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FINE ARTS 2026-2027 Come discover the arts with us!

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F R O M T H E D I V I S I O N C H A I R O F F I N E A RT S

Welcome to another exciting year of performances, exhibitions, and inspiration at Friends University Fine Arts! This year, we invite students to view their creative process through the lens of our Campus Ministry’s theme, Step by Step. Galatians 5:25 reminds us that “since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” As we look to the year ahead, we seek to apply this intentionality to our daily practice, growing in our studies, creative work, and journeys of faith. Fine Arts faculty and students have enriched our community in many ways over the past year. In May, we launched our first Musical Theatre Intensive, with 26 middle and high school students performing Disney’s Freaky Friday, supported by a production crew of Friends students. Students majoring in Graphic Design and Conservation Science collaborated to create interpretative signage for the Boeing Emery landfill restoration area. And in July, two of our students returned to the finalist competitions for the National Association of Teachers of Singing, bringing home 3rd in the nation honors! The year ahead is sure to delight, with performances in musical theatre and opera, jazz and classical music, and exhibitions of art and design. Join us in April for student presentations at the Friends Music Education Summit and the annual University Research Symposium. And, you won’t want to miss Home Concert on April 2-3 as the Singing Quakers preview their upcoming Carnegie Hall performance in June! We invite you to join us this year as we step into a season of walking with the Spirit, growing together one step at a time.

Dr. Nathanael May Tim & Gail Buchanan Fine Arts Division Chair

Our Cover Image highlights the intersection of art, design, and performance, with students involved in the creation of original digital projections that add movement and depth to the action on stage.

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R I N E Y F I N E A RT S C E N T E R

FRIENDS UNIVERSITY FINE ARTS

FACULTY & STAFF

DR. LYDIA BECHTEL

BRYCE BASSETT

Assistant Professor of Voice; Coordinator of Vocal Studies

AARON KRONE

DR. JAMES KNIGHT

Assistant Professor of Technical Theatre

Associate Professor of Piano

SARAH LAMAR

DR. NATHANAEL MAY

DR. SHAWN KNOPP

Associate Professor of Music Education; Director of Bands

STEVE MONSEN

Associate Professor of Art

Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre

Professor of Music; Tim & Gail Buchanan Division Chair of Fine Arts

Assistant Professor Graphic Arts

DR. RAYVON T.J. MOORE

DR. CANÈS NICOLAS

ANGELA KAY PÉREZ

DR. NICHOLAS SCHROEDER

Associate Professor of Music; Director: Choral Studies & Singing Quakers

Associate Professor of Strings; Director: Orchestra

CRAYTON BINA

Fine Arts Engagement & Communications Coordinator

Assistant Professor of Music Education; Director of Concert Choir

FREDDY FALCON

Friends University Mascot

Assistant Professor of Music; Program Director: Jazz

ROBYN MABE

Administrative Assistant

Get in touch at friends.edu/directory

FALL SEPTEMBER

FIRST FRIDAY Opening Reception Friday 4, 5-7 p.m. Riney Gallery | On view until Oct. 31 FREE VISUAL ARTS: STUDENT SHOWCASE Opening Reception Saturday 5, 5-7 p.m. Riney Atrium | On view until Oct. 31 FREE TUCK EVERLASTING: FALL MUSICAL Friday 18, 7:30 p.m. Saturday 19, 7:30 p.m. Sunday 20, 2 p.m. Sebits Auditorium

OCTOBER FINE ARTS FACULTY FANFARE Thursday 1, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium Enjoy the many talents of the full-time and adjunct Fine Arts faculty as they perform the opening concert of the 2026-2027 season! FIRST FRIDAY Friday 2, 5-7 p.m. Riney Gallery | On view until Nov. 30 FREE DR. BECHTEL & DR. KNIGHT FACULTY RECITAL Monday 5, 7:30 p.m. Riney Chapel FREE WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT Tuesday 6, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium TENOR BASS FEST Tuesday 13, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sebits Auditorium MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR BAND Wednesday 14, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sebits Auditorium ART CHALLENGE Friday 16, All Day Riney Gallery FREE

O C T O B E R C O N T. 250 PIANO FESTIVAL Saturday 17, All Day Sebits Auditorium & Riney Chapel SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT Tuesday 20, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium ORCHESTRA INVITATIONAL CONCERT Tuesday 27, 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium CAMPUS BAND & CONCERT CHOIR Tuesday 27, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium CHAMBER ENSEMBLES CONCERT Thursday 29, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium

NOVEMBER FIRST FRIDAY Friday 6, 5-7 p.m. Riney Gallery | On view until Nov. 30 FREE TOWER WIND QUINTET FACULTY RECITAL Tuesday 10, 7:30 p.m. Riney Chapel FREE Join the quintet as they celebrate 25 years with the world premier of "Sacred Dances" by Jackson Anderson which was commissioned for the occasion. JAZZ CONCERT Thursday 12, 7:30 p.m. Friday 13, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium GET TROMBONAFIDE! Saturday 14, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sebits Auditorium SWEETHEARTS: FALL OPERA Friday 20, 7:30 p.m. Saturday 21, 2:00 p.m. Sebits Auditorium WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT Monday 23, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium

DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT Friday 4, 7:30 p.m. Saturday 5, 7:30 p.m. Sunday 6, 2 p.m. Sebits Auditorium Come and celebrate the Christmas season with the Singing Quakers and Concert Choir, along with the Friends University Orchestra, Flute Choir, and more, at the annual Christmas Candlelight concerts. VISUAL ARTS SHOWCASE Opening reception Monday 7, 5-7 p.m. Riney Atrium | On view until Jan. 31 FREE

PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS VISUAL ARTS EVENTS

SPRING

JANUARY

APRIL

M AY

DR. HYUNSUK KIM FACULTY RECITAL Friday 15, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium FREE

FIRST FRIDAY Opening Reception Friday 2, 5 - 7 p.m. Riney Gallery | On view until Apr. 30 FREE

SYMPHONY OF SPRING Saturday 1, 7:30 p.m. Sunday 2, 2 p.m. Sebits Auditorium

DR. JAMES KNIGHT FACULTY RECITAL Saturday 16, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium FREE

FEBRUARY SING IT! VOCAL FESTIVAL CONCERT Thursday 4, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium FIRST FRIDAY Opening Reception Friday 5, 5-7 p.m. Riney Gallery | On view until Feb. 28 FREE WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT Tuesday 16, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium JAZZ FESTIVAL CONCERTS Thursday 18, 7:30 p.m. Friday 19, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium

MARCH SPRING FLUTE CHOIR CONCERT Tuesday 2, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium FREE FIRST FRIDAY Opening Reception Friday 5, 5 - 7 p.m. Riney Gallery | On view until Mar. 31 FREE MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR CHOIR Friday 5, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sebits Auditorium THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME: SPRING MUSICAL Friday 5, 7:30 p.m. Saturday 6, 7:30 p.m. Sunday 7, 2 p.m. Sebits Auditorium CHAMBER ENSEMBLES CONCERT Thursday 11, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium

SINGING QUAKERS HOME CONCERT Friday 2, 7:30 p.m. Saturday 3, 2 p.m. Sebits Auditorium

VISUAL ARTS SHOWCASE Opening reception Monday 3, 5-7 p.m. Riney Atrium | On view until May 31 FREE

OPERA WORKSHOP SHOWCASE Tuesday 6, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium FREE Friends University Opera and Graphic Design students collaborate in a program combining voice performance with interactive stage design CONCERT CHOIR SPRING CONCERT Friday 9, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT Tuesday 13, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM Tuesday 13, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Davis Building Learn about the intersection of fine arts and scholarly creative work of Friends students! WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT Thursday 15, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium JAZZ FINALE CONCERT Saturday 24, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium CONCERT CHOIR COFFEE HOUSE Sunday 25, 7:30 p.m. Riney Atrium SYMPHONY OF SPRING Friday 30, 7:30 p.m. Sebits Auditorium

T I C K E T I N F O R M AT I O N & P U R C H A S E S CALL

ONLINE

316-295-5677

f r i e n d s . e d u / fi n e a r t s t i c k e t s

RINEY FINE ARTS CENTER

EVENTS FOR HIGH SCHOOLS WORKSHOPS ALL-STATE PREP DAY * Friday, September 19, All Day

TENOR BASS VOICE FESTIVAL * Tuesday, October 13, 8 AM - 1 PM 2-Year college choirs will join the Friends University Singing Quakers & Concert Choir in this annual outreach workshop. This educational event culminates into a showcase performance, open to the public at 7:30 p.m. in Sebits Auditorium.

MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR BAND * Wednesday, October 14, All Day 7th & 8th grade students will experience a day of extraordinary music making with our fabulous guest conductors! Brandi & Clayton Kaus, from Augusta Middle School, will conduct the 7th Grade Band and Jayme Hayes, from Mayberry Middle School, will conduct the 8th Grade Band.

ORCHESTRA INVITATIONAL Tuesday, October 27, 7:30 p.m. Local Kansas high school orchestras will join the Friends University Chamber Orchestra on the Sebits Auditorium stage for a collaborative public performance! Email Dr. Canès Nicolas, Director of Orchestra, for more information and how to get your school orchestra involved: canes_nicolas@friends.edu.

Get in touch with Band Director, Dr. Shawn Knopp, for more information on these events* and for reservations: shawn_knopp@friends.edu.

GET TROMBONAFIDE! * Saturday, November 16, All Day Get Trombonafide! is more than just a festival, it is an opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired. Throughout the day, participants will have the chance to work with outstanding clinicians, perform alongside fellow trombonists, and experience music-making at the highest level.

SING IT! VOCAL FESTIVAL * Thursday, February 4, All Day Kansas high school choirs will join the Friends University Singing Quakers & Concert Choir in this annual outreach workshop. This educational event culminates into a showcase performance, open to the public at 7:30 p.m. in Sebits Auditorium.

JAZZ FESTIVAL Thursday, Feb. 18 & Friday, Feb. 19, All Day This educational and experiential-focused event aims to provide jazz band students and directors an opportunity to blend with other middle school and high school programs alongside a variety of jazz professionals and educators. Each evening there will be a public concert at 7:30 p.m. in Sebits Auditorium. For more information, contact Dr. Nick Schroeder, Program Director of Jazz: nicholas_schroeder@friends.edu or visit friends.edu/jazzfestival.

Get in touch with Choral Director, Dr. Rayvon T.J. Moore, for more information on these events* and for reservations: rayvon_moore@friends.edu.

F R E E M AT I N E E P E R F O R M A N C E S TUCK EVERLASTING: FALL MUSICAL Thursday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. Sebits Auditorium

SWEETHEARTS: FALL OPERA Thursday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. Sebits Auditorium

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME: SPRING MUSICAL

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Thursday, March 4, 10:00 a.m. Sebits Auditorium

SYMPHONY OF SPRING Thursday, April 29, 10:00 a.m. Sebits Auditorium

HOW TO BOOK Send an email to finearts@friends.edu to reserve your school’s place at any of the matinees above and include the following information: name of your school; how many students and chaperones you intend to bring; and any ADA/seating requirements.

FINE ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS A U D I T I O N A N D P O R T F O L I O R E V I E W D AY S When you visit campus on a Scholarship Day, students will have the opportunity to audition for scholarships and portfolio reviews, attend classes, sit in on rehearsals, talk with current students, enjoy a free lunch, and even sit in on preview performances of some of our shows! Visit us on one of the dates listed below!

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS Audi tion for o on Oct. 1 u scho larsh r best 5 ip aw ards!

ART & GRAPHIC DESIGN Provide a portfolio or samples of your work for Studio or Graphics (concept sketches, drawings, renderings, paintings, photographs, sculpture, ceramics, graphic designs, web designs, mixed media, etc.) Submit as printed material, high-res digital images, and/or website link.

DANCE

Oct. 15 Feb. 15

Join us for a dance class on audition day, or perform a 2-minute dance solo in ballet, tap, modern/contemporary or jazz.

THEATRE Perform a memorized 1-2 minute contemporary dramatic or comic monologue, or a piece from a published play. This should be presented in your natural voice without dialects.

MUSICAL THEATRE Perform a memorized, 1 minute contemporary dramatic or comic monologue and a 16-32 bar cut from the musical theatre genre. Students must be prepared to participate in a dance call.

VOICE/CHOIR

Apr. 16 ering

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Join Friends on a Fine Arts scholarship! With our assistance, you can choose any program of study that Friends offers, and continue to be involved in the artistic pursuits that matter to you! Sign up today by scanning the QR code below!

Learn more and apply at

friends.edu/audition

Perform a solo for your voice type with piano accompaniment. Singers will also be assessed on vocalization, tonal memory, and sight singing. An accompanist will be provided for you.

PIANO/ORGAN Perform a piece from the standard classical keyboard literature, and a representative technical work, such as a scale (3 octaves), exercise, or etude.

ALL BAND/JAZZ INSTRUMENTS A passage from a solo, etude, or KMEA audition music, or a piece from your band music. If you play in jazz band, bring KMEA audition music or a piece from your jazz folder.

ORCHESTRA/STRINGS One major and one minor scale of your choice; a solo work of your choice; and an etude or an orchestral excerpt, e.g. from a youth symphony audition or KMEA/District orchestra audition.

GUITAR Reading music in open position; open position chords; Barre chords; Jazz chords; scales/modes; a piece in any style/genre that demonstrates technical ability.

Keep in touch! DEGREE PROGRAMS

friends.edu/undergraduate

SOCIAL MEDIA

@Friends University Fine Arts

EVENTS & TICKETS

friends.edu/fineartstickets

FINE ARTS NEWSLETTER

friends.edu/theweeklyhappenings

FINE ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS

friends.edu/audition

CONCERT PROGRAMS

friends.edu/program

CALL

316-295-5677

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finearts@friends.edu

| 316-295-5677

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