Spring arts events showcase College of Wooster students

The College of Wooster will present a variety of arts events throughout its spring semester, beginning at the end of January. Open to the greater Wooster community, events from the departments of music, theater and dance and The College of Wooster Art Museum include performances from music ensembles, theater and dance productions, and the spring art exhibit. The variety of events highlights the talents of students studying professionally in the arts and from other majors.

—College of Wooster Art Museum Exhibitions 1970: Mirrored Pasts, Predictable Futures at Ebert Art Center, 1220 Beall Ave. Opened to the public Jan. 20, this exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the year 1970, a pivotal moment in art history as artists responded to the progress and heightened anxieties that grew following the post-war era. Curated by students, works in the exhibition prompt viewers to consider how those tensions continue to echo today. The exhibit will be on display until April. The CWAM is open Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 1-4 p.m.

—Friday, Feb. 6: Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo concert featuring saxophonist Pete Mills at 7:30 p.m. at Gault Recital Hall of Scheide Music Center, 525 E. University St. Pete Mills, Columbus-area saxophonist and member of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, joins The College of Wooster Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo in an evening of jazz standards and new compositions, with free admission. Conducted by Jeffrey Lindberg, the ensemble specializes in playing large-ensemble jazz and gives opportunities for participants to compose, arrange and improvise music.

—Friday, Feb. 13: I HEART ART at 4 p.m. at Ebert Art Center. In collaboration with the Wellness Center and peer health educators, The College of Wooster Art Museum invites all to celebrate love in all its forms with art, craft activities and treats.

—Friday, Feb. 20 and Sunday, Feb. 22: Wooster Symphony Orchestra concert featuring the Escher String Quartet at Gault Recital Hall of Scheide Music Center. Performances will be Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. The Escher String Quartet will join the Wooster Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jeffrey Lindberg, in a performance of Edward Elgar’s "Introduction" and "Allegro for Strings," Op. 47. The program also includes Dvorák’s "Serenade for Strings" and Mendelssohn’s “Italian Symphony,” in honor of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Tickets are required and available at Buehler’s (Milltown and Towne Market) and Scheide Music Center.

—Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 26 through March 1: "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde at 7:30 p.m. at Freedlander Theatre, 329 E. University St. Directed by Shirley Huston-Findley, professor and department chair of theater and dance, "The Importance of Being Earnest," a satirical comedy set in Victorian London, demonstrates Wilde’s ability to critique the performance of the wealthy and powerful through witty repartee and farcical situations, allowing viewers to recognize the absurdity and transparency of social conventions. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee only Sunday, March 1 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are required and available at the box office in Freedlander Theatre or at www.wooster.edu/snippet/tickets.

—Friday, Feb. 27: Wooster Chorus Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Gault Recital Hall of Scheide Music Center. Founded in 1964, the Wooster Chorus is comprised of students representing all academic areas and is directed by Christin Sears, visiting assistant professor of choral music and director of choral activities. The award-winning ensemble has been praised for its sound, high level of artistry, creative programming and engaging performances.

—Friday, March 6: Wooster Contemporary Chamber Ensemble Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Gault Recital Hall of Scheide Music Center. Directed by Dylan Findley, visiting assistant professor of music, music theory and composition, the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble focuses on music by living composers.

—Sunday, March 8: Scot Symphonic Band & Wooster Pipe Band Concert at 3 p.m. at McGaw Chapel, 340 E. University St. Directed by Jeffrey Gershman, professor of music and director of bands, the band is the college's premier wind ensemble. Scot Symphonic Band performances draw both from the cornerstones of the wind literature and the finest contemporary works. The College of Wooster Pipe Band is directed by Palmer Shonk, ’10, and Sean Lawry and continues to foster Scottish arts and culture at the college.

—Sunday, March 8: Wooster Chorus pretour concert at 7:30 p.m. at Gault Recital Hall of Scheide Music Center, 525 E. University St.

—Thursday through Sunday, April 16-19: Spring dance concert at 7:30 p.m. at Freedlander Theatre. Directed by Emily Baird, assistant professor of theater and dance, the concert features original choreography from members of The College of Wooster Dance Company and Baird. This spring’s concert also features the work of guest artist Francesca Baron and an independent study piece by Larissa Cardine, ’26. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee only showing Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office in Freedlander Theatre or at www.wooster.edu/snippet/tickets.

—Saturday, April 18: Wooster Concert Band & Wooster Singers Concert at 3 p.m. at Gault Recital Hall of Scheide Music Center. The Wooster Singers is the college’s nonauditioned mixed voice ensemble music course, open to music majors and nonmajors alike and conducted by Christin Sears, visiting assistant professor and director of choral activities. The Wooster Concert Band includes students, staff and faculty of the college, along with community members from Wayne County, ranging in age from 16-80. It is conducted by Jeffrey Gershman, professor of music and director of bands at Wooster.

—Friday, May 1: Senior Studio Art Group Show Celebration at 4 p.m. at Ebert Art Center. Each studio major exhibits their independent study work in the MacKenzie Gallery at the heart of Ebert Art Center and submits one work to the group exhibition in The College of Wooster Art Museum. Students will offer gallery talks about their work as part of the college’s annual Senior Research Symposium, showcasing the scholarship of students across campus for independent study.

—Friday, May 1: Wooster Symphony Orchestra Concert at 7:30 p.m. at McGaw Chapel. Conducted by Jeffrey Lindberg, professor of music at the college, the Wooster Symphony Orchestra presents a performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s "Symphony No. 5 in D minor," Op. 47. Senior violinists Noah Hankin, ’26, and Jane Nolte, ’26, will be featured in a performance of Amitié for "Two Violins" and "Orchestra" by Eugene Ysaye. The ensemble also will premiere Pursuit for Symphony Orchestra, a new work by composer Dylan Findley, assistant professor of music at Wooster. Tickets are required and available at Buehler’s (Milltown and Towne Market) and the Scheide Music Center.

—Saturday, May 2: Wooster Contemporary Chamber Ensemble Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Gault Recital Hall of Scheide Music Center. The Contemporary Chamber Ensemble focuses on music by living composers and is directed by Dylan Findley.

—Sunday, May 3: Scot Symphonic Band & Wooster Pipe Band Concert at 3 p.m. at McGaw Chapel.

—Tuesday, May 5: Jazz Ensemble Concert at 7 p.m. at Scot Amphitheater. Chicago vocalist Abigail Riccards will join The College of Wooster Jazz Ensemble to celebrate the end of spring classes. The performance will highlight the contributions of the ensemble’s graduating seniors. In the event of rain, the concert will be moved to Gault Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. to ensure the performance continues as planned.

—Friday, May 15: Commencement Concert at 3 p.m. at McGaw Chapel. The College of Wooster will celebrate commencement weekend with a concert featuring the Wooster Chorus, directed by Christin Sears, visiting assistant professor of choral music and director of choral activities. The performance will honor the achievements of graduating students.

For more information on events in the department of music, email or call administrative coordinator Melissa Puster at mpuster@wooster.edu or 330-263-2419. For information on theater and dance events, email or call Scott Schwarzwalder at sschwarzwldr@wooster.edu or 330-263-2541. For more information on the CWAM exhibitions, visit the CWAM website or call 330-263-2495.