In addition to the major productions from the theatre and Hays Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Hays State University Music and Theatre Department has a busy 2015-2016 season that will feature everything from recitals to band concerts.
“The performing arts opportunities in Hays are unique,” said Ben Cline, chair of the department. “Nowhere else in western Kansas will you get this kind of quality and depth in the performing arts. It’s truly remarkable that in a town of this size, isolated from urban centers, there is such a depth and range of music and art. And the community has access to all these events.”
The season includes large and small ensemble concerts, theatre productions, faculty recitals and guest recitals. The department will use five venues: Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall; Felten-Start Theatre in Malloy Hall; Palmer Hall in Malloy Hall; First Presbyterian Church, Hays; and St. Fidelis Cathedral, Victoria.
Though the first two faculty recitals have passed, audiences still have many musical events from which to choose.
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m., Palmer Hall -- Faculty recital: Hilary Shepard, flute. Shepard, instructor of music, will play contemporary pieces on flute, piccolo, alto flute and bass flute. The music ranges from slow, beautiful Armenian hymns to electronic and pre-recorded accompaniments to instrumental mixed with poetry. “There are a lot of different sound experiences,” said Shepard. “Some might make you uncomfortable and some you might like.”
Friday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- FHSU Band/Choir Concert. The choir is under the direction of Dr. Terry Crull, associate professor of music, and will perform only Bach pieces. The FHSU Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Jeff Jordan, associate professor of music, will perform pieces written by composers who have shaped the wind ensemble world, such as Percy Granger and David Holsinger.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 3 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- Guest artist recital: Jonathan Sokasits, piano. Sokasits is professor of piano at Hastings College, Hastings, Neb.
Sunday, Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m., St. Fidelis -- Joint concert: Smoky Hill Chorale and Oklahoma State University Women’s Chorale.
Monday, Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- Faculty recital: Kay Werth, oboe.
Monday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- Small Ensemble recital.
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., Palmer Hall -- Faculty recital: Dr. Kristin Pisano, clarinet.
Thursday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- FHSU Jazz Ensembles.
Friday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- FHSU Bands.
Sunday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., St. Fidelis -- Cathedral Concert.
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- FHSU Percussion.
Tuesday, March 8, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- FHSU Choirs. The concert will center on a piece composed by Jordan, based on Psalm 150, accompanied by brass, winds and strings.
Thursday, March 10, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- FHSU Bands.
Saturday, April 2, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- Guest artist: Cottonwood Project featuring Veronique Mathieu, assistant professor of music at the University of Kansas, violin; Shah Sadikov, assistant professor of music at FHSU, viola; Cline, cello; and a pianist to be announced at a later date.
Tuesday, April 12, 7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian -- Smoky Hill Chorale.
Monday, April 25, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- FHSU Small Ensembles.
Friday, April 29, 7:30 p.m., Felten-Start -- FHSU Theatre Showcase.
Saturday, April 30, 7:30 p.m., Felten-Start -- FHSU Theatre Showcase.
Tuesday, May 3, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- FHSU Jazz Ensembles.
Friday, May 6, 7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt -- FHSU Bands.
“We love to share these performances with our community and friends,” said Cline.
For more information, visit www.fhsu.edu/music-and-theatre.