Notre Dame College Performing Arts programs are showcasing its choir, band, dance and theatre programs in a yearlong series of community performances.
The schedule includes programs for high school performing artists and partnership productions alongside other organizations, as well as showcasing student and faculty composers and singers, instrumentalists, dancers and actors studying at the College. The majority of these events are free and open to the public. The complete calendar for fall 2022, spring 2023 and summer 2023 concerts, plays, recitals, marching band performances and other activities follow:
Fall 2022
- The first of three free piano concerns by Irwin Shung Saturday, September 3, Christ the King Chapel. Shung, who has earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts, presents his first recital and lecture will conduct a recital and lecture on the “24 Preludes and Fugues of the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II,” by J.S. Bach. Shung is collaborative pianist, applied piano instructor and adjunct instructor in music history at the College.
- Ensemble Theatre’s “Clybourne Park:” Friday, September 23, through Sunday, September 25; Friday, September 30, through Sunday, October 2; and Friday, October 7, through Sunday, October 9. Friday and Saturday programs take place at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays are at 2:30 p.m., all in the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are between $10 and $33. “Clybourne Park” has won both a Pulitzer Prize and a TONY Award for Best Play. The production is a satirical response to race politics in Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.”
- Hillcrest Concert Band Fall Performance: Sunday, September 25, at 3 p.m. in Regina Auditorium.
- Homecoming 2022 Falcon Marching Band and Alumni Game: Saturday, October 1. A special pregame will take place at 11:45 a.m., then kickoff is at noon, all on Mueller Field.
- Heights Youth Theatre Fall Production will present “Matilda: The Musical:” Friday, October 7, through Sunday, October 9; and Friday, October 14, through Sunday, October 16. Productions will be conducted on Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., all in Regina Auditorium. The College has partnered with Heights Youth Theatre to premiere this musical based on the children’s book and motion picture, “Matilda.”
- “Apollo’s Fire” Masterclass: Tuesday, October 11, at 7 p.m. in Christ the King Chapel. “Apollo’s Fire” is a voice masterclass put on by the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra. All local students are welcome to join.
- Falcon Marching Band Day: Saturday, October 22, at noon on Mueller Field. Local Cleveland high school bands will collaborate with the Notre Dame band for a joint halftime performance at the College’s football game.
- Irwin Shung’s “Piano Recital #2:” Sunday, October 23, at 2 p.m. in Christ the King Chapel. This is an encore recital and lecture in which Chung will present on the “24 Preludes and Fugues of the Well-tempered Clavier, Book II,” by J.S. Bach.
- Ensemble Theatre presents “Describe the Night:” Friday, October 28, through Sunday, October 30; Friday, November 4, through Sunday, November 6; and Friday, November 11, through Sunday, November 13. Performances on Fridays and Saturdays are at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays take place at 2:30 p.m., all in the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are between $10 and $33. Ensemble Theatre will continue its 2022-2023 season with this epic play, which is set in Russia over the expansion of 90 years. The play depicts the stories of eight individuals connected by history, myth and conspiracy theories.
- Notre Dame Composers Halloween Concert: Monday, October 31, at 8 p.m. in Regina Auditorium. College musicians will debut original compositions to celebrate this time of year. Audience members who are in costumes will receive Halloween refreshments.
- Lauren Hinkle’s Trumpet Recital: Wednesday, November 2, at 7 p.m. in Christ the King Chapel. Notre Dame’s adjunct trumpet and music instructor, Lauren Hinkle, will perform.
- New Theatre Play Festival: Thursday, November 17, at 7 p.m.; Friday, November 18; and Saturday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, November 20, at 2 p.m., all in Regina Auditorium. The theme of this play festival is “We Are Citizens of the World.” Notre Dame students will be paired with local and renowned playwrights to celebrate their world premiere works.
- Fall Instrumental Showcase: Thursday, December 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Regina Auditorium. The College’s Marching Band, String Ensemble and Jazz Combo will present their annual fall performances.
- Christmas Choral Concert: Friday, December 2. Tree lighting, carols and hot chocolate begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Administration Building foyer, and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in Christ the King Chapel. This is an annual tradition for the College choirs to kick off the holiday season.
- Fall Dance Showcase: Friday, December 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Regina Auditorium. Students who attend these free fall 2022 dance programs will receive a care package to prepare for Finals Week.
Spring 2023
- Heights Youth Theatre Winter Production of “The Drowsy Chaperone:” Friday, January 13, through Sunday, January 15; and Friday, January 20, through Sunday, January 22. Performances will occur on Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., all in Regina Auditorium. The College continues its partnership with Heights Youth Theatre through the 2022-2023 season.
- “The Lost Chord: Forgotten Treasures of British Songs” by Edward Vogel, baritone, and Mark Laseter, piano: Thursday, January 19, at 7 p.m. in Christ the King Chapel. The performers will team up to present a recital of Britain’s most beloved composers: Arthur Sullivan, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Rebecca Clarke and folksong arrangements by Benjamin Britten.
- Flute Day: Saturday, January 28, from 1-7 p.m. in Regina Auditorium. Local high school and college-aged students are welcome. The day will consist of ensemble rehearsals and masterclasses, among others. Attendees will receive a meal and T-shirt. Although this event is free, registration is required.
- Irwin Shung’s “Piano Recital #3:” Sunday, February 5, at 2 p.m. in Christ the King Chapel. Shung will conduct his final recital and lecture on the “24 Preludes and Fugues of the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II,” by J.S. Bach.
- Composers: “I LOVE YOU:!” Tuesday, February 14, at 7:30 p.m. in Regina Auditorium. The College’s own composers have put together a Valentine’s Day concert.
- Ensemble Theatre’s “The River:” Friday, February 17, through Sunday, February 19; Friday, February 24, through Sunday, February 26; and Friday, March 3, through Sunday, March 5. Productions are on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., all in the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are between $10 and $33. Additional details are forthcoming.
- High School Honor Choir Festival: Friday, February 17; and Saturday, February 18. The College will present its first annual High School Honors Festival. Rehearsals will take place all day Friday and Saturday, and the joint concert will be presented Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., all in Christ the King Chapel.
- High School Honor Band Festival: Friday, February 24; and Saturday, February 25. The Wind Symphony will celebrate their fourth annual High School Honors Festival. Rehearsals will occur throughout the day Friday and Saturday. A joint performance with the Notre Dame Band will be on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., all in Regina Auditorium.
- Chance Branham’s Senior Composition Recital: Sunday, March 12, at 7 p.m. in Regina Auditorium. Chance Branham, a student at the College, will present his senior composition.
- Spring Theatre Production: Thursday, March 30, at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 2, at 2 p.m., all in Regina Auditorium. Information will be forthcoming.
- Spring Dance Showcase: Tuesday, April 11; and Wednesday, April 12, both at 7:30 p.m. in Regina Auditorium.
- Spring Choral Concert: Friday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. in Christ the King Chapel. This annual performance features Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, faculty soloists and guest artists.
- Spring Instrumental Showcase: Friday, April 21; and Saturday, April 22, both at 7:30 p.m. in Regina Auditorium. Notre Dame’s Wind Symphony, String Ensemble and Jazz Combo provides their annual spring showcase, which will feature guest composers, conductors, world premieres and joint performances. The Hillcrest Concert Band becomes a part of this team on Friday night, and a local high school band will join on Saturday night.
- Performing Arts Departmental Showcase: Friday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. in Regina Auditorium. This event is $15 for adults and $10 for children. The College’s choirs, bands, dance and theatre programs come together for the first annual showcase with the entire department.
Summer 2023
- Heights Youth Theatre Spring Production of “Bye Bye Birdie:” Thursday, May 18; and Friday, May 19, both at 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 20, at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 21, at 2 p.m., all in Regina Auditorium. This will be the conclusion of Heights Youth Theatre’s 2022-2023 season.
- Ensemble Theatre “The Light:” Friday, May 26, through Sunday, May 28; Friday, June 2, through Sunday, June 4; and Friday, June 9, through Sunday, June 11. Performances will take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., all in the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are between $10 and $33. Details are forthcoming.
September 2022
Kimberly Krozser, ’17, contributed to this article.
About Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts college in South Euclid committed to teaching students how to make a good living and live a good life. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922, the College offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master’s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online. For more information, visit NotreDameCollege.edu.