Montclair State University — John J. Cali School of Music
Cali Alexander Kasser Theater Events
The 2025/26 Season John J. Cali School of Music
FALL 2025
Friday, October 3, 2025 @ 7:30pm; Tickets
Saturday, October 4, 2025 @ 8pm Tickets
Kaleidoscope
The Cali School’s season opening concert, Kaleidoscope is a non-stop extravaganza featuring large ensembles Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Chorale, University Singers, Jazz Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra indispersed with chamber performances and solo artists.
Friday, October 31, 2025 @ 5:30pm Free Tickets
“A Little Fright Music” with
University Symphonic Band
Dr. Thomas McCauley, conductor
The University Symphonic Band is proud to partner with Toys for Tots for this special event. Admission is free, but tickets are required. In place of payment, all attendees are asked to bring one new, unwrapped toy to support the Toys for Tots drive. Audience members are also invited to join the fun by wearing costumes.
Saturday, November 1, 2025 @ 3pm Tickets
University Symphony Orchestra Concert
With Cali Immersive Residency Guest
Stefan Jackiw, violin
Kyle Ritenauer, conductor
Join the University Symphony Orchestra as they present an eclectic and entertaining evening of music featuring Cali Immersive Residency guest violinist Stefan Jackiw.
Saturday, November 1, 2025 @ 8pm Tickets
University Jazz Ensemble Concert
Dr. Oscar Perez, director
Join the University Jazz Ensemble as they play through classic and contemporary big band music. This speical concert will also feature the University Alumni Jazz Ensemble, directed by the Professor Emeritus and foudner of the Jazz Studies program, Dr. Jeffrey Kunkel.
Sunday, November 2, 2025 @ 3pm Tickets
University Singers & Vocal Accord Concert
Dr. Heather J. Buchanan, conductor
Introducing the 2025-26 choral program theme Sky Above Me – Earth Below Me – Fire Within Me via traditional & contemporary choral repertoire. Featuring alumna solo guest artist Maegan Hoogerhyde ’20, soprano and welcoming choral accompanist Greg Stout in his Cali debut.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 @ 7:30pm Tickets
University Symphonic Band & Campus Band Concert
Dr. Thomas McCauley and Theodora Sotiropoulos, conductors
Join the University Symphonic Band and Campus Band as they present an eclectic evening of music making.
Friday, December 5, 2025 @ 7:30pm Tickets
University Wind Symphony Concert
Dr. Thomas McCauley, conductor
The music of composers Shuying Li, David Maslanka, Jodie Blackshaw and others are featured in a program titled “Journeys Real and Imagined.”
Saturday, December 6, 2025 @ 8pm Tickets
University Choirs Concert
Dr. Heather J. Buchanan, conductor
A feast of traditional and modern masterworks: Vocal Accord’s world premiere performance There Will Come Soft Rains (Ian Kearney ’25); University Singers Messiah Highlights with student soloists; Chorale’s NJ premiere of co-commission Love (William Payn). Pre-concert presentation by composers @ 7 pm (lobby balcony) hosted by MSU-ACDA Chapter.
Sunday, December 7, 2025 @ 5pm; Tickets
Sunday, December 7, 2025 @ 7:30pm Tickets
Montclair State University
Opera Workshop Chamber Opera presents
The Medium
Gian Carlo Menotti, Librettist & Composer
Presented with chamber forces, featuring two pianists in place of full orchestra
Karen Driscoll, Director
William Hobbs & Ginny Stephens, Pianists & Musical preparation
Deborah Caney, Costume Designer & Coordinator
Lucas Pinner, Scenic Designer
Paige Elise Buchanan Stewart, Livestream Production
Come join us for Gian Carlo Menotti’s hauntingly beautiful opera, The Medium.
A psychological drama filled with mystery, tension, and lyrical intensity, The Medium tells the story of Madame Flora, a fraudulent spiritualist whose world unravels when the line between illusion and reality begins to blur.
With its gripping music, dramatic characters, and intimate storytelling, this short opera (in an hour) promises to be a powerful theatrical experience you won’t want to miss. SUNG IN ENGLISH
Content Advisory: The Medium contains depictions of séances, alcohol use, psychological distress, the use of a prop firearm and the sound of gunshots.
Friday, December 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm Tickets
University Orchestra Concert
Kyle Ritenauer, director
Join the University Symphony Orchestra as they present an eclectic and entertaining evening of music.
Sunday, December 14, 2025 @ 3pm Tickets
Crawford Memorial Concert
University Jazz Ensemble
with Jazzmeia Horn
Dr. Oscar Perez, director
For our fifth Crawford Concert offering, the University Jazz Ensemble will be joined by Grammy nominated vocalist Jazzmeia Horn. She is among the vanguard in jazz, using her knowledge of the canon to inform decisions firmly rooted in traditional parts of the genre, while still adding in contemporary ideas, themes and music.
FREE Tickets Required
SPRING 2026
Sunday, February 1, 2026 @ 3pm Tickets
Montclair State Mainstage Opera & University Symphony Orchestra presents
Janine Morita Colletti,Director
Kyle Ritenauer,Conductor
A dragon to be vanquished. A magic flute that conquers hearts. A queen whose rage blazes among the stars. A secretive order holding the power of the sun.
One of the most beloved operas of all time, Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is a dazzling adventure where fairy tale, comedy, and timeless wisdom meet. With music that soars from the hilarious to the sublime, it enchants audiences of all ages.
Follow Prince Tamino and Princess Pamina as they brave trials of fire, water, and silence in their search for love and enlightenment. Laugh with the irrepressible bird-catcher Papageno, and be swept away by the Queen of the Night’s blazing vengeance and show-stopping arias. Beneath its fantastical surface lies a story of courage, compassion, and the triumph of harmony over darkness.
Join us for an unforgettable journey of magic, music, and imagination.
Sung in German • Spoken dialogue in English (Janine Morita Colletti)
Friday, March 20, 2026 @ 7:30pm Tickets
University Wind Symphony & Cali Alumni Concert Band
Dr. Thomas McCauley, conductor
Join us in a concert celebrating Dr. Thomas McCauley’s 20th year as Director of University Bands! The program will feature the University Wind Symphony and a concert band comprised of alumni from the past 20 years. The program will also include the winner of the 2025-2026 Wind Symphony Concerto Competition.
Saturday, March 21, 2026 @ 8pm Tickets
Choral Showcase #Inspired! & Immersive Residency Concert
Dr. Anton Armstrong & Dr. Heather J. Buchanan, conductors; Greg Stout, accompanist
Celebrating the transformative and unifying force of choral music. Featuring Cali Immersive Residency guest conductor Dr. Anton Armstrong and 5 choirs: Vocal Accord, University Singers, two HS choir showcase artists – Hillsborough HS Chamber Singers (Ashley Mathews, conductor) and TBA. Culminating in a massed choir performing music by Susan LaBarr, André Thomas, and Rollo Dilworth.
Sunday, March 22, 2026 @ 3pm Tickets
University Jazz Ensemble & Guest High School Concert
Dr. Oscar Perez, director
Experience an exciting evening of jazz as the University Jazz Ensemble and a guest high school group perform classics by jazz masters and bold contemporary works. From swing to modern grooves, this concert showcases the full spectrum of jazz with fresh energy and exceptional student talent.
Sunday, March 22, 2026 @ 7:30pm Tickets
University Symphony Orchestra Concert
Kyle Ritenauer, conductor
Join the University Symphony Orchestra as they present an eclectic and entertaining evening of music.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 @ 7:30pm Tickets
University Symphonic Band & Campus Band Concert
Dr. Thomas McCauley and Theodora Sotiropoulos, conductors
Join us for an ecletic evening of wind music featuring the University Symphonic Band and Campus Band.
Friday, April 24, 2026 @ 7:30pm Tickets
University Wind Symphony Concert
Dr. Thomas McCauley, director
The University Wind Symphony’s program “Reminiscences” will feature the music of composers Jennifer Jolley. Erica Svanoe, David Maslanka, James Barnes, and William Bolcom.
Saturday, April 25, 2026 @ 8pm Tickets
Vocal Accord, University Singers & Orchestra Concert
Dr. Heather J. Buchanan and Kyle Ritenauer, conductors; Greg Stout, accompanist
Illuminating the theme Sky Above Me – Earth Below Me – Fire Within Me through diverse choral music that speaks to our aspirations and limitless potential, need for connection and community, and expression of passion and purpose.
Sunday, April 26, 2026 @ 3pm Tickets
University Jazz Ensemble Concert
Dr. Oscar Perez, director
The University Jazz Ensemble plays the repertoire of the great jazz masters as well as modern arrangements and contemporary music.
Cali Midweek Series
Leshowitz Recital Hall, Chapin Hall
FALL 2025
09/03/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Faculty Showcase
09/10/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Artist-in-Residence
Leyla McCalla
09/17/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Musicians’ Health
with Jennifer Johnson
09/24/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Brass & Woodwinds Recital
10/08/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Piano & Guitar Recital
10/15/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Cali Immersive Residency:
Samora Pinderhughes
10/29/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Cali Immersive Residency:
Stefan Jackiw
11/05/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Strings & Voice Recital
11/12/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Cali Immersive Residency:
Kronos Quartet
11/19/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Chamber Music Recital
12/03/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Collegium Musicum Recital
12/10/2025 Wed 2:00 PM
Cali Immersive Residency with Jazzmeia Horn
SPRING 2026
01/21/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Annual Sacher Lecture
01/28/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Faculty Jazz Combo
02/04/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Cali Immersive Residency:
Cecile McLorin Salvant
02/11/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Percussion Recital
02/18/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Strings Recital
2/25/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Piano Recital
03/04/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Composition Recital
03/18/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Brass Recital
03/25/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Woodwinds Recital
04/01/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Voice
04/08/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
African Drumming & Balkan Ensemble
04/15/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Chamber Music Recital
04/22/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Graduate Student Recital
04/29/2026 Wed 2:00 PM
Cali Awards Celebration
973-655-5112
montclair.edu/arts/tickets
All Montclair State Undergrads receive a FREE ticket with a valid ID!
This season’s programs are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.