2025-2026 Season
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS | KIRKLAND FINE ARTS CENTER
About Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Kirkland Fine Arts Center’s auditorium was designed to optimize the visual and acoustic experience of every guest and has 1,903 seats, including eight wheelchair-accessible spaces and six handicappedaccessible seats. The stage measures 53 feet by 23 feet and is visible from every seat in the house. In addition to the auditorium, there are gallery, studio, classroom and practice spaces available to Millikin guests, faculty and students. Kirkland boasts a hydraulic orchestra pit that can be raised to increase the stage area or lowered to accommodate an orchestra or other performing group and still has the original organ from Austin Organs Inc. Kirkland has hosted renowned theatrical tours and entertainers like “Rent,” “Grease,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Trace Adkins, Ray Charles and Little Richard and is home to Decatur’s favorite holiday concert, Vespers.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center opened in 1970. It was designed by Chicago-based architecture firm Perkins & Will (formerly Perkins and Will Partnership) in collaboration with prominent technical theatre designer Tom DeGaeni for stage design and sourced all labor and products regionally, from Decatur to St. Louis. Follow Kirkland Fine Arts Center on Facebook and Instagram @kirklandfinearts or learn more about upcoming performances at millikin.universitytickets.com.
Welcome from Bryan Diver, Director of Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Bryan Diver Director of Kirkland Fine Arts Center
A new season for the College of Fine Arts and Kirkland Fine Arts Center is here, and we welcome you to join us for a year of entertainment. With a diverse lineup of performances, ranging from family favorites, like Cirque du Canines, NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet and Matilda, to Broadway musicals like Ain’t Misbehavin’, to the overtures of your favorite composers and a concert from contemporary superstar Danny Gokey, this season promises to fulfill the expectations of families and theatre patrons alike!
As the director of the Kirkland Fine Arts Center, I would like to thank you for your support of Decatur’s premier performance venue and the College of Fine Arts at Millikin University.
Letter from Cameron Jackson, Dean of the College of Fine Arts
Cameron Jackson Dean of the College of Fine Arts
This is an exciting time for the arts, and you are most welcome to experience it with us this season. Art encourages and allows us to feel; it’s transformational and gives us deep access to not only ourselves but the world around us. We invite you to be a part of our journey of engaging in live performances and visual arts. There is something for everyone to enjoy, whether it’s your first time joining us or you’ve been a supporter of the arts at Millikin University for decades. We want to make the arts accessible to everyone, allowing you to engage with many different experiences along with students, professionals and community members.
This season’s offerings range from the sophisticated, refined glamour of “Hollywood Revisited,” to the bold, irreverent humor of “The Great American Trailer Park Musical.” We’ll revel in the art of movement as dancers breathe life into stories, be swept away by orchestral film scores that stir the soul and discover the beauty in everyday life as we explore the art of found objects. Whether you’re interested in celebrating the impact of jazz and the Harlem Renaissance through the music and dance of “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” or you want to witness the wonder and majesty of Vespers in black tie, it’s all here for you.
I am humbled to share what will be an exciting season of art, theatre and music with you, our community. We thank you for your support of the fine arts and Millikin University, and we look forward to seeing you on campus and in the community in the months ahead.
Cirque du Canines Hollywood Revisited
September 20 | 2 p.m.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Cirque du Canines is the collaboration of former Ringling touring performer Gail Mirabella and longtime trick dog performer Michelle Harrell. They have combined their talents, their dogs and their ideas to create an exciting performance for the stage.
October 18 | 2 p.m.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
This stunning musical revue showcases a dazzling lineup of costumes actually worn by the stars in the original Hollywood films. “Hollywood Revisited” is set to the music that defined the times and is presented by top-notch Broadway and Hollywood performers. The show will leave you in awe as you learn about and come close enough to touch these original historic costume designs of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Ain't Misbehavin' NUTCRACKER! Magical
Christmas Ballet
November 2 | 4 p.m.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Go back to a simpler time and make memories your family will cherish forever. Celebrate the holiday with an experience featuring an international cast, whimsical puppetry and opulent costumes and sets, handcrafted by the finest artisans of Europe. Tchaikovsky’s timeless score sets the stage for a Christmas your family will never forget.
February 14 | 7:30 p.m.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Named after the song by Fats Waller, the musical is a tribute to the black musicians of the 1920s and 1930s who were part of the Harlem Renaissance, an era of growing creativity, cultural awareness and ethnic pride. It was a time when Manhattan nightclubs like the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom were the playgrounds of high society and Lenox Avenue dives were filled with piano players banging out the new beat known as swing.
*Enjoy dinner and a show in partnership with the Decatur Club.
the Musical Jr.
March 20 | 7:30 p.m.
March 21 | 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
March 22 | 2 p.m.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
The Music of Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit & The Rings of Power — The Concert Matilda
Matilda is a little girl whose wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers get the attention of her schoolteacher, Miss Honey. However, the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and loves to punish them every chance she gets. Matilda’s cleverness may just be the key to ending Miss Trunchbull’s reign. Co-produced by the Decatur Park District, the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination will delight the whole family.
March 27 | 4 p.m.
The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit & The Rings of Power are coming!
In a magnificent concert with a film music orchestra, choir and star guests, the voice of Sir Christopher Lee introduces you to the musical world of J.R.R. Tolkien. From the threatening sounds of Mordor and the shrill attacks of the Black Riders to the beautiful lyrical melodies of the elves!
May 9 | 7:30 p.m.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
The Music of Hans Zimmer and Others — A Celebration of Film Music Danny Gokey
March 27 | 8 p.m.
The best film music from Top Gun, Dune, James Bond, The Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lion King, Gladiator, The Dark Knight, Inception, Interstellar and many other top productions — in a breathtaking concert event with The Hollywood Film Orchestra, choir, star soloists and selected film sequences, all with illumination and laser projection. Dive into the musical cosmos of Hans Zimmer!
An American Idol Season Eight Finalist, Danny Gokey quickly became a favorite of millions. Gokey’s first album, My Best Days, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. Since then, Danny has celebrated multiple No. 1’s, including his albums Hope In Front of Me, Rise and Haven’t Seen It Yet. Danny has cemented his place on the radio charts with multi-week, multi-chart Top 10 runs internationally. He has three Grammy nominations, three wins as KLOVE Male Vocalist of the Year and two Dove Awards.
Tickets on sale now at millikin.universitytickets.com!
Producer ($1,000+)
Alan & Beth Frigy
Sponsor ($500-$999)
Chuck & Gwen Yurieci
Promoter ($250-$499)
Bob & Mary Lundin
Brian Blasco
Curtis Fox
Libby Watkins Maurer
Joe & Carol Houston
John Rasche
Leonard & Edith Walter
Paul & Verlyn Rosenberger
Terry & Maureen McDorman
Paul Foster
Walt Wessel
Partner ($100-$249)
David Kosar
Jeanette Sweet
Judy Mannarelli
Rachel Moran
Ruth L. Cortright
Frank & Carole Meyer
Robert Gorman
Dr. Wallace Southerland
Thank You to the Friends of Kirkland Become a Friend Today!
Collaborator ($50 to $99)
» 10% discount
» Recognition in all Kirkland programs
Partner ($100 to $249)
» 15% discount
» Recognition in all Kirkland programs
» Early-bird access to purchase Vespers tickets
Promoter ($250 to $499)
» 20% discount
» Recognition in all Kirkland programs
» Early-bird access to purchase Vespers tickets
» Reserved parking
Sponsor ($500 to $999)
» 25% discount
» Recognition in all Kirkland programs
» Early-bird access to purchase Vespers tickets
» Reserved parking
» Four (4) tickets to be used for Series Events
Producer ($1,000 to $2,499)
» 25% discount
» Recognition in all Kirkland programs
» Early-bird access to purchase Vespers tickets
» Reserved parking
» Eight (8) tickets to be used for Series Events
» Recognition on Kirkland lobby screens
Collaborator ($50-$99)
Jim Duncan
Bryan Diver
LJ Pemberton
Kate Lacy
Benefactor ($2,500+)
» 25% discount
» Recognition in all Kirkland programs
» Early-bird access to purchase Vespers tickets
» Reserved parking
» Sixteen (16) tickets to be used for Series Events
» Recognition on Kirkland lobby screens
» Opportunity for a backstage tour of Kirkland
» Meet and greets with artists, when available
Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsor ($5,000)
» Business logo listed on sponsored performance program cover
» Full-page ad in sponsored performance program
» Sixteen (16) tickets to sponsored performance
» Recognition in curtain speech and/or announcements prior to sponsored performance
» Sponsor acknowledgement in digital marketing related to sponsored performance
» Meet and greet with artist(s) of sponsored performance, if available
Standing Ovation Sponsor ($2,500)
» Business name listed in sponsored performance program
» Half-page ad in sponsored performance program
» Eight (8) tickets to sponsored performance
» Recognition in curtain speech and/or announcements prior to sponsored performance
» Sponsor acknowledgement in digital marketing related to sponsored performance
Round of Applause Sponsor ($1,500)
» Business name listed in sponsored performance program
» Quarter-page ad in sponsored performance program
» Four (4) tickets to sponsored performance
» Recognition in curtain speech and/or announcements prior to sponsored performance
Curtain
»
Rachel E. Barnett Director & Professor, School of Theatre & Dance
About the School of Theatre & Dance
There’s a reason our School of Theatre & Dance programs are regularly recognized among the best in the nation — our personalized Performance Learning curriculum provides hands-on, real-world experience in every aspect of theatre and dance.
Our students take advantage of rigorous and rewarding production seasons, collaboration with industry professionals and daily access to state-of-the-art technology.
From celebrated runs on Broadway to winning Tony awards, our graduates excel as performers, designers, technicians, managers and arts leaders.
millikin.edu/theatre
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Virginia Rogers Theatre
October 16 | 7:30 p.m.
October 17 | 7:30 p.m.
October 18 | 2 p.m.
October 19 | 2 p.m.
Book by: Robert L. Freedman
Composed by: Steven Lutvak
Directed by: Kevin Long
Music Direction by: Beth Mason Creighton ’01
When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out he's eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D'Ysquith family, he sets off down a ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught?
“A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder” is a murderous romp filled with unforgettable music and nonstop laughs.
Virginia Rogers Theatre
The Tempest Solstice: A Concert of Dance
November 13 | 7:30 p.m.
November 14 | 7:30 p.m.
November 15 | 7:30 p.m. November 16 | 2 p.m.
Written by: William Shakespeare
Directed by: Alex Miller
Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero’s slave, Caliban, plots to rid himself of his master, but is thwarted by Prospero’s spirit-servant, Ariel. The King’s son Ferdinand, thought to be dead, falls in love with Prospero’s daughter Miranda. Prospero confronts his brother and reveals his identity as the usurped Duke of Milan.
Virginia Rogers Theatre
December 11 | 7:30 p.m.
December 12 | 7:30 p.m.
December 13 | 7:30 p.m.
Directed by: Angela Fledderman Miller
A blend of faculty and student work showcases the strength and creativity of the dance program at Millikin. Join us for a celebration of movement, sound and light through a variety of dance genres.
SCHOOL OF THEATRE & DANCE
The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Virginia Rogers Theatre
March 5 | 7:30 p.m.
March 6 | 7:30 p.m.
March 7 | 7:30 p.m.
March 8 | 2 p.m.
Music and Lyrics by: David Nehls
Book by: Betsy Kelso
Directed by: Jefferson Farber ’05
Music Direction by: Beth Mason Creighton ’01
There’s a new tenant at Armadillo Acres — and she’s wreaking havoc all over Florida’s most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil-loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband, the storms begin to brew.
Holy Chicken Sandwich
Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre
April 9 | 7:30 p.m.
April 10 | 7:30 p.m.
April 11 | 7:30 p.m.
April 12 | 2 p.m.
Educational Premiere
Written by: Kira Rockwell
Directed by: Tom Pacio
Co-produced by Millikin School of Theatre & Dance
At the highly anticipated grand opening of a controversial fast-food empire, 100 devotees gather in the parking lot for an overnight campout to win a year of free large combos. As the night unfolds, it’s clear there’s a fox in the chicken coop. “Holy Chicken Sandwich” is a comedic mystery — a play that invites audiences to uncover what’s really in the secret sauce of devotion.
School of Art & Creative Media
Jessa Wilcoxen Director & Professor, School of Art & Creative Media
About the School of Art & Creative Media
Millikin’s real-world approach to education allows students to engage in their artistic passion and experiment with entrepreneurship practices in our 24-hour art studios, media labs and diverse Performance Learning opportunities, such as:
» 1901 Productions, cinema production company
» Blue Connection, retail art gallery
» Millikin Creates, media firm
» Millitrax, state-of-the-art recording studio
» WJMU The Quad, award-winning radio station
» Internships in every major
The School of Art & Creative Media is a home for artists, media makers, storytellers and arts leaders. Our multidisciplinary approach gives students the benefits of traditional artistic practice across several mediums and the skills to craft creative media projects using innovative technologies. Students learn under the guidance of faculty experts in our student-run arts businesses to work for real clients and audiences within models common in arts and entertainment industries. Future arts professionals actively learn through community, school or industry internship placements. Every year there are multiple exhibitions of guest and student artists, film premiers and technology showcases.
Whether you are an inspiring art educator, art therapist or future media creator, your career begins at Millikin.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
David Neal ’20, “These Marks Are My Own”
Blue Connection Art
Gallery Collection
Perkinson Art Gallery
August 1-29
Closing Reception: August 29 | 4-6 p.m.
We are bringing our “downtown” art gallery to campus for this special Perkinson Gallery exhibition and sale. The student owned and operated Blue Connection Art Gallery will feature a broad selection of mediums and subject matter from the gallery’s collection.
SCHUMACHER: F. Schumacher and Company
Masami Kizuki, “Moonlit”
Frank Lloyd Wright: Schumacher Textiles Exhibit Nihonga Artists from the Japanese Painting Academy
Perkinson Art Gallery
September 12-November 30
Reception: October 2 | 4-6 p.m.
F. Schumacher and Company, manufacturer of wallpapers, textiles and other interior design accessories, produced a range of decorative designs by Frank Lloyd Wright. The mission of the OAD Archives, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, is to honor the past, celebrate the present and encourage the future of creative organic architecture and design through education, endorsement and promotion.
Sponsored by the Organic Architecture and Design Archives.
Robert Crowder Art Gallery
October 1-December 19
Reception: November 8 | 3-5 p.m.
Nihonga (Japanese: ) is a Japanese style of painting that typically uses mineral pigments, and occasionally ink, together with other organic pigments on silk or paper. The term was coined during the Meiji period (1868–1912) to differentiate it from its counterpart, known as Yōga ( ), or Western-style painting. The term translates to “pictures in a Japanese style.”
Sponsored by Yasu Tanano.
College Radio Day
WJMU
October 3 | All Day
College Radio Day is a celebration of college radio stations. Without college radio, artists like Public Enemy, R.E.M. or Red Hot Chili Peppers never would have broken big. College radio is a proudly noncommercial platform for artists and subjects that commercial stations won't or don't touch. Tune in to WJMU to join the party, as WJMU links with stations from around the globe to celebrate College Radio Day!
Our Freedom, Our Rights: Exploring Civil Rights in Paintings and Posters
Robert Crowder Art Gallery
February 1-March 27
This carefully curated exhibition is an introspective and retrospective view of art, both historical and contemporary, that was specifically created with American’s Civil Rights as the main theme.
Central Illinois High School Student & Educator Art Exhibition
Perkinson Art Gallery
February 2-27
Reception & Awards: February 7, 4-6 p.m.
Area high school teachers select art and media works from their most talented students and submit their own professional works for this exhibition, part of a continuing effort to showcase the talents of our young Central Illinois artists to the local community. Awards and scholarships will be presented at the reception.
Norman Rockwell
Richard Timm (1926–2016), “Timber Wolves”
Nature and Wildlife
Art Exhibition & Silent Auction
March 1-April 25
Closing Reception: March 28, 4-6 p.m.
See arts entrepreneurship in action! The student-run Blue Connection Art Gallery will be managing a silent auction of nature and wildlife art from a group of donated and specifically vetted art works for this fun and exciting event. The auction will conclude at the end of the month, and buyers will be allowed to pick up their winning bids on April 25. Details for bidding are available in the Perkinson Art Gallery or by calling 217.521.4866.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center April 29 | 6 p.m.
Millikin's Images in Motion Film Festival Annual School of Art & Creative Media Student Art Exhibition and Design Showcase
Millikin's Images in Motion Film Festival is a community event designed to showcase Millikin animators and filmmakers. Guest judges will select winners and present awards, including Motion Best in Show Award. Students will have the opportunity to discuss their work with guests. Get a sneak peek of upcoming projects from 1901 Productions, a Millikin student-run film company.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
May 1-8
Reception: May 7 | 4-6 p.m.
This show is proudly juried by faculty to be an inclusive, broadly encompassing cross-section of student work from all the majors offered within the School of Art & Creative Media. On display will be drawings, paintings, design, prints, photography and other creative media by current Millikin students.
Organized by the Blue Connection Art Gallery.
School of Music
Brian Justison Director and Professor, School of Music
About the School of Music
Regularly recognized among the best programs in the nation, Millikin’s School of Music uses a Performance Learning curriculum to provide hands-on, real-world experience in every aspect of the music field. Manage a record label. Tour with a rock band. Record in state-of-the-art studios. Connect with industry leaders at the Midwest Music Expo. Hone your performance skills on and off the stage as you receive one-on-one mentorship from our dedicated faculty.
With student-run ventures in the music industry, ample teaching opportunities and a regional music expo on campus, students get the experience and networks they need to succeed after graduation.
millikin.edu/music
Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra (MDSO)
Welcome to the MDSO’s 2025-26 season — yet another year of exciting music! We strive to embody our society’s highest ideals and foster a desire for a better understanding of the world’s greatest symphonic music through performance.
All MDSO Masterworks Concerts, with the exception of the Labor Day Pops, will be held at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Performances start at 7:30 p.m., and pre-show talks start at 6:30 p.m.
This season, MDSO is conducting a national search for a Music Director utilizing the first three Masterworks concerts to audition candidates for the position. We look forward to sharing the different leadership styles with you, our patrons, as we strive to find the best fit for your Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra.
Labor Day Pops
Dr. Neal Smith, Guest Conductor
Tickets: $10 in seated area, $8 terrace September 1 | 6 p.m. | The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater
Labor Day Pops marks the official start of the School of Music’s concert season with a family-friendly event at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater. Join us for an exciting evening of music from the theatre stage, movies and patriotic favorites.
Masterworks I: Apotheosis of the Dance
Conductor Finalist I
Dr. David Cook, clarinet
October 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Tickets: $25/$30/$35 | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
The first of three finalists for the MDSO’s music director position joins soloist Dr. David Cook for a dance-inspired program featuring Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances, Weber’s second clarinet concerto and Beethoven’s venerable Symphony No. 7. Dancing in the aisles encouraged!
Masterworks II: Symphonic Colors
Conductor Finalist II
Isidora Nojkovic, cello
November 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Tickets: $25/$30/$35 | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
The second finalist for the MDSO’s music director position joins soloist Isidora Nojkovic for a concert exploring a rich tapestry of orchestral colors. Program includes works by Edward Elgar, Bedřich Smetana and Dmitri Shostakovich.
Masterworks III: A Mosaic from Heaven and Young Artists
Conductor Finalist III
February 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Tickets: $25/$30/$35 | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
The third finalist for the MDSO’s music director position leads a concert showcasing one of the pillars in 20th-century symphonic repertoire, in Sibelius’s innovative Symphony No. 5, alongside the student winners of the School of Music’s annual Concerto/Aria Competition. Hear some of the best and brightest from the School of Music and witness the conclusion of the search for the next MDSO music director!
Masterworks IV: A German Requiem
Dr. Benjamin Hawkinson, Guest Conductor
April 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Tickets: $25/$30/$35 | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Ben Hawkinson leads the MDSO’s season finale in a choral/orchestra performance featuring the combined Millikin choirs and Opus 24. This epic, seven-movement, “requiem for the people” remains one of Brahm’s most beloved works amid his widely varied output.
Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra
April 19 | 2 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Produced in cooperation with the Millikin Community Arts Academy and the Symphony Guild of Decatur.
The concluding performance of the Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra for the 2025-26 season showcasing the talents of some of the area's best high school and middle school musicians.
Cinderella
Virginia Rogers Theatre
May 1 | 7:30 p.m.
May 2 | 7:30 p.m.
May 3 | 2 p.m.
Libretto & Music by: Pauline Viardot
English Translation by: Rachel M. Harris
Directed by: Aubrey Hawkinson
Guest Conductor: John Massaro
Co-produced by the School of Theatre & Dance, School of Music and Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra
This charming French salon opera from 1904 originally boasted prolific operatic mezzo-soprano Pauline Viardot as both its composer and librettist. Experience a Cinderella tale like you’ve never seen before with the revitalized English translation sure to appeal to a wide audience of musical theatre and opera lovers alike. Co-produced by the School of Theatre & Dance, School of Music and Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra.
Vocal Jazz Preview
OneVoice and BluBop
Perkinson Music Center, Kaeuper Hall
October 8 | 7:30 p.m.
Fall Jazz Concert
BluBop and Electric Guitar Ensemble
Perkinson Music Center, Kaeuper Hall
November 4 | 7:30 p.m.
Jazz I and OneVoice
Decatur Club
November 13 | 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and concessions will be available.
Valentine’s Gala:
Dinner and
a Show
Jazz Band I
Decatur Club
February 14 | 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner is served at 6:15 p.m.
Reservations required: 217.429.4200
Vocal Jazz Showcase
OneVoice and BluBop
Decatur Brew Works
February 27 | 7:30 p.m.
Big Band Jazz Spring Concert
Jazz Band I and Combos
Decatur Club
April 16 | 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and concessions will be available.
Jazz Bash
Lock, Stock & Barrel
May 9 | 2 p.m.
Millikin Opera Theatre: Opera Scenes
Perkinson Music Center, Kaeuper Hall
November 15 | 7:30 p.m.
Millikin Opera Workshop students perform scenes from the vast operatic repertoire. Join the students as they showcase their studies of works by Mozart, Massenet, Bernstein and more. Presented with costumes, props and set pieces, in various languages with supertitles.
Vespers
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
December 6 | 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
December 7 | 2 p.m.
Millikin’s most-beloved holiday event returns! Join us for carols, choirs and candlelight. More than 200 musicians join for this joyous musical feast. Songs from past centuries combine with familiar carols and arrangements to create a concert of seasonal warmth for the whole family.
Tickets on sale November 4
Purchase tickets online at millikin.universitytickets.com or call the Ticket Office at 217.424.6318.
Vocal Festival Finale
University Choir and the Millikin Vocal Festival Choir
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
September 29 | 4 p.m.
Free
The culmination of two days of effort from more than 200 high school students from around the region; this performance exudes energy and enthusiasm as the students are joined for a performance by the University Choir.
Fall Festival of Choirs
Collegiate Chorale and Treble Choir | 2 p.m.
University Choir | 4 p.m.
Central Christian Church
October 19
Free
The first full-length concert of the semester; each of the choirs provides a program of varied choral literature from a broad range of cultures and histories.
University Choir Tour Finale
University Choir
St. Patrick Church
January 18 | 2 p.m.
Free
The University Choir at its finest following a two-week domestic tour.
With a Voice of Singing
Treble Choir and TrueBlue Chorale
Central Christian Church
March 8 | 4 p.m.
Free
The Treble Choir and TrueBlue Choral present a boisterous program celebrating community through song.
Spring Sing
TrueBlue Chorale, Treble Choir, Collegiate Choir and University Choir
Central Christian Church
April 26 | 4 p.m.
Free
The final concert of the year featuring lighter fare performed by
University
TrueBlue Chorale, Treble Choir, Collegiate Chorale and
Choir.
MSWE I: Home Sweet Home
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
October 4 | 7:30 p.m.
Featuring: Dr. Christopher Raymond ’15, Bassoon soloist; Jazz Band 1; and Millikin Alumni
The Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble welcomes alumni back to the Millikin University band program, featuring accomplished performer Dr. Christopher Raymond, Professor of Bassoon at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
MSWE II: A Silence Haunts Me
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
November 15 | 7:30 p.m.
Featuring Opus 24
We invite the award-winning adult community choir Opus 24 to perform a piece by Jake Runestad called “A Silence Haunts Me,” based on the music and writings of Ludwig van Beethoven. Our performance explores the insatiable human drive for artistic creation and the struggle to persist despite the obstacles we face.
MSWE III: She Speaks
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
March 7 | 7:30 p.m.
Featuring: Williamsville High School Band, Aaron Gosnell, Director
In honor of Women’s History Month, we focus on works by women composers, including compelling compositions by Julie Giroux, Jennifer Jolley and Jodie Blackshaw.
MSWE IV: Our Power, Our Planet
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
April 18 | 7:30 p.m.
Featuring: Rochester High School Band, Chris Gunn, Director
For Earth Day, we present a concert that explores the power and majesty of our planet, including music by Frank Ticheli, Kait Nishimura and more.
Millikin Honor Band Festival
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
October 20 | 6 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of young talent and classic band favorites. Select high school students from across the region come together to rehearse and study with Millikin faculty and expand their musical horizons. The event concludes with a joint concert with the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble on the Kirkland Fine Arts Center stage.
Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
November 24 | 7:30 p.m.
The first performance of the Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra for the 2025-26 season, showcasing the talents of some of the area’s best high school and middle school musicians.
Produced in cooperation with the Millikin Community Arts Academy and the Symphony Guild of Decatur.
Learn. Perform. Create.
For over 100 years, Millikin University has provided music lessons to all ages. Today, the Millikin Community Arts Academy (MCAA) includes children and adults in the performing arts, visual arts, media and culture. MCAA offers summer camps, youth orchestra, music ensembles, choirs, private music lessons, painting, workshops and more!
Follow us on facebook.com/millikincaa or visit millikin.edu/mcaa to see what is available to you and your family this season.
BluBop,
Jazz Combos & Electric
Guitar Ensemble
Millikin University Quad
October 4
BluBop | 10-10:30 a.m.
Jazz Combos | 10:45-11:15 a.m.
Electric Guitar Ensemble | 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
The Homecoming tradition of outdoor performances featuring School of Music ensembles continues. Bring a lawn chair to the Quad and enjoy a front row seat.
Faculty Jazz/Alumni Jazz Jam Session
Lock Stock & Barrel
October 4 | 4-5:30 p.m.
Alumni are invited to join Millikin School of Music faculty in an afternoon jam session at our favorite watering hole.
MSWE I (with alumni) and Jazz Band
1: Home Sweet Home
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
October 4 | 7:30 p.m.
Featuring: Christopher Raymond, bassoon
The Millikin Wind Ensemble welcomes alumni to celebrate the rich history and tradition of the Millikin University band program.
Millikin Choirs Alumni Concert
Central Christian Church
October 4 | 3 p.m. | Free
Friends return from far and wide to join the Alumni Choir in concert with Millikin’s own University Choir for an afternoon of music and connection.
Music Ed Mixer*
PMC 110
October 4 | 4-5:30 pm
Millikin Homecoming Music Ed Mixer is an evening of fun, food and fellowship for the whole family! Celebrate the Millikin Music Education program with alumni, students, faculty and family as we share stories, enjoy light refreshments and join in on some joyful folk dancing!
*Not a performance
Faculty Recital Series
Faculty Series I: Impressions and Visions: A Piano Recital of Tone Poems
Kaeuper Hall
November 16 | 4 p.m.
Dr. Jun Hong “Ivan” Jiang, piano
A symbolic journey of tonal soundscapes, featuring piano music by late Romantic and early 20th-century Impressionistic virtuosos.
Faculty Series II: The Metamorphosis: Trumpet Through the Ages
Kaeuper Hall
February 22 | 4 p.m.
Dr. Chun Kong “Apollo” Lee, trumpet
Dr. Jun Hong “Ivan” Jiang, piano
Trumpet works of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern eras, celebrating the versatility and the richness of the repertoire.
Faculty Series III: Kenopsia: An Exploration of Memory Through Music
Kaeuper Hall
April 19 | 4 p.m.
Prof. Emily Venturella, soprano, with special guest, Felipe Hoyos-González
Huitaca Ensemble performs pieces from their debut album, “Kenopsia,” exploring themes of memory using live processing and the voice.
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Hollis Prize
Competition Finals
March 28 | 7:30 p.m.
Kaeuper Hall
Winner’s Recital
April 12 | 2 p.m.
Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, Ill.
Join three of Millikin’s top student performers in a recital competition like none other! Made possible by Dr. C. Kimm
Hollis ’72, the Hollis Prize represents the highest award bestowed upon a student musician enrolled at Millikin University. The winner receives a $3,000 honorarium and an opportunity to perform their program at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, Ill.
Halloween! Percussion Ensemble
Albert Taylor Theatre
October 29 | 7:30 p.m.
October 30 | 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15
Join the Millikin Percussion Ensembles for the 19th annual Halloween concerts. This all-ages, familyfriendly event of the season will take place in the infamously haunted Albert Taylor Theatre. Audience members are invited to join the ensemble in costume; best costume prizes will be awarded.
SCHOOL OF MUSIC — ENSEMBLES
Percussion Ensemble Synergy
Albert Taylor Theatre
February 21 | 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15
Percussion Ensemble Synergy showcases the distinctiveness of Millikin's interdisciplinary alliances through a collaborative concert featuring special guests.
Percussion Ensemble Premieres
Albert Taylor Theatre
April 25 | 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15
Percussion Ensemble Premieres showcases the depth and breadth of contemporary percussion chamber music through a program featuring the genre's leading composers, including premiere performances of compositions supported by donations to the Percussion Music Commission Fund.
Guitar Ensembles
Fall Concert
Perkinson Music Center, Kaeuper Hall
November 19 | 7:30 p.m.
Spring Concert
Perkinson Music Center, Kaeuper Hall
April 22 | 7:30 p.m.
Patrons Society Ticket Information
Millikin Student Engagement
Student organizations are formed and operated by currently enrolled Millikin students that have filed an interest with the University to pursue certain mutually agreed upon goals. There are student groups in every concentration at Millikin. The student organizations associated with the College of Fine Arts are listed below.
Fine Arts/ Performance
» American Choral Directors Association
» Alliance for Active Music Making
» Alpha Psi Omega
» Big Blue Productions
» Big Bluke (The Ukulele Club)
» Clarinet Association
» Dissonance A Capella
» Four Square
» Flute Society
» Guitar Club
» Jazz Education Network
» Lyrical Ammunition
» Math Club Improv
» Multicultural Voices of Praise
» Oboe/Bassoon Society
» Opera Per Tutti
» Piano Club
» Percussive Arts Society
» Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
» Polyphonix
» SAXO
» Sigma Alpha Iota
» TUBEZ!
» Un Bit Butter
» USITT Dance
» Burlesque Underground
» Gregory
» Millinettes
» Physical Graffiti
» Sapphires Dance Team
2025-2026 Season
August
August
Blue Connection Art Gallery Collection
August 1–29 | Perkinson Art Gallery
September
September
Labor Day Pops
September 1 | 6 p.m. | The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater
Frank Lloyd Wright: Schumacher Textiles Exhibit
September 12–October 31 | Perkinson Art Gallery
Cirque du Canines
September 20 | 2 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Vocal Festival Finale
September 29 | 4 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
October
October
Nihonga Artists from the Japanese Painting Academy
October 1–December 19 | Robert Crowder Art Gallery
College Radio Day
October 3 | WJMU
BluBop, Jazz Combos & Electric Guitar Ensemble
October 4 | Millikin University Quad
BluBop | 10-10:30 a.m.
Jazz Combos | 10:45-11:15 a.m.
Electric Guitar Ensemble | 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Millikin Choirs Alumni Concert
October 4 | 3 p.m. | Central Christian Church
Faculty Jazz/Alumni Jazz Jam Session
October 4 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Lock Stock & Barrel
MSWE I: Home Sweet Home
October 4 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Music Ed Mixer*
October 4 | 4-5:30 p.m. | PMC 110 *Not a performance
Vocal Jazz Preview
OneVoice and BluBop
October 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Perkinson Music Center, Kaeuper Hall
Masterworks I: Apotheosis of the Dance
October 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Virginia Rogers Theatre
October 16, 17 | 7:30 p.m.
October 18, 19 | 2 p.m.
Hollywood Revisited
October 18 | 2 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Fall Festival of Choirs
October 19 | 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. | Central Christian Church
High School Honor Band
October 20 | 6 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Halloween! Percussion Ensemble
Albert Taylor Theatre
October 29 | 7:30 p.m.
October 30 | 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
November
November
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
November 2 | 4 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Fall Jazz Concert
BluBop and Electric Guitar Ensemble
November 4 | 7:30 p.m. | Perkinson Music Center, Kaeuper Hall
Masterworks II: Symphonic Colors
November 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
The Tempest
Virginia Rogers Theatre
November 13, 14, 15 | 7:30 p.m.
November 16 | 2 p.m.
Jazz I and OneVoice
November 13 | 7:30 pm | Decatur Club
Millikin Opera Theatre: Opera Scenes
November 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Perkinson Music Center, Kaeuper Hall
MSWE II: A Silence Haunts Me
November 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Faculty Recital Series I: Impressions and Visions:
A Piano Recital of Tone Poems
November 16 | 4 p.m. | Kaeuper Hall
Guitar Ensembles Fall Concert
November 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Perkinson Music Center, Kaeuper Hall
Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra
November 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
December
December
Vespers
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
December 6 | 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
December 7 | 2 p.m.
Solstice: A Concert of Dance
Virginia Rogers Theatre
December 11, 12, 13 | 7:30 p.m.
January
University Choir Tour Finale
January 18 | 2 p.m. | St. Patrick Church
Season Calendar
February
Our Freedom, Our Rights: Exploring Civil Rights in Paintings and Posters
February 1–March 27 | Robert Crowder Art Gallery
Central Illinois High School Student & Educator Art Exhibition
February 2–27 | Perkinson Art Gallery
Masterworks III: A Mosaic from Heaven and Young Artists
February 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Ain’t Misbehavin’
February 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Valentine’s Gala: Dinner and a Show Jazz Band I
February 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Decatur Club
Percussion Ensemble Synergy
February 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Albert Taylor Theatre
Faculty Recital Series II: The Metamorphosis: Trumpet Through the Ages
February 22 | 4 p.m. | Kaeuper Hall
Vocal Jazz Showcase
OneVoice and BluBop
February 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Decatur Brew Works
March
March
Nature and Wildlife Art Exhibition & Silent Auction
March 1–April 25 | Perkinson Art Gallery
The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Virginia Rogers Theatre
March 5, 6, 7 | 7:30 p.m.
March 8 | 2 p.m.
MSWE III: She Speaks
March 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
With a Voice of Singing
March 8 | 4 p.m. | Central Christian Church
Matilda the Musical Jr.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
March 21 | 7:30 p.m.
March 22 | 2 p.m.
The Music of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit & The Rings of Power — The Concert
March 27 | 4 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
The Music of Hans Zimmer and Others — A Celebration of Film Music
March 27 | 8 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Hollis Prize — Competition Finals
March 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Kaeuper Hall
April
April
Masterworks IV: A German Requiem
April 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Holy Chicken Sandwich
Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre
April 9, 10, 11 | 7:30 p.m.
April 12 | 2 p.m.
Hollis Prize — Winner’s Recital
April 12 | 2 p.m. | Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, Ill.
Big Band Jazz Spring Concert
Jazz Bands I and Combos
April 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Decatur Club
MSWE IV: Our Power, Our Planet
April 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra
April 19 | 2 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Faculty Recital Series III: Kenopsia: An Exploration of Memory Through Music
April 19 | 4 p.m. | Kaeuper Hall
Guitar Ensembles Spring Concert
April 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Perkinson Music Center, Kaeuper Hall
Percussion Ensemble Premieres
April 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Albert Taylor Theatre
Spring Sing
April 26 | 4 p.m. | Central Christian Church
Millikin's Images in Motion Film Festival
April 29 | 6 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
May
May
Cinderella
Virginia Rogers Theatre
May 1, 2 | 7:30 p.m.
May 3 | 2 p.m.
School of Art & Creative Media Student Art
Exhibition and Design Showcase
May 1-8 | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Jazz Bash
May 9 | 2-6 p.m. | Lock, Stock & Barrel
Danny Gokey
May 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Kirkland Series
School of Theatre & Dance
School of Art & Creative Media
School of Music
MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY
College of Fine Arts
millikin.edu/artsatmillikin
arts
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS | KIRKLAND FINE ARTS CENTER