DePauw School of Music opens ArtsFest 2018 Sunday with gala concert

Students, faculty and staff campuswide will join in collaboration and celebration of DePauw University's 17th annual ArtsFest, Oct. 28--Nov. 4.

A gala concert Sunday, Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. in the Green Center's Kresge Auditorium, featuring all of the School of Music's major student ensembles -- band, choirs, jazz ensemble and orchestra -- will open the eight-day festival.

DePauw University invites the community to the gala opening concert of ArtsFest 2018, which includes all of the School of Music's major student ensembles -- band, choirs, jazz ensemble and orchestra. The 4 p.m. Sunday program also marks the DePauw debut of the school's new choral director, Eric Schmidt, (far left) with DePauw Chamber Singers. General admission is $5. Tickets for seniors, youth and all students are free.

Inspired by the 2018 theme "Art and Horizons," works to be presented on the program, which will run about an hour in length, will range from a swinging Little Big Band arrangement of Bob Meyer's "Artscape" to the combined University Choirs' performance of Jake Runestad's "We Can Mend the Sky."

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's symphonic tour de force, "Capriccio Espagnol," performed by the University Orchestra will conclude Sunday's concert, which also features virtuoso cadenzas by concertmaster Katie Allen, principal clarinetist Natalia Fumero, flutist Riley Bernardi and harpist Gabrielle Logan.

"The word 'horizon' has a very personal connotation for me this year," offered Eric Schmidt, the School of Music's new choral director, who recently arrived in Greencastle from Osnabruck, Germany, via Salt Lake City, where he completed his doctoral degree. "I left my familiar territory and moved to a different state, which to me was -- and in a big way still is -- a foreign part of this country that I now call home. So, I could not have chosen a more fitting theme for my first appearance with the DePauw Choirs, as I am excited to explore what this adventure holds for me and my students."

Art Attack, a family-friendly event for children of all ages, will precede Sunday's concert performance from 1:45-3:45 p.m.

Several student organizations and individuals plan to contribute participatory programs to the free, fun-filled afternoon in the Green Center's Great Hall, which will include hands-on activities such as a performance workshop, acting games, radio recording, photo booth, make-your-own instruments and custom balloons, in addition to a drum circle and instrument petting zoo.

General admission to Sunday's ArtsFest opening gala is $5. Tickets for seniors, youth and all students are free thanks to season sponsors Judson and Joyce Green. To obtain tickets online, visit depauw.edu/music. For personal assistance, the venue's box office also is open from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 90 minutes prior to each ticketed performance at the Green Center (605 S. College Ave.).