2023-24 Department of Music and Theatre Performances

(Albany, NY):  The University at Albany Department of Music and Theatre is pleased to announce its performances for the 2023-24 season. Offering concerts by guest artists, faculty and students, the Music Program will present 23 performances.  The Theatre Program will mount three full productions offering five to six performances of each show plus its annual festival of new plays.

All performances by the Department of Music and Theatre take place at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center on the main University at Albany campus at 1400 Washington Avenue. The complete schedule of the Department’s performances is as follows:                                           

Viva Mexico

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 7pm

Pianist Max Lifchitz celebrates the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month performing a recital featuring music by Mexican composers.

Tangos & More

Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 7pm

Pianist Max Lifchitz marks the ending of Hispanic Heritage Month performing a recital featuring dance-inspired music from the Americas.

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

- Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 8pm

- Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 8pm

- Friday, October 20, 2023 at 3pm

- Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 2pm & 8pm

- Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 3pm

This poetic drama, about the choices in the life of a young artist, made the yet-unknown playwright an overnight sensation. It’s an American classic: envisioned for our world today and our unique theatre in the round.

UAlbany Symphony Orchestra & Concert Band

Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 1pm and Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 7:30pm

Two of the University’s large ensembles present a shared program.

The Choral Hour

Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 3pm and Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 3pm

The UAlbany Chamber Singers and Community Chorale perform separately and combined in a program of music from a wide array of styles and culture.

Senior Recital

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 7pm

This program of guitar music features solo classical pieces as well as jazz ensemble selections arranged by Sam Piazza.

Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage

- Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 8pm

- Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 8pm

- Friday, November 17, 2023 at 3pm

- Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 2pm & 8pm

- Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 2pm

The most produced play in America in 2022, this comedy, by the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Sweat and Intimate Apparel, is set in the kitchen of a truck stop where the art of making a sandwich is perfected by a group of formerly incarcerated individuals.

Bach to Broadway

Friday, November 17, 2023 at 7:30pm

Students in the vocal program perform staged versions of classical and contemporary song repertoire.

Miolina: The Dueling Violinists

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 4pm

Mioi Takeda and Lynn Bechtold perform music for two violins by contemporary composers including Capital District composers Hilary Tann, Max Lifchitz and Rain Worthington.

Student Recitals

Friday, December 1, 2023 and Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 6pm

A host of performers showcase their vocal and instrumental talents as part of their departmental studies.

Holiday Concert

Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 3pm

Music Program ensembles (Chorale, Chamber Singers, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra) are joined by student groups (Serendipity, Pitch Please) for a concert celebrating the season.

UAlbany Percussion Ensemble & Jazz Band

Monday, December 4, 2023 at 7pm

Two of the University’s large ensembles present a shared program.

American Romantics

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 7pm

Pianist Max Lifchitz performs piano music by American composers.

Albagli & Friends

Friday, February 16, 2024 at 7pm

Faculty member Richard Albagli and his top students perform a percussion recital.

“To Refresh Their Spirits” – Keyboard Music of Bach and Handel

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 7:30pm

Pianist Kuok-Wai Lio presents two great works side by side: the Handel Chaconne in G Major, HWV435 and Bach’s Goldberg Variations, BWV 988.

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

- Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 8pm

- Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 8pm

- Friday, March 8, 2024 at 3pm

- Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 2pm & 8pm

- Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 2pm

Unfolding with music and merriment, a nearly all-female cast of players takes on Shakespeare’s classic comedy about the politics of empowerment and who wears the pants when two fabulously headstrong individuals fall in love.

Festival of Contemporary Music

Monday, March 11, 2024 at 7pm

This concert of percussion music features four ensembles.

Music by Women Composers

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 7pm

Pianist Max Lifchitz marks Women’s History Month performing music by women composers.

Fresh Acts

-  Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 8pm

-  Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 8pm

-  Friday, April 12, 2024 at 3pm

-  Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 2pm & 8pm

This spring festival of brand-new plays is written, directed, and performed by students...the future of the American theatre.

Showcase Concert

Friday, April 12, 2024 at 7:30pm

Vocal students complete their study of the operatic and oratorio repertoire with this staged production.

Youth Movements XVI

Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 3pm

The annual festival includes musicians of all ages from around the Capital Region.

UAlbany Jazz Band

Monday, April 22, 2024 at 8pm

Directed by Keith Pray, this student and community ensemble presents a concert featuring classic and contemporary jazz.

UAlbany Symphony Orchestra

Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 3pm

With conductor Christopher David Neubert, this large ensemble performs works representing outstanding repertoire from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Sound of the Trumpets, The Roar of the Drums

Monday, April 29, 2024 at 7pm

The UAlbany Concert Band and UAlbany Percussion Ensemble present a shared program.

All tickets purchases must be made on-line at www.albany.edu/pac. Information and assistance can be received from the UAlbany Performing Art Center’s main office at [email protected] or (518) 442-3995. Further details on all performances can be found on the UAlbany Performing Arts Center web site under Department Performances (https://www.albany.edu/pac/department-music-and-theatre-performances).