Faculty members, students and alumni from the Eastman School of Music, of the University of Rochester, will be featured at several venues in and around downtown Rochester during the 13th annual Rochester Fringe Festival (Fringe), running from September 10-21, 2024. Additionally, Eastman’s venues will play host to several events. 

The schedule of Fringe shows taking place at Eastman includes:

To view the full schedule and purchase tickets, visit the Fringe website.

 The Dave Rivello Ensemble (DRE): RED ii | Tues. Sep. 10 at 7:30 p.m. | Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

What happens when the 13-member Dave Rivello Ensemble (DRE) plugs in? DRE | RED ii! Sharp angles contrasted with smooth textures and combined with dynamic solos make for an evening of continuous color. This show is an extension of the Dave Rivello Ensemble, which has performed for 30 years in Rochester. The ensemble continues to be Rivello’s vehicle for his original work as well as his main orchestral voice. From the beginning, the group has blurred lines and crossed genres — come get lost in DRE | RED ii! Tickets: $10

Horn Choir Remembrance Concert | Wed. Sep. 11 at 11:30 a.m. | Kilbourn Hall

The Eastman Horn Choir was founded in 1968 by Verne Reynolds, professor emeritus of horn at the Eastman School of Music, who served as its director until his retirement in 1995. From its inception, the choir’s mission has been to provide an expanded ensemble experience for the horn students, acquaint them with the breadth of quality repertoire within our musical culture and encourage contemporary composers to create original works for multiple horns. Directed by Peter Kurau. Free, non-ticketed

CANCELLED: Pete Davidson LIVE | Friday, Sep. 13 at 7:30 p.m. | Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

Fringe is working on securing a new comedy headliner. Check back here for updates!

Composers Concert | Tues. Sep. 17 at 7:30 p.m. | Hatch Recital Hall

From its inception in 1921, Eastman School of Music has been a center for music composition and for the performance of new and recent music. Eastman faculty members and students have been internationally recognized since the 1930s. New music is heard frequently in concert halls and alternative performance spaces throughout Rochester. Eastman’s reputation for performance excellence combined with performer enthusiasm for new music offers a great benefit to composers. Free, non-ticketed

Eastman Percussion Ensemble | Tues. Sep. 17 at 7:30 p.m. | Sproull Atrium at Miller Center

The Eastman Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Michael Burritt, is a two-time winner of the Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition, performing internationally in 2013 and 2017. The ensemble has commissioned and premiered works by Alejandro Viñao and John Psathas, and this year will be giving the world premiere of works by Grammy Award winning jazz pianist and composer Billy Childs as well as the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Joseph Schwantner. Tickets: $10

Eastman Wind Orchestra | Wed. Sep. 18 at 7:30 p.m. | Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

The Eastman Wind Orchestra (EWO) comprises first and second year woodwind, brass and percussion students. The EWO actively participates in commissioning new works and world premieres, regularly performs with community and public-school ensembles throughout the Rochester region, and in February 2024, was a feature ensemble at the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Eastern Division Conference at Cornell University. Conducted by Dr. Mark Davis Scatterday. Free, non-ticketed

 The following Fringe events will feature Eastman performers—faculty, students and alumni—in off-campus venues:

 “Farcical Fantasies: Episodes from a Diary” | Thursday, Sep. 12 at 5:30 p.m. | SOTA: Ensemble Theatre

Where poetry, composition and performance coalesce, Farcical Fantasies: Episodes from a Diary, a series created by Katie Hannigan ’07E (MM), ’10E (DMA), welcomes all to submit your own hilarious stories (prose, poetry, short story or stand-up comedy snippet), for which we will compose music and perform it. There’s no fee to enter for the chance to win a generous librettist monetary prize, even if your piece is not selected for composition. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis –– the sooner you submit, the more likely you are to be featured. Tickets: $10

String Quartet Theatre | Friday, Sep. 13 at 8:15 p.m. and Saturday, Sep. 14 at 7:30 p.m. | Temple Theater

“String Quartet Theatre,” featuring violinist Sophia Klin ’23E, is an experiential performance developed at the intersection of intimate music making and immersive theatre. The production offers extraordinary string quartet and solo music while inviting audience members to listen, move through spaces, and if desired, discover interactions that engage the heart, mind and body beyond the ears. Tickets: $25

“Carnival of the Animals” — BIODANCE & Cordancia Chamber Orchestra | Saturday, Sep. 14 and Friday, Sep. 20 at 7:00 p.m. | The Hochstein School

BIODANCE, directed by Missy Pfohl Smith, Director of the University of Rochester’s Dance and Movement program, teams up with Cordancia Chamber Orchestra, comprising many Eastman alumni and conducted by ECMS conducting faculty member Rachel Lauber, and media artist W. Michelle Harris to present Carnival of the Animals (Saint-Saëns) with narration by Jay Stelzer. Repertory bridges dance, music, and the natural world in delightfully surprising ways. After an unparalleled collaboration with the Seneca Park Zoo, the artists are thrilled to share this new work at Fringe! Tickets: $15

Róisín Dubh | Sunday, Sep. 15 at 8:00 p.m. | CenterStage Theater at the JCC: Hart Theater

Róisín Dubh (“ro-sheen dove;” The Black Rose) is a unique school music program created by Mark Gowman ’07E (MA), that performs high-energy traditional music of Ireland in authentic traditional and contemporary styles. A favorite among Celtic music lovers in Rochester and far beyond, Róisín Dubh has performed more than 450 times since its inception in 2001, shared the stage with some of the world’s top Irish/Celtic musicians, released four albums and was featured on NPR’s famous Thistle & Shamrock. Tickets: $12

Starborn: A Tribute to Legendary Voices | Thursday, Sep. 19 at 7:00 p.m. | SOTA: Allen Main Stage Theatre

With the international acclaim of their viral hit “Bridesmaids,” the powerhouse pop duo returns to Rochester with a captivating performance that weaves an inspiring narrative through music and spoken word in a live concert setting. Vocalists Meredith Bready & Shanna Pagán will perform a blend of pop, jazz and musical theater favorites, accompanied by the unrivaled talents of Eastman School of Music musicians: current student Emiliya Mullerman on piano and alumnus Sean Mulligan ’18E on viola. Tickets: $20

Indigo Breeze Band | Friday, September 20 at 6:00 p.m. | CenterStage Theater at the JCC: Ballroom Stage

The Indigo Breeze Sextet is a unique collaboration that performs straight-ahead jazz and jazz-influenced arrangements of familiar tunes from Latin musical traditions, R&B and pop standards. They receive high praise for their variety of selections, from gentle ballads to energetic sambas and swing, featuring songs from Chuck Mangione ’63E, ’85 (Honorary) and Stevie Wonder to Santana and Louis Armstrong. Audiences rave about this invigorating experience of music that can feel familiar yet brand new! Trombonist Evan Dobbins ’94E (MM), son of Professor Emeritus of Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media Bill Dobbins, plays in this band. Tickets: $15

 Visit the Fringe website to learn more and purchase tickets to all events. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at (585) 957-9837 (additional fees apply), or in person – at the door of the venue or at the One Fringe Place Box Office (at the corner of Main and Gibbs Streets).