your favorite Christmas film transformed with the music of a live symphony orchestra in Elf™ in Concert! For the first time ever, audiences can rediscover the magic of this holiday classic while a live symphony orchestra performs John Debney’s wonderful score and Santa Claus soars across the big screen in high-definition. This performance will feature Eastman’s Empire Film and Media Ensemble (EFAME) under the baton of six-time Emmy Award-winning composer and conductor Mark Watters.
Eastman Harmonie
Tuesday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m. | Kilbourn Hall
Students from the Eastman Wind Ensemble come together to perform repertoire for wind octet.
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.