Music Performances

All 2024-25 musical performances are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

NWU Music Showcase Concert

Saturday, October 5 at 4:30 p.m.
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts

NWU's three choirs join the symphonic band and jazz band in a kaleidoscopic performance on Wesleyan Weekend. Alumni are invited to join in the music making.

Love and Joy Come to You: Christmas with Nebraska Wesleyan

Sunday, December 8 at 7 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, 2723 N. 50th St., Lincoln

Celebrate Christmas with Wesleyan, and raise your voice in carols sung with the University Choir, Jazz Choir, Chamber Singers and Unity Choir. The Omaha Skutt Catholic High School Chamber Choir will join the NWU students in singing uplifting music that speaks to the heart of the holiday season.

Back to the New World: Lincoln Civic Orchestra

Sunday, November 5 at 4 p.m.
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts

The Lincoln Civic Orchestra plays varied repertoire for their fall concert, themed “Back to the New World.”

Beyond: NWU Fall Bands Concert

Wednesday, November 6 at 7 p.m.
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts

The NWU Symphonic Band explores works of music that reflect on various meanings of the word “beyond.” The Jazz Ensemble will perform repertoire of varied vernacular styles.

My Heart Be Brave: NWU's Choir Tour

Wednesday, January 8 at 7 p.m.
Collegiate United Methodist Church, Ames, Iowa
featuring the Ames High School Concert Choir and Madrigal Choir

Thursday, January 9 at 7 p.m.
Wesleyan United Methodist Church, Muscatine, Iowa

Friday, January 10 at 7 p.m.
Wartburg College Chapel, Waverly, Iowa
featuring the Wartburg Choir

Saturday, January 11 at 7 p.m.
Plymouth Congregational Church, Des Moines, Iowa
featuring Adel DeSoto Minburn High School Choir

Sunday, January 12 at 3 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, Omaha
featuring the Omaha Burke High School Choir

Monday, January 13 at 7 p.m.
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts
featuring the Elkhorn North Concert Choir and Lincoln North Star Concert Choir

The Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir and Jazz Choir spread a message of love, courage, resilience, and hope with communities in Iowa and eastern Nebraska, offering an expansive and expressive program of music from many cultures and eras. Featured composers include Johann Sebastian Bach, Pavel Chesnokov, Reena Esmail, Marques Garrett, Moses Hogan, and Robert Ray.

NWU Honors Choir Festival Concert

Saturday, February 7 at 7 p.m.
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts

Tickets must be purchased at the door for this event.

Nearly one hundred of Nebraska's finest high school musicians gather on campus to sing with guest composer/conductor Kyle Pederson and NWU's own Tom Trenney. Omaha Central High School's A Cappella Choir will be featured in the performance as well. 

NWU Honors Bands Festival Concert

Saturday, February 15 at 2:30 p.m.
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts

Tickets must be purchased at the door for this event.

Nearly 120 of Nebraska's finest high school musicians gather on campus to form two bands that will perform with guest conductor Jon Noworyta and NWU's Joshua Roach. 

Vive La France: Lincoln Civic Orchestra

Sunday, February 23 at 4 p.m. 
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts

The Lincoln Civic Orchestra presents their winter performance with works by French composers. NWU music student concerto competition winners will also be featured on the program.

I Believe: Celebrating Music of Black Composers

Sunday, February 23 at 7 p.m. 
First-Plymouth Church, 2000 D Street, Lincoln

NWU's University Choir joins the Plymouth Choir and St. Paul's Choir in a program conducted by Anton Armstrong, conductor of the renowned St. Olaf Choir. Repertoire includes Robert Ray's Gospel Mass and the Nebraska premiere of Margaret Bonds' Credo. Donations will be received to benefit Bridges to Hope.

NWU Bands Winter Performance

Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. 
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts

The NWU Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble present their winter concert.

Cinematic Adventures: Lincoln Civic Orchestra

Sunday, April 13 at 4 p.m. 
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts

The Lincoln Civic Orchestra performs film music for their season finale.

Spring Celebration: NWU Bands

Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m. 
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts

The NWU Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble celebrate their spring performance together in O’Donnell.

NWU's Big Sing!

Sunday, April 27 at 7 p.m. 
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts

More than 300 singers offer a vibrant and colorful program of choral music. NWU's four choirs will be joined by vocal ensembles from Lincoln's Standing Bear High School, Bennington High School, and Iowa's Shenandoah High School.

Mozart's Requiem

Sunday, May 4 at 7 p.m. 
First-Plymouth Church, 2000 D Street, Lincoln

In anticipation of their performance at the Church of Sts. Simon Jude in Prague, the Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir will sing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's iconic Requiem with singers from First-Plymouth Church and Hastings College and a chamber orchestra. Donations will be received to benefit Community Crops.

NWU Commencement 

Saturday, May 10
O’Donnell Auditorium, Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts

The Music 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.

Please check this page often for updates, or follow "Nebraska Wesleyan University Music Department" on Facebook and Instagram or use #nwuintune.