UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Join the Penn State School of Music, the Penn State Alumni Association and President Neeli Bendapudi on Thursday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m., for “Baroque, Brass, and Song,” an unforgettable evening of music that spans centuries and styles. The 2025 President’s Concert showcases the extraordinary talents of Penn State’s musicians in a program that weaves together works from the Baroque era to contemporary compositions. It will be preceded by a reception at 6 p.m. (see ticket information below).
The evening opens with "Origin," an exhilarating work composed in 2023 for the University of Toronto Wind Ensemble. From there, travel back to the 18th century as the Penn State Early Music Ensemble, led by Professor James Lyon, presents J.S. Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 — including the beloved "Air on the G String."
Opera lovers will be treated to selections from "The Miller’s Daughter," performed by Penn State’s Opera Theatre students under the direction of Assistant Professor Dawn Pierce. These excerpts offer a preview of the School of Music’s highly anticipated spring opera production.
The evening culminates in a powerful performance by the Brass Ensemble, featuring students from the studios of Professors George Carpten IV (trumpet), Sarah Schouten (horn), Jennifer Wharton (trombone), and Velvet Brown (tuba/euphonium). Under the baton of Professor Robert Hickey, assistant director of the Penn State Athletic Bands and conductor of the Symphonic Band, the concert will close with the Penn State Alma Mater.
Celebrate the depth and diversity of Penn State’s musical artistry at this annual tradition — an evening of inspiration, history and innovation.
At 6 p.m., join Penn State alumni and friends for a pre-concert reception at the Stotesbury Mansion in Rittenhouse Square hosted by Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi and the Penn State Alumni Association. Those attending the reception will be escorted to the venue for the President’s Concert.
Ticket and registration information
Admission to the concert and reception is $35 for Alumni Association members and students (ages 6-18) $15, and $50 for non-members. Children under 5 are free. Business attire is recommended. For those wishing to attend the reception and concert, please use this online pre-registration form.
Those unable to attend the Alumni Association's pre-concert reception but who would like to attend the 7:30 p.m. performance, can visit this website to purchase tickets. General admission tickets are $30 plus fees; discounted student tickets are $10 plus fees.
The annual President's Concert series provides an opportunity for Penn State students to present concerts in the most renowned performance and historic venues on the East Coast. In its history, Penn State ensembles have traveled to Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh), the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), Carnegie Hall (New York City), the Kimmel Center (Philadelphia), the Strathmore Centre (Bethesda, Maryland), and Lincoln Center (New York City). In addition, the concerts have been held in the National Presbyterian Church (Washington, D.C.), the Forum (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) and the Holy Trinity Church Rittenhouse Square (Philadelphia).