For decades, the College of Music at Michigan State University has offered high quality, diverse, and accessible music performances, activities, and lectures to the entire community, and the 2023-24 season continues that trend with variety, exceptional talent and expertise, and performances in acoustically beautiful and intimate venues on campus.

The College’s most beloved series returns:

• The MSU Federal Credit Union Showcase Series with its ever-popular holiday concerts and other special events;
• The Joanne and Bill Church West Circle Series with a special salute to the 75th anniversary of Israel and its excellent chamber performances highlighting some of the most notable composers of all time;
• Suren Bagratuni bringing the Ken and Sandy Beall Cello Plus Chamber Music Festival to life again—this time during fall semester—with its lineup of special guests;
• The Taylor Johnston Early Music Series, welcomes fascinating guest artists with repertoire and instrumentation that is both captivating and educational;

In addition, the Worthington Family Foundation Opera Theatre Season features two fully staged and costumed operas, Sondheim’s A Little Night Music and Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Of course, no MSU Music season would be complete without our spectacular jazz lineup of MSU Federal Credit Union Jazz Artist in Residence guests and several other special jazz events. The College also features fan-favorite seasonal events, a variety of orchestral, band, and choir performances led by expert conductors with talented student artists in large and small ensembles, and several free lectures and master classes.

On top of that, nearly 50 additional concerts highlight a variety of performances by MSU band, choir, jazz, orchestra, and new music ensembles, and more than 40 faculty and guest recitals bolster this very robust season through the Artist-Faculty and Guest Recital Series sponsored by WKAR. The artists teaching at MSU are world-class performers, often invited to share their talents across the globe.

“Our faculty artists, ensembles, students, and special guest artist performers have offered a season with great variety, and the result is a full and diverse list of performances for those in our community to experience excellent artistry in intimate venues and at affordable prices,” said College of Music Dean James Forger. “Whether you are seeking the thrill of something new or a relaxing evening on the town, this season will provide you with many opportunities.”

The 2023-2024 season runs September through May with more than 120 events that take place at College of Music venues, including the MSU Auditorium’s Fairchild Theatre, the Cobb Great Hall in Wharton Center, and Cook Recital Hall, Murray Hall, and Hollander Hall in the Music Building. Events are also held at the MSU Alumni Memorial Chapel featuring the Red Cedar Organ (Opus 134), a custom-made pipe organ. A majority of the events are general admission (free for students), emphasizing the budget-friendly, accessible nature of MSU College of Music seasons.

Tickets go on sale on August 16

Specific dates for featured event series and more are listed below. See the full listing of concerts online, or browse events in the season brochure.

MSU Music 2023–2024 Season Highlights

Performances listed below are at the MSU Auditorium’s Fairchild Theatre unless otherwise noted.

---

MSU Federal Credit Union Showcase Series

• Holiday Cheer with MSU Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, Saturday, December 9, 8 p.m., Wharton Center
• A Jazzy Little Christmas, Saturday, December 16, 8 p.m.
• NOW Ensemble, Thursday, March 7, 7:30 p.m.
• Barbara Wagner Chamber Music Competition Showcase, Saturday, April 6, 6 p.m., Cook Recital Hall
• Piano Monster, Sunday, May 5, 3 p.m.

---

Joanne and Bill Church West Circle Series

• Celebrating Jewish Identity in Music, Monday, October 16, 7:30 p.m.
• Rachmaninoff at 150, Monday, December 4, 7:30 p.m.
• Happy Birthday, Mozart! Monday, January 22, 7:30 p.m.
• Puccini: Con Amore, Monday, April 8, 7:30 p.m. 

---

Taylor Johnston Early Music Series

• “The Feast of the Swan,” Cappella Pratensis and the Sollazzo Ensemble, Tuesday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
• “Bach and Before,” Ars Musica Chicago, Friday, November 3, 8 p.m.
• “Virtuosa,” Infusion Baroque, Tuesday, February 20, 7:30 p.m.

---

Ken and Sandy Beall Cello Plus Chamber Music Festival

• Stars from South Korea, Sunday, October 8, 7 p.m., Cook Recital Hall
• Detroit Symphony Orchestra String Quartet, Tuesday, October 10, 7:30 p.m., Alumni Memorial Chapel
• MSU Chamber Trio, Thursday, October 12, 7:30 p.m., Cook Recital Hall

---

Worthington Family Foundation Opera Theatre Season

• Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, Wednesday, November 15, 7 p.m.; Friday, November 17, 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 18, 7 p.m.; Sunday, November 19, 3 p.m.
• A Celebration of the Beautiful Voice, Saturday, January 20, 3 p.m.
• Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m.; Friday, March 22, 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 23, 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 24, 3 p.m.

---

Featured Jazz Events

• MSU Federal Credit Union Jazz Artists in Residence:
  • Geoffrey Keezer, piano, Friday, October 20, 8 p.m.
  • Sylvia Cuenca, drums, Friday, December 8, 8 p.m.  
  • Jazzmeia Horn, jazz vocalist, Friday, February 9, 8 p.m., Murray Hall
  • John Clayton, bass, Friday, March 22, 8 p.m., Murray Hall 
• Jazz Spectacular Finale Concert, Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m.

---

Annual Spartan Spectacular 

• Spartan Marching Band surround-sound performance highlighting twirlers, color guard, drumline, and other top ensembles from the MSU College of Music, sponsored by the MSU Federal Credit Union, Sunday, November 5, 3 p.m. Wharton Center.