UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of Music in the College of Arts and Architecture has announced its 2026–27 Rhapsody Series, a celebrated faculty recital series showcasing the artistry and scholarship of Penn State's distinguished music faculty. Presented on select Sundays throughout the academic year in the School of Music Recital Hall, the series offers audiences an opportunity to experience a wide range of performances.
Fall 2026
The season opens Aug. 30 with “The Soldier’s Tale.” Audiences will experience Igor Stravinsky’s theatrical masterpiece, a witty and poignant fable that combines music, narration and theatrical staging to explore themes of temptation, ambition and destiny. Faculty performers for this concert are James Lyon, Patricia Weitzel, Anthony Costa, Carlos Lopez Soria, Ben Carrasquillo, George Carpten IV, Lee Hinkle, Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin and Wendell Franklin. A reception will follow the opening performance in the Eleanor Duncan Armstrong Atrium.
On Sept. 6, oboe professor Andreas Oeste presents " Voices of Conflict," a program that covers music of turmoil. In this program, the oboe takes the role of narrator in works that focus on societal and global conflicts from the 20th and 21st centuries. Oeste is joined by Melody Quah and others in this program featuring pieces by composers including Benjamin Britten, Pavel Haas, Judith Shatin and Diana Syrse.
Lecturer of Piano Technology Schrantz presents "Cassandra Weeps" on Sept. 20, a program of Baroque works by Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe, Arcangelo Corelli, Johann Schenk, J.S. Bach and Marin Marais performed on historical instruments. Schrantz is joined by Patricia Ann Neely, Brian Kay, William Rehwinkel, Cole Denton and guest speaker Nikki Crawford. The program reflects on grief; remembrance and the enduring human connections found in music across centuries.
Violin Professor James Lyon takes the stage Oct. 11 with "Collaborations," exploring the violin in dialogue with a variety of instruments. Joined by faculty colleagues Mark Ferraguto, Lily Schrantz, Lee Hinkle, Patricia Weitzel and Jonathan Gangi, Lyon will perform works ranging from Isabella Leonarda’s "Sonata Duodecima" to the world premiere of Nalah Palmer’s "Turning."
Spring 2027
The spring semester begins Jan. 24 with pianist Seulki Yoo’s "Through a Romantic Prism." Featuring works by Schubert, Brahms and Scriabin, the recital examines the expressive richness of Romanticism through compositions written during the composers’ formative years.
On Jan. 31, trombone professor Ben Carrasquillo presents "Crossing Over," a celebration of composers and music that bridge jazz, classical, commercial and film traditions. The program features Nathaniel Shilkret’s rarely performed Concerto for Trombone, along with original compositions and arrangements by Carrasquillo and works by Jim Pugh and Jordan VanHemert. Carrasquillo will be joined by faculty members Katherine Benson, George Carpten IV and Sarah Schouten.
Visiting cello professor Jonathan Dexter presents "Wood and Wire" on Feb. 7, a program tracing the cello’s remarkable versatility through traditional masterworks, contemporary acoustic compositions and amplified performance styles. Music by J.S. Bach, Sergei Prokofiev, Baljinder Sekhon, Mark Summer, and Jonathan Dexter demonstrates the instrument’s expansive artistic possibilities.
Piano professor Melody Quah follows on Feb. 21 with "Timeless Piano," featuring works by Mozart, Chopin, Liszt and Rachmaninoff. The recital celebrates enduring favorites of the piano repertoire through music noted for its lyricism, elegance and virtuosity.
On Feb. 28, voice professor dawn pierce joins George Carpten IV and Melody Quah for "Of Heart and Song." The trio will present two world premieres of song cycles, including Jodi Goble’s "The Last Light (Four Poems of Edward Thomas)" and newly arranged spirituals by Khyle B. Wooten, alongside Eric Ewazen’s "...to cast a shadow again."
The series concludes March 14 with "Collective Journey," presented by horn professor Sarah Schouten. Featuring new commissions by Gina Gillie, Susan Mutter and Tara Islas, the program explores shared human experiences through folk influences, nostalgia and themes of despair, resilience, uncertainty and hope.
All Rhapsody Series performances are free and open to the public. Events take place at 4 p.m. in the Penn State School of Music Recital Hall.