Department of
Music and Performing Arts 2026-27 Performance Calendar
Glorifying God with
ONE VOIC
In this complex and troubled world, we aim to be both salt and light— preserving the good and reflecting the guiding light of Christ. The Department of Music and Performing Arts seeks to help students achieve their highest level of musicianship, prepare for careers in music, and provide opportunities for all students to cultivate skills in the performing arts. We do all of this to equip young people for service in the community, the church, and the world.
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Join us for music and theatre performances all year long! Visit tickets.bethel.edu for ticket information.
Angels We Have Heard On High
Benson Great Hall | Reserved Seating $23, $20 (Thu); $28, $25 (Fri/Sat) A holiday prelude by the Bethel Handbell Ensemble is presented 60 minutes before the start of each concert.
For many, Festival has been a treasured family tradition for decades. For others, a !rst encounter with the heart of Bethel: a vibrant, Christ-centered community where students are empowered to become who they are called to be. Festival of Christmas offers a space for worship and shared reflection focused on the hope and joy of Christ’s coming. Come celebrate with us the good news the angels proclaimed, the birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord!
DECEMBER 3-5 | 70TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS
Fall 2026
All events take place in Benson Great Hall unless otherwise noted
Chamber Orchestra Fall Concert Friday, October 16 - 6:30 p.m. Brad Cawyer, Conductor Adults $10, Students Free
Dr. Brad Cawyer leads the chamber orchestra in their annual fall concert featuring Bethel’s student string players. Join us for the !rst ensemble concert of the season!
Wind Symphony Fall Concert Friday, October 23 - 7:30 p.m. Kathryn Wert, Conductor Adults $10, Students Free
Bethel alumna and newly appointed Director of Instrumental Activities, Dr. Kathryn Wert, returns to the Benson Great Hall stage as conductor of the Wind Symphony, The concert will feature a program showcasing both classic and contemporary works for wind band.
Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic by Matt Cox
October 15-18; 22-25 Black Box Theatre Glenn Morehouse Olson, Director Adults $20, Seniors $17, Students $12
This year’s fall production is a magically hilarious play! For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Pu!s... who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world. PUFFS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Performance Prize Recital Tuesday, October 27 - 7:30 p.m. Free Event
The first of two yearly competitions, this recital features solo performances by students competing for top honors and cash awards in the categories of voice, keyboard, and instrumental performance. A light reception will be served in the loggia following the performance.
Jazz Orchestra Fall Concert Friday, October 30 - 7:30 p.m. Jason Harms, Conductor Adults $10, Students Free
Lucia Chorum & Royal Register Fall Concert Sunday, November 1 - 3 p.m. Brad Beale, Conductor Adults $10, Students Free
Benson Great Hall Choral Arts Festival featuring the Bethel Choir Thursday, November 5 - 7:30 p.m. Merrin Guice Gill, Conductor Adults $15, Seniors $12, Groups (10+) $12, Students Free
This year’s choral festival welcomes guest artist Shawn Kirchner: composer, arranger, and songwriter based in Los Angeles whose choral works are performed throughout the world. His music finds a middle ground between classical choral and instrumental traditions and the inheritance of the folk, carol, and hymn traditions. The evening concert showcases individual performances by each participating high school choir, as well as a featured performance by the Bethel Choir singing selections by Kirchner and more.
Shawn Kirchner, Guest Artist
Philharmonic Orchestra Fall Concert
Friday, November 13 - 7:30 p.m. Brad Cawyer, Conductor Adults $15, Seniors $12, Students Free
Experience the rich sound of a full symphonic ensemble at the Bethel Philharmonic Orchestra’s Fall Concert. Conducted by Dr. Brad Cawyer, the orchestra brings together Bethel students, faculty, alumni, and community members who share a love for great symphonic music. Join us for an inspiring evening of works for full orchestra, performed in a spirit of excellence, collaboration, and community.
Swingin’ on the Egg with the Bethel Jazz Orchestra Tuesday, December 8 - 7-9 p.m.
Free Event
Celebrate the Christmas season with a merry and bright evening of live jazz, fellowship, and, of course, swing dancing! Join the Bethel Jazz Orchestra and friends for a lively swing dance night !lled with classic jazz standards, energetic rhythms, and nonstop fun.
Spring 2027 Concerto/Aria Competition Recital Thursday, February 25 - 7:30 p.m. Free Event
This annual competition offers student musicians the chance to compete for the opportunity to perform with the Festival Orchestra at the Classics in the Great Hall concert on May 8. Come enjoy some of Bethel’s finest student musicians.
Faculty Artist Recital: Julia Heinen with 4 Low Pitches: Bass Clarinet Quartet Sunday, February 28 - 3 p.m. Julia Heinen, Melissa Morales, Stacie Traill, and Colleen White, bass clarinet Free Event
Bethel’s clarinet instructor, Julia Heinen, performs with 4 Low Pitches, a bass clarinet quartet which will delight the audience performing exciting and diverse repertoire from many genres of the music world. You will !nd yourself tapping your toes and wanting to jump up dancing with them as they perform some recognizable works like Molly on the Floor (Shore) and Saint Paul’s Suite. You will also be intrigued with the vast versatility of the bass clarinet and what this instrument in the hands of virtuosos can do!
Bethel Choir Spring Concert Friday, March 19 - 7:30 p.m.
Merrin Guice Gill, Conductor Adults $15, Seniors $12, Students Free
Philharmonic Orchestra Spring Concert
Friday, March 20 - 7:30 p.m. Brad Cawyer, Conductor Adults $15, Seniors $12, Students Free
Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert
Friday, April 2 - 7:30 p.m. Brad Cawyer, Conductor Adults $15, Seniors $12, Students Free
Lucia Chorum & Royal Register Spring Concert Friday, April 9 - 7:30 p.m.
Brad Beale, Conductor Adults $15, Seniors $12, Students Free
To Whom All Blessing Flow: A Homecoming
Sunday, April 18 - 3 p.m.
Peter Haberman, Conductor Kathryn Wert, Conductor Free Event
Encore Wind Ensemble began under Charles B. Olson, then associate professor of music at Bethel University, with its first performances held in Benson Great Hall. This joint concert reunites Encore, directed by Dr. Peter Haberman, with the Bethel Wind Symphony, directed by Dr. Kathryn Wert, back home to Benson Great Hall. Joint Concert featuring:
Encore Wind Ensemble and Bethel Wind Symphony
Wind Symphony Spring Concert Saturday, April 24 - 7:30 p.m.
Kathryn Wert, Conductor Adults $15, Seniors $12, Students Free
La Esmeralda
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
Glenn Morehouse Olson, Director Brad Cawyer, Conductor Merrin Guice Gill, Chorus Master Benson Great Hall | Reserved Seating $25, $22, $20, $15, $10 This romantic era opera is one of the earliest stage adaptions of Victor Hugo’s classic novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, premiering just !ve years after the novel’s publication. The score was composed by a woman, Louise Bertin, and the text was adapted by Victor Hugo himself. After premiering in 1836, in a time when female composers were not seriously regarded in the professional music scene, this beautiful work remained largely unknown until being recently rediscovered nearly two centuries later. Bethel’s production will be the !rst time it has been performed on stage in the United States!
A UNITED STATES PREMIERE | FEBRUARY 4-7
Verdi’s
REQUIEM
Benson Great Hall | General Admission | $20, $17, $15, $10 From the soaring “Lux Aeterna” to the thundrous “Dies Irae,” Verdi’s iconic Requiem declares both the beauty and holiness of Almighty God. This glorious sacred work will be performed by full orchestra, a professional quartet of soloists, and a double choir, all in the beautiful acoustics of Benson Great Hall. Performances by Bethel Wind Symphony and the 2027 Concerto/Aria winners will round out an unforgettable evening that you don’t want to miss.
MAY 7 - 7:30 p.m. | CLASSICS IN THE GREAT HALL
Jazz in the Great Hall
Friday, April 30 7:30 p.m. Jason Harms, Conductor Adults $15, Seniors $12, Students $5
Bethel’s “Early” and “Late” Jazz Orchestras present a joint concert, bringing the big band sound back to the beautiful Benson Great Hall. Directed by conductor, performer, and composer Jason Harms. Come for a family-friendly night of swinging standards and toe-tappin’ tunes!
Musical Theatre Scenes Show
Saturday, May 15 - 7:30 p.m. Kathryn Wert, Artistic Director Scenes directed by students/faculty Adults $15, Seniors $12, Students Free
The annual spring scenes show has quickly become an audience favorite! It is an end of year showcase performance of musical theatre scenes, each prepared and performed by a small group of performers directed by a faculty or student director. Singing, dancing, drama, humor... there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Merrin Guice Gill Brad Cawyer
Choirs | Chair
Orchestras
Kathryn Wert Kevin Shull
Bands
Producer | Director
Handbell Ensemble Spring Concert Sunday, May 2 - 3 p.m. Deb Garvey, Conductor Adults $10, Students Free
Join us for a family-friendly concert featuring the Bethel Handbell Ensemble! Enjoy a delightful mix of music from classic to contemporary performed on handbells. Perfect for music lovers of all ages, this event may even include a chance for you to ring a few bells yourself! Bring your friends and family for a night of music, laughter, and community!
Summer Piano Academy July 6-13
Tina Park, Artistic Director For students in grades 3-12
Young pianists are invited to step into an inspiring environment where their passion for music can flourish. Throughout the week, students hone their skills in lessons, masterclasses, and ensemble collaborations—culminating in memorable performances on a beautiful concert stage.
Glenn Morehouse Olson
Brad Beale
Music Education
Theatre
Our professors are supportive mentors, passionate teachers, talented artists and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.
Ticket Information Online - tickets.bethel.edu Phone - 651.638.6333 In Person Ticket Office, Community Life Center Hours - 2-5 p.m., M-F
Performance Venues Benson Great Hall (Community Life Center) Black Box Theatre (Clauson Center) 3900 Bethel Drive Arden Hills, MN 55112
Questions? 651.638.6333 ticket-office@bethel.edu
bethel.edu/events/arts
Additional Information • Tickets required for all events unless otherwise indicated. • Group Discounts - Many performances offer discounts for groups of 10 or more. Contact the Ticket Office for pricing and availability. • All seating is general admission except for Festival of Christmas and La Esmeralda. • Theatre patrons arriving later than 15 minutes before theatre performances may be unable to sit with their party. • Free parking is available for all performances in the West or East Parking Lots. • Directions to Bethel and campus maps may be found at maps.bethel.edu.
Music and Performing Arts at Bethel University Bethel’s Department of Music and Performing Arts is known for its commitment to excellence in teaching and the outstanding performance opportunities students receive both on and off campus. The distinguished faculty guide students through programs in music education, applied performance, music composition, and performing arts. In addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree, Bachelor of Music degrees are offered with emphases in vocal, instrumental, or music composition. A Minor in Music is offered as well as our new interdisciplinary Media and Performing Arts Minor incorporating coursework and performance opportunities in music, theatre, media production, and communication. It’s also possible to combine a performing arts program with another major— including business, biblical and theological studies, English, or pre-music therapy.
Fully-staged musical theatre and opera productions are produced in Benson Great Hall during the January Interim session in alternating years and annual theatre performances are presented in our black box theatre. Musical theatre and opera workshops provide additional acting and performance opportunities each spring.
The Bethel Choir, Wind Symphony, and Chamber Orchestra tour extensively throughout the United States and abroad. These groups, along with Bethel’s other performance ensembles, perform together in Bethel’s annual Festival of Christmas, Jazz in the Great Hall, and Classics in the Great Hall concerts. The Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Register, Lucia Chorum, Jazz Orchestras, Handbell Ensemble, and string and wind chamber ensembles offer additional performance opportunities.
Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education, with 4,700+ students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based on 247 wooded acres in St. Paul, Minnesota—and drawing recent students from all 50 states—Bethel offers bachelor’s and advanced degrees in over 100 areas of study. Educationally excellent classroom-based and online programs equip graduates to make exceptional contributions in life-long service to God and the world.
Bethel’s performance facilities for both music and theatre include the 1,700-seat Benson Great Hall, which is recognized as one of the !nest performance halls in the Upper Midwest. With its 67-rank Blackinton Organ, Benson Great Hall is one of the few concert halls in the Twin Cities with a pipe organ. Bethel’s Black Box Theatre seats up to 140 within a flexible space, allowing for diverse staging techniques and seating arrangements.
Music and Performing Arts at Bethel Program Highlights Music Performance Scholarships
Each year the Department of Music and Performing Arts awards scholarships to high-potential students. If music is your passion and you desire to major in or be involved in music at Bethel, consider applying for Bethel’s music performance scholarships.
Extensive performance opportunities
Bethel provides extensive opportunity for all students—music majors and non-majors alike—in both large and small ensembles, including band, choirs, orchestra, jazz, handbells, opera, musicals, chamber ensembles, and more.
Renowned performance facility
Bethel’s 1,700-seat Benson Great Hall, one of the finest concert halls in the Upper Midwest, attracts local and national performers to aid in your growth as a musician or actor.
National and international tours
Music ensembles tour within the U.S. and internationally giving you the opportunity to share God’s love and inspire others through performance.
Multi-disciplinary preparation
Because we’re a liberal arts institution, you’ll interact with a variety of disciplines, which prepares you for a multitude of careers. And with nearly 300 university students involved in ensembles, your experiences will be rich and diverse.
Music | Music Education | Applied Performance
Students prepare for professional careers in a variety of industries and graduate programs in !elds ranging from performance to music therapy to education.
MAJORS
Music | Media and Performing Arts
Our media and performing arts minor allows you to follow your passion for performance while advancing your technical skills. Your classes and performing opportunities include a variety of subjects, including media production, communication, acting, musical theatre, and opera—so you’ll be equipped to not only tell meaningful stories, but produce them as well.
MINORS Music Performance Endorsement | Pre-Music Therapy
With the music performance endorsement, you’ll grow your creative abilities beyond your academic discipline. Our pre-music therapy program will prepare you for graduate coursework to become a registered music therapist.
PROGRAMS
Talented faculty
Professors are passionate, innovative teachers, as well as talented artists in their own right. From private lessons to music theory classes, honoring God with our talents and discipline is at the core of what we do.
Music competitions
We sponsor two student competitions each year, offering you toplevel performance preparation and scholarship opportunities.
Excellent career placement
Nearly all of our recent music education grads who actively seek teaching positions have been placed in jobs throughout Minnesota and the nation. Those pursuing advanced studies have earned placement in some of the most selective, prestigious graduate programs in the country—and abroad. Version 26.9.22
Bethel is a private Christian university in St. Paul, Minnesota. We offer face-to-face and online programs in more than 100 areas of study, where students find space to belong and become the people God calls them to be. Learn more at bethel.edu/music