School of Music Concert Calendar
All of our School of Music concerts are free. Registration for these events is encouraged for attendance tracking and marketing purposes. However, printing the e-ticket is not required. Proceeds from donations promote talented music students via scholarships and support our department's general operations. For event information, contact the School of Music office at (904) 620-2961.
With more than 16,000 students taking classes and many scheduled events for the public, things can get pretty busy at UNF, especially weekdays. Parking regulations are strictly enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week, first for safety and efficiency, but also to respect students, faculty and staff who have purchased annual or term parking permits. If you are attending music events at UNF, you must purchase a daily virtual permit from the Pay-by-Plate kiosks located on the first and third floors of Building 44, Fine Arts Center Parking Garage. In combination with the kiosks, a program known as Flowbird has been added to create the most efficient and beneficial parking system for our campus community. This program will give you the convenient opportunity to pay for your virtual parking permit online. To purchase, download the free Flowbird mobile app on your smart phone or visit flowbirdapp.com. Parking permits for University guests are required from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday. No permit is required from 5 p.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Monday unless there is a special event on campus. If you have any questions, please contact Parking and Transportation Services at (904) 620-2815.
To request a printed calendar or to be added to our monthly e-mail newsletter, contact Courtney Diaz. Events are subject to change without notice. Please check the online calendar the day of your event for cancellations or changes in time or venue. For questions concerning an event, contact the School of Music office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (904) 620-2961.
Subscribe to the School of Music YouTube page for a replay of concerts and student recitals!
Calendar of Events

36th Annual Great American Jazz Series presents: Pianist and Grammy Award-winning composer, Steven Feifke with UNF JE1 and Douglas Anderson SOTA JE1.
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Lazzara Performance Hall - 7:30 PM
"Steven Feifke (American pianist, composer, arranger/orchestator and conductor) just brought home the GRAMMY Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble album. It is a historic first-time win for Feifke, who becomes the youngest ever winner in the category’s six decade existence. No one — not Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie — won it sooner." (stevenfeifkemusic.com)
JB Scott, artistic director, UNF JE1 director

Opera Workshop Performances
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Deana Barone, director

Lawson Ensemble
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 3:00 PM
Performing works by Beethoven and others.

Cummer Family Foundation Chamber Music Series presents: Daniel Adam Maltz, fortepiano
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
"Daniel Adam Maltz is a fortepianist based in Vienna, Austria. He is in demand worldwide with 50+ tour dates per year and hosts Classical Cake, a podcast about Viennese classical music and culture. Daniel specializes in Wiener Klassik — Viennese Classicism — especially the works of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. He performs on the Viennese fortepianos of their time" (danieladammaltz.com).
Dr. James Hall, artistic director

Lapins/Lee Tuba Recital
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM

UNF Wind Symphony and Concert Band present: Salute to America
Friday, October 13, 2023
Lazzara Performance Hall - 7:30 PM
Performing music by Gordon Jacob, Dwayne Milburn, and Tom Davoren.
Dr. Erin Bodnar, conductor

UNF Percussion presents: PULSES Fall Concert
Friday, October 20, 2023
Andrew A. Robinson Theater - 6:30 PM
Dr. Andrea Venet, director

Fall Choral Showcase
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 3:00 PM
Featuring the UNF choral ensembles and select soloists.
Megan Tatro, MM student conductor
Dr. Cara Tasher, conductor, director of choral studies

Jazz Combo Night
Monday, October 23, 2023
Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Lynne Arriale, director

UNF Orchestra presents: Beethoven Pastoral Symphony and Vivaldi Trumpet Concerto
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Andrew A. Robinson Theater - 7:30 PM
Featuring the Miami Arts Studio Orchestra and Dr. Randy Tinnin, trumpet.
Vivian E. Gonzalez, conductor, Miami Arts Studio Orchestra
Dr. Simon Shiao, conductor, UNF Orchestra

UNF Faculty Recital: Dr. Andrea Venet, percussion
Monday, October 30, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM

Music Tech Ensemble Concert
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Andrew A. Robinson Theater - 8:00 PM
Michael Taylor, director

Cummer Family Foundation Chamber Music Series presents: Jordan Rutter-Covatto, countertenor and Tyson Deaton, piano
Friday, November 3, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Jordan Rutter-Covatto is an American countertenor based in New York City. Rutter-Covatto’s practice combines virtuosic vocal technique with method acting processes and Baroque gesture to create performances lauded as “riveting … frightening to behold” (Opera News, The Turn of the Screw, 1/5/20) and “[t]he best operatic moments” (WQXR, Three Way, 6/16/17).
THE WANDERERS is a recital project that deconstructs the 19th-Century German concept of “Der Wanderer” by viewing it through the lens of immigrant diasporas. When we depart our homeland, what are we in search of? What do we leave behind? Are we pursuing dreams that will someday be attainable, or can we only hope to create a better future for those who come after us? Song cycles by 20th- and 21st-Century composers alongside selections of Franz Schubert (1797-1828) investigate the answers to these questions and what it means to wander the earth in search of home. Featuring works by Cung Tiền, Juliana Hall, Aribert Reimann, and Randall Eng.
Dr. James Hall, artistic director

UNF Orchestra in the Community
Saturday, November 4, 2023
All Saints Episcopal Church in San Marco - 4:00 PM
Dr. Simon Shiao, conductor

36th Annual Great American Jazz Series presents: 35th Anniversary
UNF JE1 CD Release Concert
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Lazzara Performance Hall - 7:30 PM
Featuring music and artists from the recording with UNF JE1.
JB Scott, artistic director, UNF JE1 director

Wellness Day for Musicians
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - starting at 9:00 AM
Join us for a rejuvenating day of self-care with wellness sessions focused on improving your body, mind and musicianship! Learn how to balance your mental health and relax your body with yoga and body mapping techniques, how to overcome performance anxiety, and how to best care for your instrument.
This event is free and open to the public. Register below.
Dr. Sarah Jane Young, coordinator

UNF Wind Symphony and Concert Band present: A Carnival of Animals
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Lazzara Performance Hall - 7:30 PM
Performing music by Karel Husa, Holly Harrison, Viet Cuong, and Haley Woodrow.
Dr. Erin Bodnar, conductor

UNF Opera Theater presents: Hansel and Gretel
Friday, November 17, 2023 - 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 19, 2023 - 3:00 PM
Andrew A. Robinson Theater
Composer, Engelbert Humperdinck; Librettist, Adelheid Wette
Curtis Tucker, conductor
Dr. John Daugherty, director

jemFest
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:00 PM
Jacksonville Electroacoustic Music Festival (jemFEST) returns featuring Grammy-Award winning performer, Nick Photinos. Special thanks to the Eisen Experiential Grant.
Dr. Joshua Tomlinson, director

Jazz Combo Night
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Andrew A. Robinson Theater - 7:30 PM
Lynne Arriale, director

36th Annual Great American Jazz Series presents: Swing into the Holidays!
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Lazzara Performance Hall - 7:30 PM
UNF jazz ensembles performing Christmas and holiday big band jazz.
JB Scott, artistic director, UNF JE1 director

A Choral Christmas in Ponte Vedra
Friday, December 1, 2023
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall - 7:00 PM
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall celebrates the season with an evening of holiday music, welcoming choirs from University of North Florida. Featuring excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, traditional carols and selections from the Great American Songbook, family and friends alike can sing along with their favorite Christmas carols.
Dr. Cara Tasher, director of choral studies

MESSIAH
Sunday, December 3, 2023
St. Paul's by-the-Sea - 4:00 PM
UNF Chamber Singers, Lawson Ensemble and Friends.
Sachiko Frampton, collaborative keyboard pianist
Dr. Cara Tasher, conductor

Music Tech Student Concert
Friday, December 3, 2023*
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:00 PM
Featuring original works by students created in the Electronic Music Production Techniques course.
Dr. Joshua Tomlinson, director
*Note: This concert was originally scheduled for 12/8/23.

Student Chamber Music Recital
Monday, December 4, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Dr. Erin Bennett, coordinator

Piano Studio Recital
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Featuring the students of Dr. Erin Bennett, Dr. Gary Smart and Dr. Michael Mastronicola.

Opera Workshop Performances
Thursday, December 7, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Deana Barone, director

A Cozy Choral Christmas
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd - 5:00 PM
Dr. Cara Tasher, director

UNF Faculty Recital: Classic Jazz Greatest Hits
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Dr. Gary Smart, Dr. Marc Dickman, Dr. Bill Prince and friends perform the music of Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Bix Beiderbecke, Clarence Williams, The Dukes of Dixieland, Sidney Bechet, Dave Tough, Jelly Roll Morton, Kid Ory, Jack Teagarden, King Oliver, and others!
Dr. Marc Dickman, coordinator

PROJECT Trio
Wednesday, January 10, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
"PROJECT Trio is a dynamic and and innovative music group known for their genre-blending performances and captivating stage presence. The trio pushes the boundaries of traditional chamber music with their unique fusion of classical, jazz, hip-hop, and world music influences". (whatisproject.org)
Dr. Nick Curry, coordinator

Jacksonville Cello Workshop
Friday and Saturday, January 19-20, 2024
UNF Fine Arts Center - All day
Dr. Nick Curry, director

African Roots: UNF, FSCJ and DASOTA Choral Programs
Friday, January 26, 2023
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 6:00 PM
Dr. Michael Barrett, guest conductor (University of Pretoria)
Sachiko Frampton, collaborative pianist
Dr. Cara Tasher, conductor, director of choral studies

UNF School of Music Auditions
Saturday, January 27, 2023
UNF Fine Arts Center - All Day

Cummer Family Foundation Chamber Music Series presents: Carlos Enrique Santelli, tenor and Denise Wright, piano
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Dr. James Hall, artistic director
A winner of the 2018 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, tenor Carlos Enrique Santelli is a recent graduate of Los Angeles Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program.

2024 UNF Opera Aria Competition
Saturday February 3, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 5:00 PM
Following a closed initial round, the public finale will be a gala-style concert presenting the competition's finalists and will feature a panel of visiting judges. Scholarship prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place finishes. Previous Aria Competition winners have gone on to attend elite graduate programs and national festivals.

Koger-Matteson Jazz Festival
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Lazzara Performance Hall - All day
Middle and high school jazz ensembles perform throughout the day for feedback from the UNF jazz faculty. The event concludes with a performance by the UNF Jazz Ensemble 1 with featured guest artists/clinicians Tim Hagans and Jon Irabagon, followed by an awards ceremony.
Dr. Clarence Hines, director

36th Annual Great American Jazz Series presents: Trumpeter and composer Tim Hagans and saxophonist Jon Irabagon, with a tribute to the Stan Kenton Orchestra.
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Lazzara Performance Hall - 7:30 PM
Featuring UNF JE1
J.B. Scott, artistic director, UNF JE1 director

UNF Orchestra Annual Concerto Showcase Concert
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Andrew A. Robinson Theater - 7:30 PM
Dr. Simon Shiao, conductor

UNF Concert Band Outdoor Concert
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
On the UNF Green (weather permitting) - 5:00 PM
Dr. Erin Bodnar, conductor

Valentine Wishes in Brass
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Performing romantic music for brass soloists featuring Dr. Randy Tinnin, Dr. Marc Dickman and Dr. Gary Smart.

UNF SOM Auditions
Saturday, February 17, 2024
UNF Fine Arts Center - All day

UNF Choral Program Honors the Diaspora
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 3:00 PM
UNF Choral ensembles with Lavonya Johnson, Megan Tatro and special guest alumnus Dr. Emorja Roberson.
Sachiko Frampton, collaborative pianist
Dr. Cara Tasher, conductor

Jazz Combo Night
Monday, February 19, 2024
Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Lynne Arriale, director

UNF Wind Symphony presents: In the Spotlight
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Lazzara Performance Hall - 7:30 PM
Featuring the winner of the 2024 UNF Wind Symphony Concerto Competition and Oakleaf High School Wind Ensemble.
Dr. Erin Bodnar, conductor

Lawson Ensemble with pianist Yukino Miyake
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 3:00 PM
The first prize winner of the 2016 Los Angeles Liszt International Compeition, Yukino Miyake has performed as a collaborative pianist with musicians from several orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Paris National Opera.

UNF SOM Auditions
Saturday, March 2, 2024
UNF Fine Arts Center - All day

36th Annual Great American Jazz Series presents: Composers Forum featuring drummer and composer Dennis Mackrel with UNF JE1
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Lazzara Performance Hall - 7:30 PM
J.B. Scott, artistic director, UNF JE1 director

UNF Percussion presents: Pléïades Spring Concert
Friday, March 8, 2024
Andrew A. Robinson Theater - 6:30 PM
Dr. Andrea Venet, director

Violin and Harp Duo Concert
Monday, March 11, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Principal Harpist Kayo Ishimaru of the Jacksonville Symphony and Dr. Simon Shiao team up for a special violin and harp duo concert on March 11, 2024. Works on the program include the Fantaisie by Camille Saint-Saens, Meditation from Thais by Jules Massenet, as well as arrangements for harp and violin by Astor Piazzolla, Leonard Cohen and Arvo Part.
Born in Osaka, Japan, Kayo Ishimaru attended the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris where she graduated with the Premier Prix in 1983. She Joined the Jacksonville Symphony in 1987.
Dr. Simon Shiao, coordinator

Cummer Family Foundation Chamber Music Series presents: Riley Lee, Shakuhachi flute
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Riley Lee was the first non-Japanese to attain the rank of 'dai shihan' or Grand Master, and now is a consummate teacher, performer and collaborator with other musicians of all genres.
Dr. James Hall, artistic director

NuMix Concert
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 6:30 PM
Mixed chamber ensembles performing music composed in teh last 50 years.
Dr. Erin Bodnar and Dr. Andrea Venet, directors

Jazz Combo Night
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Andrew A. Robinson Theater - 7:30 PM
Lynne Arriale, director

UNF Percussion presents: Guest artist, Oliver Xu
Friday, March 29, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Juilliard alumnus Oliver Xu is internationally recognized as a solo performer who advocates for contemporary music.
Dr. Andrea Venet, director

Cummer Family Foundation Chamber Music Series presents: Amanda Lynn Bottoms, mezzo-soprano, and Denise Wright, piano
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
"The richly vibrant, deeply expressive voice of Bottoms, her opulent sound blooming...stunning vocal beauty and absolute sincerity of expression" - Chicago Classical Review
Dr, James Hall, artistic director

Music Tech Ensemble Concert
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Andrew A. Robinson Theater - 8:00 PM
Michael Taylor, director

UNF SOM Auditions
Saturday, April 6, 2024
UNF Fine Arts Center - All day

MidSpring Sing
Sunday, April 7, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 3:00 PM
UNF choral ensembles and select soloists.
Megan Tatro, MM student conductor
Sachiko Frampton, collaborative pianist
Dr. Cara Tasher, director of choral studies

36th Annual Great American Jazz Series presents: JE1 Plays the Music of JE1
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Lazzara Performance Hall - 7:30 PM
J.B. Scott, artistic director, UNF JE1 director

UNF Percussion presents: Spring Showcase
Friday, April 12, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 6:30 PM
Dr. Andrea Venet, director

UNF Choral Ensembles and the Lawson Ensemble
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM

UNF Wind Symphony and UNF Concert Band present: Athena
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Lazzara Performance Hall - 7:30 PM
Performing music by Sarah Griego and Stacy Garrop.
Dr. Erin Bodnar, conductor

Music Tech Student Concert
Monday, April 22, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:00 PM
Featuring original works by students created in the Audio for Media Applicaiton course.
Dr. Joshua Tomlinson, director

UNF Orchestra Concert presents: Spring Dances
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Lazzara Performance Hall - 7:30 PM
Music for ballet, waltzes and tangos by Copland, Tchaikovsky and Marquez.
Dr. Simon Shiao, conductor

Piano Playoff
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Dr. Erin Bodnar, director

Opera Workshop Performances
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 7:30 PM
Deana Barone, director

Performance Lab: School of Music Honors Recital
Friday, April 26, 2024
Lazzara Performance Hall - 12:00 PM
Dr. John Daugherty, coordinator

UNF Opera Theater Spring Presentation*
Friday, April 26 - 7:30 PM
Sunday, April 28 - 3:00 PM
Andrew A. Robinson Theater
Kevin Fitzgerald, conductor
Dr. John Daugherty, director
*Title to be revealed