Samford University’s School of the Arts has set a packed schedule starting this month to welcome patrons back to in-person arts events.
Performances and exhibits will take place in the Art Gallery, Brock Recital Hall, Wright Center, Reid Chapel, Hodges Chapel, Bonnie Bolding Studio and Harrison Theatre, which had renovations this summer.
Additionally, the school will celebrate 15-year anniversaries of Brock Recital Hall and the Bonnie Bolding Studio.
“The School of the Arts is excited to have you back in our spaces and cheering for our students,” said Joe Hopkins, dean of the School of the Arts. “It is important to our students to have visible support from our community, and we have a tremendous season planned. We encourage our friends to come back to campus and enjoy the talent of our faculty, students and guest artists.”
See the full list of events and details at Samford.edu/arts/events.
The season began with the Matter & Spirit art exhibit presented by the Clarence Brooks Art & Design Series and on display at the Samford Art Gallery through Oct. 7.
The exhibit features a group of traveling artists, 10 American and 10 Chinese, who explored the relationship between Christianity and art.
The Patty McDonald Faculty Gala is the first event of the season. It will be at Brock Recital Hall on Sept. 14, 7:30-9 p.m., and will be available through the school’s livestream. The evening will showcase talented faculty members from the school.
The Randy Atcheson Christian Ministry Benefit Concert will be held Sept. 19, 4-5:30 p.m., at Reid Chapel. The concert will benefit the Christian ministry scholarship for Samford students preparing for Christian service as pastors, evangelists, worship leaders, youth leaders, missionaries and other vocations.
Clarinetist Brian Viliunas will perform as part of the Mary Louise Hodges Faculty Series Sept. 21, 7:30-9 p.m., at Brock Recital Hall. Viliunas conducts the Samford orchestra and travels extensively as a guest artist.
Samford’s A Cappella Choir will present choral vespers Sept. 24, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Hodges Chapel.
Parents of students, along with faculty and friends of the school, can attend Tea With the Dean on Sept 25, 10 a.m.-11 a.m., during Family Weekend. The reception will be at the Brock Recital Hall Lobby.
The same weekend, Singing in Heaven!, the annual hymn sing, will be happening Sept. 26, 2-3 p.m., at Reid Chapel.
On Sept. 30, the Mary Louise Hodges Faculty Series presents Angela Yoon, soprano, at Brock Recital Hall from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“The Wind in the Willows,” is being presented by the Emma Taylor Theatre for Youth Series Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at Harrison Theatre.
The production is a witty and magical adaptation by Moses Goldberg based on the book by Kenneth Grahame. Set in the English countryside, the tale of friendship and bravery follows Mole’s adventure to explore the Riverbank, during which he makes friends with fellow adventurers to travel through the Wild Wood.
On its first night, the production will be invitation-only and will begin at 7 p.m., with preshow activities starting at 6:16 p.m. Subsequent showings on Friday and Saturday begin at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday’s performance at 2:30 p.m.
A concert by professor Brad Diamond, tenor, accompanied by John Robertson on the piano will be presented as part of the Mary Louise Hodges Faculty Recital Series Oct. 3, 2:30-4 p.m., at Brock Recital Hall.
The Samford Orchestra will perform Oct. 5, 7:30-9 p.m., at Brock Recital Hall as part of the Patty McDonald Orchestra Series.
Kathleen Buccleugh, soprano, and Cindy St. Clair, piano, will perform Oct. 17, 2:30-4 p.m., at the Brock Recital Hall as part of the Mary Louise Hodges Faculty Recital Series.
The Fall Combined Choirs Concert will take place Oct. 21, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at Reid Chapel. The event is part of the Steven and Gena Brown Vinyard Choral Series and will feature the University Chorale and the Samford A Cappella Choir.
Samford’s newest Commercial Music Ensemble will perform popular music from the 1960s to modern day, in addition to performing originals written by Samford students and faculty, Oct. 26, 7:30-9 p.m., at Boren Courtyard, weather permitting.
“Crumbs From the Table of Joy” will be presented by the Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman Theatre and Dance Series at the Harrison Theatre. The production will be 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Oct. 28-30, and 2:30 to 4 p.m., Oct. 31.
The history of the Crump family as they move to 1950s New York after the death of their mother is told through the eyes of 17-year-old Ernestine. The coming-of-age story is part of the School of the Arts Diversity Series and is sponsored by Alabama Power and The Daniel Foundation.
Chamber Ensemble, featuring several student chamber ensembles will be presented Nov. 16, 7:30-9 p.m., at Brock Recital Hall.
The Worship Arts Ensemble Fall Concert will be presented Nov. 18, 7:30-9 p.m., at Reid Chapel.
The Dr. Chandler and Jane Paris Smith Opera Series is showcasing opera vignettes during its annual Opera Workshops on Nov. 19-20 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Bolding Studio.
“A Christmas Carol,” the musical, will be presented as part of the Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman Theatre and Dance Series Dec. 2-5 at the Wright Center. The presentation will be from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first three days and 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 5.
