Wayne State University's Department of Music has meticulously curated a series of concerts and recitals that promise to be a feast for the ears and a balm for the soul. Spanning genres and styles, these events showcase the depth of talent within the university's music department, featuring both established artists and promising students. From the intricate harmonies of chamber music to the vibrant rhythms of jazz, each event offers something unique. This journey through sound will take place at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, inviting all music enthusiasts to indulge in the rich tapestry of auditory experiences.

A Symphony of Sounds: Wayne State University’s Musical Journey

Join us on an auditory adventure through Wayne State University’s eclectic concert series spanning 2024 to 2025. From jazz ensembles to classical recitals, the Department of Music brings together a diverse lineup of events that showcase the talents of their students and feature collaborations with the Detroit jazz community. Discover performances that range from the refined elegance of chamber music to the energetic beats of jazz combos, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Detroit, Michigan.

A Musical Tapestry: Exploring Wayne State University's 2024-2025 Concert Series

Enjoy one of the most beloved holiday films of all time accompanied by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performing John Williams's captivating score! Relive John Hughes's charming and hilarious story about family with the young Macaulay Culkin who captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.

EPSG:4326

Wayne State Choirs at the DSO Performing Home Alone

Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center

A performance of Scenes and Arias highlighting the development of Wayne State young singing artists.

Opera Workshop

Wayne State University

The University Orchestra performs Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Schubert's Symphony No. 8, the "Unfinished".

Jazz Big Band and Orchestra

Rackham Choir and the Wayne State University Choirs present Mendelssohn's timeless oratorio, featuring Jonathan Lasch (baritone) as the titular Biblical prophet. Supported by a full orchestra and organ, and set in downtown Detroit's historic Central United Methodist Church, this will be a musical experience not to miss!

Wayne State Choirs: Elijah

Central United Methodist Church

The Detroit Jazz Preservation Concert Series highlights the original compositions of groundbreaking jazz musicians from Detroit, featuring an array of Detroit’s leading jazz musicians. For this performance we will cover the music of Curtis Fuller!

The Detroit Jazz Preservation Concert Series

Join us for our collage concert featuring students and faculty!

General Lectures: In Performance II: Collage Concert

Alumni Holiday Social at the December Dance Concert

Join us for the Wind Symphony Graduate Conducting Recital!

Wind Symphony Graduate Conducting Recital

Cello Studio Recital 2024

Join us for some swinging jazz with our jazz combos!

Jazz Combos 2

Features both the WSU Concert Band and the WSU Wind Symphony playing Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition!

Concert Band and Wind Symphony

Join us for another General Lectures with a talk with Adam Dib and John Rake!

General Lectures: Alumni Visions: Navigating a Path in Composition

Jazz Combos Concert 1

Classical and Romantic repertoire performed by the students of the Wayne State Department of Music!

Piano Studio Recital

A recital of selections performed by flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and bassoon students at Wayne State.

Woodwind Area Recital

Join us for a performance of great jazz featuring, Chris Collins, Joshua Gaudin (GC Valade Graduate Assistant), and WSU Jazz Faculty!

General Lectures: Gretchen C Valade Signature Performance Series

A dynamic presentation featuring an entire section of guitars accompanied by keyboards, bass, and drums. This ensemble performs all styles of jazz from the 1920's to the 2020's and everything in between!

Jazz Guitar Ensembles

Open Mic and Jam Session for WSU Music Students to share new songs, test out ideas, and play together.

Open Mic/Jam Session

A recital highlighting students from the various vocal studios, performing diverse repertoire.

Voice Area Recital

Join us for another General Lectures with Dr. Shannan Hibbard and Dr. Jonathan Lasch!

General Lectures: Celebrating the Human Voice

2024 CFPCA Alumni Council Fundraiser

The Wayne State University Treble Choir joins the DSO for a performance one of the most exciting and recognisable works of all time. An additional movement, "Pluto," will also be featured as from the pen of composer Colin Matthews.

Wayne State Choirs at the DSO Performing The Planets

Join us as for conversations and open dialogue among the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts alumni. Learn how they took their Creative Warrior degrees and applied them in non-traditional careers. It is an excellent opportunity to see just how far your degree can take you!

CFPCA Career Chats for Creatives: Theatre and Dance/Music

Join us for our annual concert featuring original music by our student composers. Each participating composer took on the challenge to create an original work based on one musical theme provided to them at the beginning of the semester. This annual concert shares and celebrates these unique musical variations.

Theme & Variations: A Student Composers Concert

Guitar Day

Electronic Music Ensemble of Wayne State (EMEWS) presents original works by students, faculty, and guest artist Piyawat Louilarpprasert. Join us for an evening of uniquely electronic sound!

Electronic Music Ensemble

WSU Alumni Music Day

Tom Adams Field

General Lectures: In Performance I: Collage Concert

The Wayne State University Jazz Big Band features the finest Jazz Studies Majors of our music department performing music of modern big bands. This performance will feature guest soloist from the Detroit jazz community.

Jazz Big Band

Join us for a concert featuring the Orchestra and Wind Symphony performing Antonin Dvorak's "New World" Symphony conducted by Kypros Markou.

Orchestra and Wind Symphony

45th Annual Arts Achievement Awards Ceremony and Afterglow

WSU Alumnii are invited to a special afterglow event following the performances. Join us for an evening of celebration and connection as we enjoy delicious desserts and coffee together. This will be a unique opportunity to engage in a lively Q&A session with the playwrights, George Kappaz and Richard Gustin, as they share insights into their creative process and the journey of bringing these world premieres to life. We look forward to reconnecting with fellow alumni and celebrating the enduring spirit of Wayne State’s artistic community.

Wayne State Alumni Theatre Night in Hollywood

Join us for a General Lecture featuring Professor Kypros Markou and a program featuring music by Greek composers!

General Lectures: Faculty Voices: Chamber Music by Greek Composers

This General Lectures will present The STILE Initiative!

General Lectures: The STILE Initiative: Key to Success

Join us for a General Lecture hosted by Professor Michael Shellabarger. Special Guest Fadi Hayek (Vice President of Music Products, Solid State Logic) returns to discuss career guidance and employment opportunities for audio engineers and Hybrid Digital/Analogue production techniques with students.

General Lectures: Careers in Audio with Shellabarger

Want to show off your knowledge of music? Play music trivia with us at General Lectures!

General Lectures: Music Trivia

Wayne State University’s College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts is pleased to present a closing reception for the I Got Beats in These Fingertips exhibition at the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery on Friday, September 20 from 5-8PM. The exhibition curators Zack Ostrowski and Tom Pyrzewski will be on-hand to host gallery walk-throughs during the reception.

Beats celebrates two uncompromising innovators of contemporary hip-hop music — James Yancey (J Dilla) of Detroit and Robert Earl Davis, Jr. (DJ Screw) of Houston. Despite their profound influence on popular culture, these regional hip-hop scenes are frequently marginalized in both mainstream and academic narratives of hip-hop history. Through music, artwork, equipment and ephemera, we uncover the distinctive traits and often overlooked connections between Detroit and Houston hip-hop.

CLOSING RECEPTION: I Got Beats In These Fingertips

Martin Kierszenbaum, the Grammy Award nominated founder of the Cherrytree Music Company and longtime manager for Sting, will be the featured speaker for the Detroit Music Awards Foundation's first Master Class, taking place at 7 p.m. Monday, September 16 at the Schaver Music Recital Hall in Detroit. The session is a joint presentation by the DMAF in partnership with the Wayne State University Department of Music.

Master Class with Martin Kierszenbaum

Join us for another General Lectures with Dr. Duchan and Dr. Custer!

General Lectures: The WSU Music Learning Community

Get to meet the music department faculty and staff!

Music Department Fall Convocation

Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center Grand Opening Watch Party

The WSU Concert Band, our largest university band, is open to all students, including non music majors. The band performs approximately three concerts a semester downtown in the Music Box at the beautiful Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center. If you were a member of your high school band and would like to continue performing live music for friends and family, then we invite you to join us regardless of your skill level.

Band Auditions

The University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Kypros Markou, is a large ensemble consisting of strings, winds, brass, and percussion. The ensemble performs major repertoire for symphony orchestra and performs at the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center.

Orchestra Auditions

Coming to Wayne State University this fall? Were you in marching band in high school? If so, join the WSU Warrior Marching Band! Earn a modest activity award scholarship while participating in an activity you love and bolstering the campus spirit!

Band Camp

The Wayne State University Concert Chorale is a top-tier ensemble of 24 voices, performing diverse choral works from the 15th to the 21st centuries, often premiering new compositions and collaborating with renowned groups like the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Auditions are required for students in their second year of college or above. The larger Choral Union, with over 50 voices, specializes in repertoire from the Baroque era to contemporary pieces, including their annual Salute to Detroit concert. Both ensembles emphasize musical excellence and welcome participation from students, faculty, and staff.

Choir Auditions

Students do not need to make an appointment, but just show up in person at 12:30pm.

All students who wish to be in the following Jazz Ensembles should attend the Placement Audition:

Jazz Ensemble Auditions

Jump Start is a one-week intensive program for new (first-year) students, transfer students, and current/returning WSU students to get a jump start on the Fall semester. Each day, students will experience classroom workshops offering an introduction to the theory and musicianship courses that serve as a foundation for the music curriculum, and will have the opportunity to learn more about the University and the Department of Music, right alongside other music students! Participants will build fluency and confidence in the skills that form the foundation of the undergraduate music degree

Jump Start

Since 2007, Wayne State University's Department of Music has teamed up with the Detroit Jazz Festival to offer high school students Jazz Week@Wayne, a week-long workshop focused on jazz education. Renamed J.C. Heard JazzWeek@Wayne in 2012 to honor support from the Heard family, the program integrates the legacy of renowned jazz drummer J.C. Heard into its curriculum and activities.

J.C. Heard Jazz Week @ Wayne

This thoughtfully curated exhibition coincides with the J Dilla Music Tech Teaching Workshop — a multi-day experience for Michigan public school teachers — hosted by WSU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Save The Music Foundation, and CFPCA’s Department of Music. The workshop introduces K-12 teachers to modern music production led by Wayne State music faculty, using software and equipment in the J Dilla Music Tech Grant.

I Got Beats in These Fingertips: Opening Reception

More people sing in choirs every week than all other hobbies combined. Yet there is a crying need for well-crafted, high quality and accessible music for them to perform. If you conduct a choir in the public schools or a local church, and aren’t in love with the repertoire choices presently available to you, then why not create your own instead?

Writing for Voices - Choral Composing & Arranging Intensive

The Wayne State University Department of Music is excited to present a one-week Summer Piano Camp focused on improving students' music interpretation and technical skills while fostering an appreciation for collaboration and performance. Each student will build on their musical abilities through individual lessons, masterclasses, and various performance opportunities throughout the week.

Summer Piano Camp 2024

Join fellow WSU alumni and supporters for an evening celebrating queer art and programming at Wayne State! Beverages and light snacks will be provided as you peruse art curated through Mighty Real/Queer Detroit’s second biennial exhibition that explores the mirroring relationship between art and self, as well as art and communities.

I'll Be Your Mirror; Art, Alumni and Friends

Detroit Jazz Preservation Concert Series

90th Annual Forensics and Debate Alumni Banquet

1. Apply to Wayne State University - Apply and be accepted to the University through Undergraduate Admissions. Prospective students should complete WSU application (all application materials submitted) at least one month prior to Department of Music audition date.

Department of Music Audition Day

Chamber Music Recital

Combos and Jazztet

Wind Symphony, Concert Band, and Campus Band

General Lectures and Concerts: Lasch and Qui Recital

Composer's Concert

The Annual Saxophone Day@Wayne State event is open to all area middle school, high school, college, or adult saxophonists with a passion for improvement in their saxophone playing abilities. The day is hosted by the Department of Music, Dr. James Fusik, Prof. Chris Collins, Prof. Russel Miller, and WSU Faculty Marcus Elliot. It will include a featured performance by the Marcus Elliot Quartet, WSU Student Chamber ensembles, and the Detroit Saxophone Ensemble.

Saxophone Day

General Lectures and Concerts: Student Collage Concert

WSU Department of Music welcomes guest artists, NOW Ensemble to Schaver Music Recital Hall.

NOW Ensemble

Wayne State @ the Max: featuring WSU's Concert Band and Wind Symphony.

Wayne State @ the Max: Concert Band and Wind Symphony

Wayne State @ the Max: Orchestra

General Lectures and Concerts: Student Collage Concert I

Wayne State University is pleased to invite your finest students to participate in the annual Honor Orchestra Day which will be held on Friday February 9, 2024. This daylong event will take place on the campus of Wayne State University. Your students will work with Professor Douglas Bianchi, conductor of our University Orchestra, and our string faculty who are members of the Detroit Symphony. They will also interact and perform side by side with the members of our University Orchestra, as well as other college students who are involved with education.  The day will conclude with a gala concert that will feature all String Day participants performing side by side with the University Orchestra under the direction of Doulgas Bianchi. No fee is required from the participants.

Honor Orchestra

Wayne State University is pleased to invite your finest students to participate in the annual Honor Band Day which will be held on Thursday February 9, 2024. This daylong event will take place on the campus of Wayne State University. Your students will have many enriching experiences as they work with master conductors and perform in a gala concert at the end of the day. There is no fee for students to attend this event.

Honor Band

Calling all Wayne State Music Alumni! Join us for our annual Alumni Reception at the Michigan Music Conference.

Wayne State Music Alumni Reception @ Michigan Music Conference

Amway Grand Plaza

Virago is a new voice in classical music. Marked by intense chemistry and resistance to creative norms, Virago melds free improvisation and contemporary chamber music into a contagious headspace of out-of-the box expression. This unusually instrumented quartet improvises through collaborations with composers, audience members, visual artists, and musicians across genres, marking the path for the future of chamber music.

Guest Artist Recital: Virago

Detroit Jazz Preservation Concert Series featuring Vincent Chandler.

The Wayne State Department of Music Presents the University Orchestra and Wind Symphony at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center Cube. This concert will feature students from Wayne State University, Douglas Bianchi, conductor and Scott Gwinell, director.

Wayne State @ the Max: Jazz Big Band and Orchestra

Detroit Jazz Preservation Concert Series 2023

Opera Workshop 2023

General Lectures and Concerts: Student Collage III

Combos and Jazztet 2023

The Department of Music presents the Fall Chamber Music Recital featuring Wayne State music students.

Chamber Music Recital 2023

Join us for an evening of music featuring the Wayne State Department of Music's Cello Studio. This concert will feature works by Bach, Brahms, Chopin, Popper, Saint-Seans, Tchaikovsky, and Joseph Craciola.

Cello Studio Recital

Choral Union

General Lectures and Concerts: Gretchen C. Valade Signature Series

General Lectures and Concerts: Gretchen C. Valade Signature Series 2023

Join us for an evening of jazz music featuring several of Wayne State Department of Music's jazz combo ensembles.

Jazz Combos

On Nov 20th, 2023, the Music Business program in the Department of Music will host David Strauss, the General Manager of The Fillmore Detroit (LiveNation). He will  join the IP & Stakeholders course to give students context on our discussions about venues and live performance.

Guest Speaker: David Strauss (LiveNation & The Fillmore Detroit)

The Wayne State Department of Music Presents the University Concert Band and Wind Symphony at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center Cube. This concert will feature students from Wayne State University and Douglas Bianchi, conductor.

Wayne State @ the Max: Concert Band and Wind Symphony 2023

Wayne State University is pleased to welcome you to participate in the annual Voice Day which will be held on Saturday November 18, 2023. This daylong event will take place on the campus of Wayne State University. Students will have many enriching experiences designed to spark growth and possibility in preparing for their journey as musicians. The day will include vocal masterclasses, choral clinics, performances, and rehearsals with Wayne State faculty members, culminating in a Choral performance at the end of the day.

Voice Day

General Lectures and Concerts: Music Across Borders, The Icelandic Popular Music Industry by Professor Jeremy Peters.

General Lectures and Concerts: Music Across Borders

The Department of Music presents: Voice Area Recital, a recital featuring the vocal students of Wayne State University.

Voice Area Recital 2023

The Department of Music presents: Flute Studio Recital. A recital featuring the flute students of Wayne State University.

Flute Studio Recital

Brahms Requiem

Christ Church Cranbrook

Join curators Jessika Edgar and Kat Goffnett for a walkthrough of the exhibition Elevation: Kaneko and Contemporary Ceramics currently on view at the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery. As you view the exhibition, the curators will talk about the process of curating and developing a curatorial theme and discuss the artists and artworks included in the exhibition.

Curatorial Walkthrough of Elevation: Kaneko and Contemporary Ceramics

General Lectures and Concerts: Student Collage II, Melodytroit

The Department of Music welcomes you to a recital featuring our piano students.

Piano Studio Recital 2023

On Nov 8th, 2023, the Music Business program in the Department of Music will host Nicole Churchill and Julian Wettlin from Detroit's own artist accelerator, label, and music licensing powerhouse, Assemble Sound. They'll join the IP & Stakeholders course to give students context on our discussions about how music is used by people other than labels, publishers, recording artists, and songwriters.

Guest Speakers: Nicole Churchill & Julian Wettlin (Assemble Sound)

The Guitar Day@Wayne State is open to any and all area middle through adult aged students with a passion for improvement in their playing abilities. Some of the many exciting events for the day are listed below.

Composer's Concert 2023

Join us for the Composer’s Concert featuring our own students!

Composer’s Concert

Join us for the Electronic Music Ensemble show!

Join us for a concert featuring the Wind Symphony, Concert Band, and Campus Band

Wayne State University Department of Music

May 12, 2024 - May 4, 2025

Detroit Jazz Preservation Concert Series

Nov 12, 2024 - Mar 18, 2025

Voice Area Recital

Nov 20, 2024 - Mar 25, 2025

Piano Studio Recital

Mar 26, 2025

Composer’s Concert

Mar 28, 2025

Electronic Music Ensemble

Dec 11, 2024

Wayne State Choirs at the DSO Performing Home Alone

Dec 10, 2024 - Apr 18, 2025

Opera Workshop

Articles & News

Wayne State University Department of Music