Pitt State presents several performances throughout April

Open to the community and campus this month are several performances presented by the Pittsburg State University Music Department and the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts — and all but one of them are free. 

April 12 | PSU Dance Showcase & Symposium  

The 3rd Annual Dance Showcase & Symposium will be held at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts and is free and open to the public. Hosted by the Minor in Dance program at PSU, it relates to the themes of community, collaboration and courage. Community members who are practicing with students in advance will be featured in some of the dances. The symposium, featuring research and informative displays related to dance, will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby. The performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Linda & Lee Scott Performance Hall. The evening is directed by Professor Janice Jewett.  

April 17 | Glenn Miller Orchestra   

This iconic big band still is wowing audiences from coast to coast, playing standards from its early days as well as modern pieces performed in the Miller style and sound. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. in the Linda & Lee Scott Performance Hall at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. Tickets are $30 and are available at Room 137 Garfield Weede Building, or by calling 620-235-4796, or online at pittstate.edu/tickets. Discounts are available for PSU students, faculty, and staff with valid PSU ID.   

April 19 | PSU Jazz Concert  

Attend a free concert in honor of National Jazz Appreciation Month, performed by the PSU Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Professor Robert Kehle, with special guest the Crossroad Jazz Orchestra directed by Professor Todd Hastings.   

Attendees can expect to hear a range of pieces from jazz standards to contemporary works that trace the history of PSU and of jazz, America’s musical art form. A featured performer will be Lemuel Sheppard, and photos of PSU’s founding and early years through today will be incorporated. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. in the Linda & Lee Scott Performance Hall. 

April 25 | Modern Paraguayan Music and Jazz: Guest Artist Violin & Piano Recital  

A free evening of Paraguayan music will feature PSU alumni and guest artists, Dani Ayala, piano and Ramiro Miranda, violin. This unique event is funded by a grant from the Kansas Paraguay Partners. The recital will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Sharon K. Dean Recital Hall in McCray Hall.  

April 27 | PSU Wind Ensemble Concert  

This concert will feature some of the most talented wind and percussion players in the PSU Music Department playing new and traditional wind band music under the direction of Assistant Professor Andrew Chybowski. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. in the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts.  

April 30 | University Choir "Night Songs"  

Take an excursion through many musical expressions related to this special part of our daily cycle, with diverse works ranging from chant to jazz and musical theatre. The University Choirs will be under the direction of Music Chair Susan Marchant. This performance will begin at 3 p.m. in the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts and is free and open to the public.  

Additionally, PSU will be the host site for three festivals that will draw hundreds of music students from across the region to Pittsburg. They are: 

April 1 | KSHSAA Regional Solo & Small Ensemble Festival  

High school musicians and ensembles from across the region will perform for judges at the Kansas State High School Activities Association Regional Solo & Small Ensemble Festival, hosted all day by PSU at McCray Hall and Bicknell Family Center for the Arts.  

April 20 | KSHSAA Regional Large Ensemble Festival   

High school music ensembles from across the region will perform for judges at the Kansas State High School Activities Association Large Ensemble Festival, hosted all day by PSU at McCray Hall and Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. 

April 22 | Mid-America Music Fest  

Music students from across the region will perform for judges at the Mid-America Music Festival, hosted by PSU at various venues all day.