SMTD Faculty perform works by Bizet, Bolcom, Donizetti, Karamanov, Strauss, and Verdi. David Blalock, tenor Jeni Houser, soprano Valdis Jansons, baritone Caitlin Lynch, soprano Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola Kirk Severtson, piano

The Golden Age of American Bands captured the imagination of the public in the latter part of the 1800s and through the first decades of the 20th century. Bands became a primary source of entertainment in cities and towns all across the nation and legendary band leaders like Patrick Gilmore and John Philip Sousa were celebrities in their day. Virtuoso soloists like Jules Levy, Arthur Pryor, and Herbert L. Clarke dazzled the thousands who flocked to the concerts by these famous bands. As part of the formal launch of the Center for American Band History Research at the University of Michigan, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance along with the Clements Library are proud to present a concert of traditional music from this era, played with the authentic instrumentation of these early bands. From marches written for newspapers of the day, to novelties, brass solos, songs, and orchestral transcriptions, this concert is a tribute to the birth of the great American band tradition. PROGRAM March, The Billboard - John Klohr Overture, Light Cavalry - von Suppe March, The Detroit Free Press - W.P. Chambers Cornet solo, \"The Debutante\" - Herbert L. Clarke (Robert Sullivan, soloist) March, The Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Bruno Novelty, The Whistler and his Dog - Arthur Pryor March, The St. Louis Post Dispatch - Arthur Pryor Aria, \"Habanera\" from *Carmen* - Georges Bizet (Amoura Bethea, soprano) March, The Washington Post - J.P. Sousa Galop, Blue Streak (The Indianapolis News) - R.B. Eisenberg

A symphonic journey from the Shire to Mordor. Journey to Middle-earth as the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra brings Howard Shore’s unforgettable *Lord of the Rings* soundtrack to life at Hill Auditorium along with mezzo-soprano Kaitlyn Lusk and the U-M Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs. The score for *The Lord of the Rings* film trilogy has been hailed as some of the greatest film music ever written. Sweeping in scope, it is a musical interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth — an operatic tapestry of cultures, histories, languages and people. *Please note this performance does not include film projections.* Kaitlyn Lusk, soprano U-M Men’s Glee Club, chorus U-M Women’s Glee Club, chorus Robert Boardman, guest conductor

Step beyond the footlights into a musical world that traverses from magic to masquerades, comedy to romance, and elegance to spectacle. The University Symphony Orchestra presents an evening of music inspired by the stage, featuring 2026 SMTD Concerto Competition winner Grace Ryan (MM ’26, voice), mezzo-soprano, in two very different portrayals of Cinderella: the tender and lyrical *Cendrillon* by Massenet, and the dazzling and playful *La Cenerentola* by Rossini. Mozart’s sparkling *Magic Flute* Overture sets the stage for the evening, which culminates in Richard Strauss’s exuberant *Le Bourgeois gentilhomme*, featuring virtuosic violin, cello, and piano soloists. Witty, energetic, and full of theatrical flair, Strauss’s music brings this journey to a rollicking conclusion. Kenneth Kiesler, conductor Grace Ryan, mezzo-soprano (Massenet and Rossini) PROGRAM Overture to *The Magic Flute*, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart \"Enfin je suis ici\" from *Cendrillon*, Jules Massenet \"Nacqui all'affanno... Non più mesta\" from *La Cenerentola*, Gioachino Rossini *Le bourgeois gentilhomme, op. 60*, Richard Strauss Concert Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes ––– *Parking / Traffic alert for attendees:*

As we begin the new year, the University of Michigan Symphony Band presents a concert of conflict and resolution, hardship and resilience. Anchored by cornerstones of the wind repertoire including Gustav Mahler's gorgeous song \"Un Mitternacht\" and Karel Husa's monumental tribute to his homeland in *Music for Prague 1968*, this concert places these masterworks side by side with dramatic new works for symphonic band by Jennifer Jolley and U-M graduate student Matthew Osterholzer. New faculty member and world-renowned soprano Christine Goerke is featured in this performance. Jason Fettig, conductor Christine Goerke, soprano John Mange, graduate student conductor PROGRAM *Sokol Fanfare from Sinfonietta*, Leos Janacek *Symphonies of Wind Instruments* (1947 Version), Igor Stravinsky *Monuments- The Pedestal* (U-M commission/ premiere), Matthew Osterholzer *March!*, Jennifer Jolley *Um Mitternacht from Ruckert-lieder*, Gustav Mahler *Music for Prague 1968*, Karel Husa