Kansas State University is all set to become a cultural hotspot this year with an array of musical events organized by the KSU School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. From orchestral concerts to opera productions, these events promise to celebrate artistry and creativity in a vibrant setting. With renowned artists like Dr. Nancy Ambrose King and engaging performances from students and faculty, these events are designed to captivate audiences and offer a memorable experience for both music enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Harmony Unleashed: A Musical Journey at KSU

Kansas State University is hosting an eclectic array of events in 2026, celebrating the richness and diversity of performing arts. From Otto Nicolai’s operatic adaptation of Shakespeare's 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' to the dynamic energy of the KSU Symphony Orchestra's 'Patchwork' and 'Woven Facade' concerts, there's something for every music enthusiast. These events, including a unique percussion ensemble and an exquisite guest recital, highlight the contributions of talented artists and musicians, making each performance a standout experience. Join us in Manhattan, KS, for these vibrant cultural festivities.

Celebrating Diversity in Performance: From Opera to Orchestra at KSU

In the ensemble's final performance of the season, the KSUSO will perform the powerful and emotionally complex Symphony No. 5 by Dimitri Shostakovich. Join the KSUSO for this special performance on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the McCain Auditorium. This concert is free and open to the public.

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KSU Symphony Orchestra - Woven Facade

Kansas State University

All-Star Percussion Ensemble brings together top Kansas high school percussionists, nominated by their directors, for a day of rehearsals with K-State faculty and students.

Percussion Ensemble Concert and All-Star Percussion Ensemble

Featuring the K-State String Ensembles, Patchwork celebrates music for the string orchestra. The KSUSO will also welcome K-State student concerto soloists to the stage. Patchwork will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the McCain Auditorium and the performance free and open to the public.

KSU Symphony Orchestra - Patchwork

Otto Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor (Die lustigen Weiber Von Windsor) is a German adaptation of Shakespeare’s beloved play, Falstaff, telling the story of notorious drunkard and womanizer Sir John Falstaff and his attempts to woo two married women. After receiving identical letters from Falstaff suggesting illicit affairs, Frau Fluth and Frau Reich decide to teach him a well-deserved lesson and prove their fidelity to their husbands. At the same time, the Reich’s youngest daughter must thwart her parent’s plans to marry her off.

Join us for K-State Opera's 2026 production, and celebrating the retirment of Dr. Reginald Pittman, K-State's Director of Opera since 1997.

Merry Wives of Windsor

K-State oboe day is a free event for oboists and music appreciators of all ages! The theme for this year is “Only Light Can Do That…Only Love Can Do That” and the concert program will center around themes of love. Our 2026 guest artist is Dr. Nancy Ambrose King, Professor of Oboe at the University of Michigan. Events will include an oboe band, reed making class, performance master class, and concert.

K-State Oboe Day

Performances by select students from the music studios and ensembles in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

Student Showcase Recital

Enjoy the Pride of Wildcat Land in a standalone performance.

Marching Band Concert

Bramlage Coliseum

Celebrating the orchestral overture, the K-State Symphony Orchestra will perform a collection of overtures from opera, music theatre, and works written exclusively for the symphony. Featuring works by Mozart, Rossini, Dvorak, and more, this concert celebrates famous orchestral overtures that propelled the evolution of music throughout history. The orchestra will also feature trombone soloist, Dr. Daniel Hinman. Join the KSUSO Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in the McCain Auditorium. This concert is free and open to the public.

Symphony Orchestra: First Loves

K-State piano students will perform a variety of classical selections from Bach to contemporary.

Piano Studio Recital

The Fall concert of the K-State Wind Ensemble.

Wind Ensemble

Performance by K-State's premier auditioned a cappella group.

In-A-Chord

Performances by the K-State Wind Symphonoy and Concert Band.

Wind Symphony & Concert Band

Please join the K-State Percussion Studio for a night of music featuring our two percussion ensembles. With a focus on music that integrates technology with traditional percussion, this concert has something for everyone!

Percussion Ensembles Concert

The K-State School of Music, Theatre, and Dance presents student performers in the monthly Showcase Recital throughout the school year. The Student Showcase is free and open to the public.

Join K-State Dance for a show that will keep your spirit warm! Featuring original choreography by K-State faculty, students, and guest artists in jazz, modern, and tap styles.

Winter Dance Concert

Please join us for the fall 2024 K-State Trumpet Ensemble & Horn Choir Recital!

Trumpet Ensemble & Horn Choir Recital

Students from the Trombone and Flute studios will present their Fall concert.

Flutes & Bones

The Kansas State University Faculty Brass Quintet will perform its annual fall recital at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at All Faith Chapel on the campus of Kansas State University.  Admission is free.

Kansas State University Faculty Brass Quintet Fall Concert

Dr. Tiantian Liang, Assistant Teaching Professor of Piano at Northern Arizona University, will perform solo piano works by Schubert, Debussy, Amy Beach and Mozart.

Guest Recital: Dr. Tiantian Liang, Piano

Guest artist, Dr. Tiantian Liang, will conduct a public masterclass for K-State piano students.

Piano Masterclass: Dr. Tiantian Liang

The fall program of the K-State Concert Choir, directed by Dr. Joshua Oppenheim.

Concert Choir

St. Isidore's Catholic Student Center

A concert featuring student performances from the K-State School of Music, Theatre, and Dance percussion and string studios with music from the 18th-21st century.

Sticks & Strings

The fall programs of the Collegiate Chorale and Univeristy Treble Choir, under the direction of Dr. Jamie Bunce.

Collegiate Chorale and University Treble Choir

Trombonist Blake Davis will present his Senior Recital.

Blake Davis Senior Trombone Recital

Waking from hibernation in the Spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special. Part vaudeville, part make believe... all charm, A Year with Frog and Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures throughout the seasons.

A Year with Frog and Toad (Musical)

The School of Music, Theatre and Dance has designated the Purple Masque Theatre as the new home for the KSU Jazz Program. Under the direction of Wayne Goins (University Distinguished Professor of Jazz Studies), the jazz concerts for both big bands and small combos will be held at the West Memorial Stadium, located directly behind the KSU Alumni Center and across from St. Isidore’s Church at the corner of Denison and Anderson Avenue.

Jazz @ Purple Masque

Claire Severance Senior Recital

 Kirmser Hall

Featuring the K-State University Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, join us for a fun evening of music written for the string orchestra! Solosits Jeremy Kittel and K-State Violin/Viola Professor, Madeleine Jansen will be featured and K-State String Division student conductors will share their debut conducting performances with the University Orchestra. Admission is free—donations are always appreciated.

 Simply Strings

Amelia wants to go to the ball and seemingly nothing will stop her. Even when her husband discovers that she has a lover and demands his name, she only agrees to give it to him if he will then go to the ball. After her husband confronts her lover, she demands that they go to the ball. When he refuses, she knocks him out by hitting him over the head with a vase. She then calls the police and blames the incident on a robber who is actually her lover. In the end, she finally attends the ball with her escort, the Chief of Police.

Amelia Goes to the Ball

Internationally renowned pianist and K-State professor of piano Sławomir Dobrzański will perform a varied recital of keyboard classics by Bach, Mozart, Clara Schumann and Chopin. Also on the program will be a short masterworks by Charles Ives and Arnold Schönberg in commemoration of the 150th anniversaries of their births. 

 Sławomir Dobrzański

Wildcat Oboe Weekend 2024 with guest artist Katherine Needleman: Feb. 24 and 25, 2024! This free event will include recitals, master classes, vendors, and more! Scan the QR code on the flyer to register for the event.

Wildcat Oboe Weekend 2024

Wind and Percussion Division Recital

Dr. Lily Guerrero is Assistant Professor of Voice and Director of Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music. The daughter of Mexican and Cuban immigrants, her research focuses on advocating for Latinx voices in classical music and she has received fellowship funding for this endeavor from the Society for American Music.

Lecture Recital: Canciones de Latino América

The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance wraps up this year's Faculty Showcase Series with "Love Connections" on Thursday, February 8 at Trinity Presbyterian Church (1110 College Ave).

Register now! https://ksu.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1799&p=1

A delicious dinner of sweet and savory pies from TheraPie,LLC will be served, followed by a concert featuring faculty members from the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

 Love Connection - Faculty Showcase Series

Trinity Presbyterian Church

The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance invites the K-State community to the first Student Showcase Recital of the Spring semester

February Student Showcase Recital

Celeste Johnson (oboe professor at University of Missouri-Kansas City), Rose Wollman (viola), Meredith Blecha-Wells (cello), and Karen Savage (piano) will be performing a recital of music for oboe, strings, and piano on October 25 at 2:30 pm in All Faiths Chapel. This event is free and all are welcome!

KSU School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Oct 25, 2026

Guest Recital: Music for oboe, strings, and piano

Apr 30, 2026

KSU Symphony Orchestra - Woven Facade

Apr 29, 2026

Percussion Ensemble Concert and All-Star Percussion Ensemble

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KSU School of Music, Theatre, and Dance