Fine Arts Events 2026–27
JOIN US THIS SEASON! In the beginning, God created. How amazing it is to think that God who created so many wonderful things also made people in God’s own image, with creative spirits that reflect the one great creative Spirit! At Northwestern, students and faculty work together to use our gifts well for God’s glory, growing in technical skill and artistry and sharing our best efforts with you, our community. Whether on stage or screen, in ensembles or solo, in a gallery or on the page, we hope our work will point you toward an encounter with the great Creator. I look forward to welcoming you this season as we present a broad variety of fine arts events to uplift and inspire!
KRISTEN BUGOS, PH.D. Chair, Department of Music & Theatre University of Northwestern – St. Paul music@unwsp.edu | 651-631-5218
Graphic Design: Trista Oberle (‘27) & Kaitlyn Harris (‘27)
PERFORMANCE VENUES
BEVERLY AND JOHN LORD KNIGHT PERFORMANCE HALL
NAZARETH CHAPEL
PATSY MILLER STUDIO THEATRE
DENLER GALLERY
Renovated inside and out, Beverly and John Lord Knight Performance Hall, within the Totino Fine Arts Center, offers an exceptional concert or theatre experience. Capacity: 1,500.
Built in 1921, the superior acoustics, marble, and stained glass windows of historic Nazareth Chapel make it an ideal setting for music recitals. Capacity: 300.
Located downstairs in the Totino Fine Arts Center, the Patsy Miller Studio serves as a black box theatre allowing for flexible staging techniques and multiple seating arrangements. Capacity: 100.
Located upstairs in the Totino Fine Arts Center, the Denler Gallery features the work of current students, as well as local and nationally-known artists through multiple exhibitions each year.
TICKETS unwtickets.com, 651-631-5151, or in-person at the UNW Ticket Office * All events subject to change * Tickets required unless otherwise noted All events, including student degree recitals, can be found at unwsp.edu/events.
15,220+ theatre tickets sold for the 2025–26 season.
300+ students participate in music ensembles.
Professional Exhibition Opening: Guy Nelson Amata Women’s Chorale, Con Brio Men’s Chorus & Jazz Ensemble Concert
Denler Gallery Free Admission October 9 | 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Knight Performance Hall October 5 | 7:30 p.m.
Northern Lights Piano Series: The Spirit of Andalusia Nazareth Chapel Free Admission October 23 | 7:00 p.m. Knight Performance Hall October 9 | 7:30 p.m. Reception following concert in Billy Graham Community Life Commons
The 2026–27 Northern Lights Piano Concert Series features UNW piano faculty, alumni, and guest artists in an exploration of Spanish and Spain-influenced piano music from the late 19th century through the present day.
Disney’s Frozen Knight Performance Hall Jennifer Hunter, director Oct. 30–31 & Nov. 5–7 | 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 & Nov. 7 | 2:30 p.m. For the first time in forever, experience the musical phenomenon that has taken the world by storm! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disney’s Frozen includes all the film’s beloved songs along with new music written exclusively for the stage.
Faculty Artist Series: Shostakovich: A Portrait Brittany Quinn, violin
Professional Exhibition Opening: Melissa Cooke Benson
Nazareth Chapel November 3 | 7:30 p.m.
Denler Gallery Free Admission November 20 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Join faculty violinist Brittany Quinn and guest artists for Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1, Five Pieces for Two Violins, and String Quartet No. 8—a compelling portrait of his lyricism, wit, intensity, and emotional depth.
Chamber Ensembles Recital Symphonic Band & UNW Orchestra Concert Knight Performance Hall November 20 | 7:30 p.m.
Nazareth Chapel Free Admission November 23 | 7:30 p.m.
THE KING IS COMING! Christmas at Northwestern Knight Performance Hall December 4 & 5 | 7:30 p.m. December 5 | 2:30 p.m. December 6 | 4:00 p.m.
A long-standing and cherished Northwestern Christmas tradition featuring UNW’s outstanding music ensembles in a traditional concert of worship with familiar songs and carols full of hope, adoration, and joy. This year’s theme celebrates Christ the King who came to earth as a child and will come again to reign forever! Hallelujah! Suitable for ages 7 and up.
Northwestern Christmas Market Billy Graham Community Life Commons Free Admission December 5 | 4:00–7:30 p.m.
UNWrap Christmas fun by purchasing handmade crafts and items made by alumni! You’ll be sure to get some of your Christmas shopping done while supporting alumni-owned businesses. Visit the market between the Saturday performances of Christmas at Northwestern.
Share the joy of Christmas at Northwestern!
Alumni & Family Christmas Party Billy Graham Community Life Commons Free Admission December 5 | 4:30–7:30 p.m. This fun, free, and festive open-house style event is perfect for the whole family. Enjoy Christmas cookies, a hot cocoa bar, fun crafts and activities, festive photo backdrops, and plenty of Christmas cheer. Register at www.unwsp.edu/events
It’s a Wonderful Life Patsy Miller Studio Jonah Smith, director December 8–12 | 7:30 p.m. December 12 | 11:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. This beloved American holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. An ensemble brings dozens of characters to the stage as idealistic George Bailey’s fateful Christmas Eve journey reveals how much he is loved.
Senior Graphic Design Show Opening Denler Gallery Free Admission January 22 | 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Northern Lights Piano Series: Between Spain and France Nazareth Chapel Free Admission January 22 | 7:00 p.m. UNW piano faculty, alumni, and guest artists
Student Concerto-Aria Competition Nazareth Chapel Free Admission January 30 | 2:30 p.m. Reception following in Nazareth Great Room
Faculty Artist Series: Emily Roth, organ Calvary Church, Roseville Free Admission February 2 | 7:30 p.m.
Oklahoma! Knight Performance Hall Jennifer Hunter, director February 19–20 & 25–27 | 7:30 p.m. February 20 & 27 | 2:30 p.m. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration set the standards of modern musical theatre. Set in the American West, Curly and Laurey’s romantic journey unfolds alongside comic adventures, embracing hope, determination, and the promise of a new land.
UNW Orchestra, Symphonic Band & Jazz Ensemble Concert: All that Jazz Knight Performance Hall March 2 | 7:30 p.m.
Animation & Illustration Showcase Opening Denler Gallery Free Admission March 19 | 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Opera Workshop Knight Performance Hall March 19–20 | 7:30 p.m.
Faculty Artist Series: Pavia Wind Quintet Featuring UNW Faculty Member Lindsey Thompson, oboe Nazareth Chapel March 16 | 7:30 p.m. Join Pavia Wind Quintet for a program exploring the joys of nature! Music will include Samuel Barber’s Summer Music and Eric Ewazen’s Roaring Fork. They will be joined by the incomparable Kate Mariana Brown on piano for David Maslanka’s Blue Mountain Meadow.
UNW Dance Theatre Ensemble Concert Knight Performance Hall April 2 | 7:30 p.m. An evening of concert dance featuring original choreography by dance faculty and artistic director Sarah Pieper and co-director Libby Johnson, alongside select student works performed by University of Northwestern Dance Theatre and special guest artists.
The Five16 Film Festival is a 20+ year tradition for current University of Northwestern students, showcasing original, purpose-driven films while celebrating creativity, storytelling, and emerging filmmakers through inspiring cinematic excellence and community.
Amata Women’s Chorale & Con Brio Men’s Chorus Concert Knight Performance Hall April 19 | 7:30 p.m.
Northern Lights Piano Series:
In the Circle of Manuel de Falla Nazareth Chapel Free Admission April 23 | 7:00 p.m.
Uncle Vanya Patsy Miller Studio April 15–17 | 7:30 p.m. April 17 & 24 | 2:30 p.m. April 21–24 | 7:30 p.m.
Five16 Film Festival Knight Performance Hall April 9 | 7:00 p.m.
Sonia and her uncle Vanya live quietly on the family farm until her ailing father and his charismatic wife arrive, upending their lives. This striking translation explores love, resentment, and unlived lives through Chekhov’s enduring masterpiece.
Senior Studio Art Exhibition Opening
Northwestern Choir Ireland Tour Bon Voyage Concert
Denler Gallery Free Admission April 23 | 5:00–7:00 p.m.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church St. Anthony Village May 2 | 4:00 p.m.
Symphonic Band & UNW Orchestra with Concerto-Aria Winners Concert
Chamber Ensembles Recital Nazareth Chapel Free Admission April 26 | 7:30 p.m.
Knight Performance Hall May 4 | 7:30 p.m. featuring student soloists & the music of Star Wars
Jazz Ensemble Concert Nazareth Great Room April 30 | 7:30 p.m. Join the UNW Jazz Ensemble for a delightful evening of live music and refreshments, all included with your ticket!
One Act Play Festival Patsy Miller Studio May 5–8 | 7:30 p.m. May 8 | 2:30 p.m. Join us for one act plays directed by Advanced Directing students.
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MUSIC & THEATRE MAJORS AND MINORS
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Bachelor of Music Education (K–12 Instrumental or Vocal) LAKE JOHANNA
Bachelor of Music in Performance (Instrumental, Piano or Vocal) Bachelor of Music in Composition Bachelor of Arts/Science in Music Bachelor of Arts/Science in Theatre (Theatre Selectives, Musical Theatre, or Dance Concentration) Composition Minor
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Dance Minor Music Minor
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Songwriting Minor
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Theatre Minor
MUSIC ENSEMBLES Northwestern Choir
UNW Orchestra
Amata Women’s Chorale
Symphonic Band
Con Brio Men’s Chorus
Jazz Ensemble
Opera Workshop
Chamber Ensembles
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SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS OCT. 31, 2026 (Theatre only) NOV. 21, 2026 (Music only) FEB. 15, 2027 (Music only) FEB. 27, 2027 (Music & Theatre)
LITTLE LAKELEGEND JOHANNA
1. Totino Fine Arts Center Knight Performance Hall Patsy Miller Studio Theatre Denler Gallery 2. Nazareth Hall 3. Nazareth Chapel
Learn more here!
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unwsp.edu/music-theatre UNW is accredited by National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the principal United States accreditor for higher education in music.
4. Billy Graham Commons 5. Riley Hall 6. Berntsen Library 7. Powerhouse
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unwsp.edu/arts
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