Schedule of Events:

June 20, 2025

7:00PM
Olsan Stone Terrace Music Building
General Admission Tickets: $34 adult  / $14 student (includes all fees)
FREE Limited Student Rush Tickets available at 6:15 p.m.
This concert will not be livestreamed.
Inside Recital Hall if bad weather

Jun 20 – An evening of Jazz on the Terrace
Jazz performances supported by the Michael J. and Aimee Rusinko Kakos Endowed Dean’s Chair in the College of Arts and Architecture

June 21, 2025

7:00PM
Recital Hall Music Building
Reserved Admission Tickets: $34 adult  / $14 student (includes all fees)
FREE Limited Student Rush Tickets available at 6:15 p.m.
This concert will not be livestreamed.

PRE-CONCERT DESSERT RECEPTION and CONCERT TICKET: $44 adult  / $19 student (includes all fees) MUST BE PURCHASED BEFORE JUNE 18.
Celebrate an evening of music with a sweet start!
Join us for a delightful pre-concert dessert reception featuring an array of strawberry and lemon-inspired treats accompanied by Penn State Creamery Vanilla Ice Cream, perfectly paired with Prosecco and sparkling spritzers. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, light conversation, and refreshing flavors before the performance begins. Reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be in Esber Rehearsal Hall.

Strings, Sonnets, and Shakespeare
This enchanting concert blends the expressive beauty of string music with the timeless poetry of William Shakespeare. The program features original musical settings of Shakespearean sonnets and iconic scenes from The Bard himself, alongside Dvo?ák’s spirited American Quartet—a vibrant work full of energy and folk-inspired charm. Join us for an unforgettable evening where words and music intertwine to celebrate the richness of art across the ages.

Program

LOVE HURTS
Penn State Centre Stage’s new professional summer company, Firefly Rep, joins the festival with “Love Hurts,” a fast-paced, joyous celebration of Shakespeare’s funniest romantic feuds and love sonnets set to music. From clever wordplay to star-crossed passion, this inaugural offering from Firefly Rep will captivate and entertain audiences of all ages.

Firefly Rep, a new initiative within Penn State Center Stage, is reviving professional summer theatre in State College. Firefly Rep promises to provide vibrant, high-quality performances to the heart of central Pennsylvania and aims to become a destination for theatre lovers from across the region. As the curtain rises on this exciting new chapter, the Penn State Centre Stage endeavors to build a summer season that will showcase incredible performances and provide the community with unforgettable cultural experiences.

June 22, 2025

7:00PM (if weather doesn’t cooperate we will hold the concert in the Recital Hall)
The Arboretum at Penn State
FREE Admission. This event will NOT be livestreamed. Blankets and lawn chairs are not provided. Free parking is available next to the Katz Building.
Music in the Gardens: Altoona Brass Collective

Altoona Brass Collective returns to the festival.

The Altoona Brass Collective was formed in 2017 by musicians in the central Pennsylvania area sharing a love of brass instruments, quality music, and live performance. All of ABC’s repertoire has been written specifically for the ensemble.  The members of the band have strong local ties, having attended the music schools of Clarion University, Duquesne University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Penn State University, and Slippery Rock University. These musicians are school administrators, music educators, music advocates, music merchants, studio teachers, freelance performers, and business owners with a common goal: To bring high-quality live music to Central Pennsylvania

Before the concert, please plan to arrive early, place your chair or blanket on the event lawn, and wonder through and explore the beautiful gardens. From 6:00-7:00 p.m. aspiring musicians will be planted within the gardens to perform for you.

Date: June 20 - 22, 2025

Location: Various Venues in University Park, PA

Click here to Buy Tickets