This year's Eastern Mennonite University/Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival Gala Concert, themed Arise, celebrates the beauty of resilience in overcoming hardship and the joy and peace found in community. The concert will feature tap dance, jazz, singing, and the grand finale from one of the most powerful and moving musical masterworks of all time, Gustav Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony. Broadway tap dancer/singer/actor Izaiah Montaque Harris and 2024 Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Voice Competition finalist Tina Hashemi will team up with the EMU Jazz Big Band to present a new narrative suite that tells the story of moving from loneliness to the joy of community through dance and music. In addition to the gala, guest artist Izaiah Montaque Harris will perform programs for over 1,000 K-8th grade students throughout the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County school system in conjunction with the Kennedy Center sponsored arts education non-profit, Any Given Child – Shenandoah Valley, which is dedicated to making the arts accessible to students throughout the region. The concert is free with a $10-$20 suggested donation. ... read more about In The News: Thoughts from EMU’s Gala Concert Directors from Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival
Music
Chamber Singers to represent North America at international gathering
Hymnal sing-through to raise funds for May 2025 trip Sing-through of Voices TogetherWhere: Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building, 1181 Smith Ave., HarrisonburgWhen: 7-11 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6 | 9 a.m.-9 ... read more about Chamber Singers to represent North America at international gathering
Popular music minor launches this fall
A new minor in popular music is launching this fall at EMU. The minor provides an accessible way for students interested in music, but who might lack the formal training ... read more about Popular music minor launches this fall
EMU to host 32nd Annual Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival
Dubbed “a jewel in Harrisonburg’s crown” by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the 32nd Annual Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival—a program of Eastern Mennonite University—will run from June 9-16, 2024. ... read more about EMU to host 32nd Annual Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival
ACE Festival celebrates scholarly research, creative arts
Earlier this month, as EMU students Madelynn Hamm, Vanessa Gardiner and Aja Laun pieced together the slides for their ACE Festival presentation, they received some exciting news. The Smithsonian Institute ... read more about ACE Festival celebrates scholarly research, creative arts
Senior Maggie Garber McClary set to become first music and peacebuilding grad
After her first two semesters at EMU, Maggie Garber McClary, who was then undecided in her major, had an idea for a program that would combine the two areas she ... read more about Senior Maggie Garber McClary set to become first music and peacebuilding grad
Chamber Singers return from spring break tour
Sixteen concerts in eight days… That’s how the 19 members of the EMU Chamber Singers spent their spring break. From March 2 to 9, they performed at venues in Washington, ... read more about Chamber Singers return from spring break tour
David Berry and Friends concert features violinist for Beyoncé, Jay-Z
Date: Friday, March 15Time: 7 p.m.Location: Martin ChapelAdmission: Free (suggested $10 donation) EMU’s piano virtuoso David Berry is gathering his friends for a celebration of music and community. And, he’s ... read more about David Berry and Friends concert features violinist for Beyoncé, Jay-Z
Chamber Singers release spring tour schedule
The EMU Chamber Singers are hitting the road for spring break with stops around the Washington, D.C., region and throughout central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. The group has released programming ... read more about Chamber Singers release spring tour schedule
Junior vocalist Reah Clymer, senior clarinetist Luke Haynes win Concerto/Aria Competition
Musicians will perform with orchestra at its spring concert Mezzo-soprano Reah Clymer and clarinetist Luke Haynes saw their years of hard work and countless hours of practice pay off on ... read more about Junior vocalist Reah Clymer, senior clarinetist Luke Haynes win Concerto/Aria Competition