Contact us

Kathy Benischek, staff assistant
Department of Music
(402) 465-2269
kmb [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (kmb[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu)
Nebraska Wesleyan University
5000 Saint Paul Avenue
Lincoln, NE 68504

Music Performances

NWU Liana Sandin Opera Series Presents: Gian-Carlo Menotti's "The Telephone"

Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m.

O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts
FREE – no reservation required

Two young lovers, Lucy and Ben, are caught in a classic love triangle – except that Ben’s competition is not another man, it is the relentless ringing of Lucy’s telephone.  He considers cutting the telephone line so he can propose to her, but finally hits on a more creative solution.  Please join us for Menotti’s delightful comedic one-act opera, sung in English.

Spain, Adjacent: Lincoln Civic Orchestra

Sunday, April 14 at 4 p.m.

O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts
FREE – no reservation required

The Lincoln Civic Orchestra concludes their season with music mostly from Spain and Latin America. Manuel De Falla’s suite El sombrero de tres picos comes from the 1919 ballet of the same name. Those who have heard The Girl from Ipanema will be familiar with the style of Brazil’s Antonio Carlos Jobim when the orchestra performs a setting of his Surfboard. The orchestra will also play an arrangement of the famous tango Por una Cabeza by Argentinian composer Carlos Gardel. Last on the program will be a rousing rendition of music from John Williams’ score to Jurassic Park.

NWU Symphonic Band Spring Celebration

Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m.

O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts
FREE – no reservation required

The Symphonic Band completes the season with their Spring Concert.

NWU's Big Sing!

Sunday, April 21 at 7 p.m.

O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts
FREE – no reservation required

NWU's Jazz Choir, Chamber Singers, University Choir and Unity Choir will be joined by the Norris High School Titan Singers, the Omaha Westside High School Warrior Choir, and the Lincoln Choral Artists in this year's Big Sing! You are also invited to lift your voice in a community sing sure to lift your spirit! The concert is free, though donations will be collected to benefit a local non-profit.

NWU Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Choir

Monday, April 22 at 7 p.m.

O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts
FREE – no reservation required

The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Choir team up to entertain friends and families with varied repertoire.

NWU Commencement

Saturday, May 4

The Department joins the rest of the University in celebrating the achievement of our graduates! The University Choir will sing for the Baccalaureate service at First United Methodist Church, and the Symphonic Band will play before and during the Commencement Ceremony in Abel Stadium.

More information about Commencement can be found on the Commencement 2024 page.

Lead Us on to the Light – Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir Tour

May 5 at 7 p.m. Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina, KS
May 6 at 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, Kirkwood, MO
May 7 at 7 p.m. Idlewild Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN
May 9 at 7 p.m. St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Franklin, TN
May 10 at 7 p.m. Manchester United Methodist Church, Manchester, MO
May 11 at 7:30 p.m. First-Plymouth Church, Lincoln, NE

As they travel to visit the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, the Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir and Jazz Choir bring a message of hope to audiences in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. Inspired by a phrase from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s favorite hymn ("...lead me on to the light"), this eclectic and engaging program features music by Rosephanye Powell, Moses Hogan, Maurice Duruflé, Heinrich Schütz, and Dolly Parton. Tom Trenney's arrangement of "We Shall Overcome" and U2's haunting "MLK" are sure to be highlights of this powerful program.


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