Hillsdale College Announces April Fine Arts Events
Upcoming events include a Big Band concert, a Tower Dancers concert, and ‘Pilgrim the Musical’ by Arise Collective Theatre.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College will hold a variety of fine arts events in April, which are open to members of our local community. Upcoming events include a Big Band concert, a Tower Dancers concert, and “Pilgrim the Musical” by Arise Collective Theatre.
All events are free and open to the public, but some require ticket reservations. To reserve tickets, contact the box office at [email protected] or 517-607-2848.
Without further ado, here are April’s events. See you there!
Senior Art Exhibition
Exhibits will be displayed in the Daughtrey Art Gallery in the Fine Arts Building. For gallery hours, click here.
- “Connection” | Friday, March 27, to Tuesday, March 31
- Featuring art by Veronica Fogo, Cecilia Jansen, Joel Mayer, Julia Widhalm, and Emma Cuneo
- “Formed” | Friday, April 10, to Tuesday, April 14
- Featuring art by Abigail Cool, Katie Edison, Ellia He, Phaedra Kelley, and Ella Rose Klein
- “Through Your Eyes | Friday, April 17, to Tuesday, April 21
- Featuring art by Claire Bowers, Abigail Palubinskas, Catherine Schlueter, Michelle Soukup, and Carolyn Spangler
Each exhibit will open with a reception in the gallery (6-8 p.m. on March 27, April 10, and April 17).
Tower Players Festival of Short Plays
7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10 | 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12 | Quilhot Blackbox Theatre (Fine Arts Building)
The biennial festival returns to showcase a variety of one-act plays directed, designed, and produced by student collaborators. Admission is free, but ticket reservations are required. To reserve tickets, call the Box Office at 517-607-2848 or email [email protected].
Friday, April 10: Musical Forum Lecture Series Faculty Roundtable
Noon to 1 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall (Howard Music Hall)
Join members of the music faculty for the final installment of the Musical Forum, featuring a lively roundtable discussion moderated by Dr. Daniel Kuehler on the relationship between music and the mind.
Saturday, April 11: Hillsdale Percussion Ensemble
7:30 p.m. | McNamara Rehearsal Hall (Howard Music Hall)
This year’s Percussion Ensemble concert features a diverse program of music composed by percussionists on themes of earth, sky, and spirit. Featuring Stacey Jones-Garrison (marimba).
Sunday, April 12: Faculty Trumpet Recital
3 p.m. | Christ Chapel
Chris McCourry (trumpet) and Brad Blackham (piano) will perform music by Sergei Wassilenko and Steve Rouse.
Sunday, April 12: Choral Evensong Service
6 p.m. | Christ Chapel
Join the Hillsdale College Choral Scholars for a celebration of Choral Evensong. This centuries-old service features Scripture, choral anthems, and prayers.
Monday, April 13: Faculty Woodwind Quintet
7 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall (Howard Music Hall)
Jaimie Wagner (flute), Chris Wheeler (oboe), Andrew Sprung (clarinet), Cynthia Duda (bassoon), and Alan Taplin (horn) will perform “Reverie” by Eric Ewazen, “Lavottiana” by Ferenc Farkas, “Apollo” by Marc Mellits, and Quintet no. 9 by Alec Wilder.
Tower Dancers Spring Concert
7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18 | 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19 | Markel Auditorium (Fine Arts Building)
The Tower Dancers’ 23rd Annual Spring Concert features choreography by students, faculty, and guest artists. Works are presented in ballet, contemporary, and modern dance, highlighting the talent of our student performers.
Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18: Big Band Concert With Denis DiBlasio
7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17 | Phi Sig Pavilion (Inclement weather location: McNamara Rehearsal Hall)
7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18 | Plaster Auditorium (Searle Center)
Denis DiBlasio, saxophonist and long-term member of the legendary Maynard Ferguson Band, returns to Hillsdale College for two concerts with the Hillsdale College Big Band directed by Chris McCourry.
Sunday, April 19: College Choir and Chamber Choir Spring Concert/Retirement Concert
3 p.m. | Christ Chapel
The College Choir and Chamber Choir, conducted by Music Director James A Holleman, will present their annual spring concert of varied repertoire. Graduating seniors in the choirs will be recognized and celebrated. This will be Prof. Holleman’s final choir concert at Hillsdale College after 29 years as music director, as he will retire at the end of this academic year. Come and celebrate the rich tradition of choral music on the campus of Hillsdale College with the students and Prof. Holleman in Christ Chapel. Admission is free, and no tickets are required.
Sunday, April 19: Choral Evensong Service
6 p.m. | Hoynak Room (Dow Center)
Join the Hillsdale College Choral Scholars in the Hoynak Room located in the Dow Hotel and Conference Center for a celebration of Choral Evensong. This centuries-old service features Scripture, choral anthems, and prayers.
Thursday, April 23: Rob Roy Concert
7:30 p.m. | McNamara Rehearsal Hall (Howard Music Hall)
The Vocal Jazz Trio joins the Rob Roy Jazz Quintet for a concert featuring the music of Horace Silver.
Arise Collective Theatre Presents ‘Pilgrim the Musical’
7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24 | 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25 | Markel Auditorium (Fine Arts Building)
Experience the inspiring journey of “Pilgrim the Musical.” Arise Collective Theatre brings its renowned production—based on “The Pilgrim’s Progress”—to Markel Auditorium for four unforgettable performances. Witness breathtaking storytelling, powerful music, and a message that resonates deeply. Admission is free, but ticket reservations are required. To reserve tickets, call the Box Office at 517-607-2848 or email [email protected].
Friday, April 24: Choral Scholars Spring Concert “Sacred Masterworks”
7:30 p.m. | Christ Chapel
“Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” Joined by the critically acclaimed Terra String Quartet and other guest musicians, the Hillsdale College Choral Scholars take up the psalmist’s call with a program spanning two centuries of sacred choral music. Britten’s kaleidoscopic “Rejoice in the Lamb” uncovers the glory of God in every living creature—from the poet Christopher Smart’s cat Jeoffry to the flowers of the field. Ēriks Ešenvalds’s “Trinity Te Deum” lifts the ancient hymn heavenward in luminous, shimmering harmonies. The young Puccini’s richly wrought “Kyrie” opens the concert with ardent supplication, while Beethoven’s “Elegischer Gesang” reflects tender grief for a lost loved one. The program culminates in Mozart’s radiant “Coronation Mass,” a work of festive splendor fit for kings—and for spring. Join us for an evening of sacred treasures celebrating the breath of praise in all its voices.
Tuesday, April 28: Spring Student Art Exhibit Opening
4 p.m. | Daughtrey Art Gallery (Fine Arts Building)
This juried exhibit features all levels of student works from spring semester studio courses. An opening reception and awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, April 28, in the Daughtrey Art Gallery. The exhibit will be on display in the gallery until Wednesday, May 6. For gallery hours, click here.
Sunday, April 26: Strings Student Chamber Recital
2 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall (Howard Music Hall)
Sunday, April 26: Sigma Alpha Iota Spring Concert
3 p.m. | McNamara Rehearsal Hall (Howard Music Hall)
The ladies of the Sigma Alpha Iota women’s music fraternity will perform their spring concert.
Monday, April 27: Student Composers Concert
8 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall (Howard Music Hall)
Students of Dr. Daniel Tacke.
Thursday, April 30: Student Woodwind Chamber Ensemble
4 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall (Howard Music Hall)
Students Elena Bull (flute), Anne Crites (oboe), and Samuel Jarzab (clarinet) will be joined by faculty member Dr. Cynthia Duda (bassoon).
Senior Recitals
- Rachel Dunphey (Voice) | Thursday, April 9 | 8 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Sophia LaBonte (Voice) | Friday, April 10 | 7 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Ciara Collins (Voice) | Saturday, April 11 | 1 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Elena Bull (Flute) | Sunday, April 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Daniel Doyle (Voice) and Jake Hamilton (Piano) | Tuesday, April 14 | 7:45 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Paul Whalen (Piano) | Saturday, April 18 | 3 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Emil Schlueter (Guitar) | Sunday, April 19 | 8 p.m. | McNamara Rehearsal Hall
- Zachary Rinas (Composition) | Saturday, April 25 | 3 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Claire Trainor (Harp) | Sunday, April 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
Studio Recitals
- Violin/Viola Students of Dr. Melissa Knecht | Friday, April 17 | 7 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Woodwind Students of Jaimie Wagner, Andrew Sprung, and Chris Wheeler | Monday, April 20 | 7 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Jazz Students of Duncan McMillan and Chris McCourry | Monday, April 20 | 7 p.m. | McNamara Rehearsal Hall
- Jazz Voice Students of Olivia Van Goor | Tuesday, April 21 | 6 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Guitar Students of Dan Palmer | Wednesday, April 22 | 6 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Piano Students of Brad Blackham | Thursday, April 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Violin/Viola Students of Dr. Melissa Knecht | Saturday, April 25 | 1 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Voice Students of Julie Adams | Saturday, April 25 | 4:30 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Piano Students of Dr. Taylor Flowers | Saturday, April 25 | 6 p.m. | McNamara Rehearsal Hall
- Brass Students of Chris McCourry | Monday, April 27 | 6:30 p.m. | McNamara Rehearsal Hall
- Violin/Viola Students of Jillienne Bowers | Tuesday, April 28 | Noon | Conrad Recital Hall
- Organ Students of Dr. Derek Stauff and Dr. Ryan Kennedy | Tuesday, April 28 | 7 p.m. | Christ Chapel
- Voice Students of Kristi Matson | Tuesday, April 28 | 8 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
- Voice Students of Karl Schmidt | Thursday, April 30 | 6 p.m. | Conrad Recital Hall
For more information about upcoming fine arts events, click here. To download the 2025-2026 Fine Arts Calendar, click here. For more information about the fine arts at Hillsdale College, click here.
For photos from Hillsdale College fine arts events, click here. For photos of Hillsdale College, click here. For a high-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo, click here.