Montclair State University \u2014 John J. Cali School of Music<\/p>\n
The 2025\/26 Season John J. Cali School of Music<\/strong><\/p>\n FALL 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n Friday, October 3, 2025 @ 7:30pm; Tickets<\/a>\u00a0<\/em> Friday, October 31, 2025 @ 5:30pm Free Tickets<\/em><\/a> Saturday, November 1, 2025 @ 3pm Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a> Saturday, November 1, 2025 @ 8pm Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a> Sunday, November 2, 2025 @ 3pm Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a> Tuesday, December 2, 2025 @ 7:30pm Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a> Friday, December 5, 2025 @ 7:30pm Tickets\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/a> Saturday, December 6, 2025 @ 8pm Tickets<\/a>\u00a0<\/em> Sunday, December 7, 2025 @ 5pm; Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a> Content Advisory:\u00a0<\/strong>The Medium contains depictions of s\u00e9ances, alcohol use, psychological distress, the use of a prop firearm and the sound of gunshots.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Friday, December 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a> Sunday, December 14, 2025 @ 3pm Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a> <\/p>\n SPRING 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the most beloved operas of all time, Mozart\u2019s\u00a0Die Zauberfl\u00f6te<\/em>\u00a0(The Magic Flute<\/em>) is a\u00a0dazzling adventure where fairy tale, comedy, and timeless wisdom meet.\u00a0\u00a0With music that soars from the hilarious to the sublime, it enchants audiences of all ages.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s blazing vengeance and show-stopping arias. Beneath its fantastical surface lies a story of courage, compassion, and the triumph of harmony over darkness.<\/p>\n Join us for an unforgettable journey of magic, music, and imagination. Friday, March 20, 2026 @ 7:30pm Tickets<\/em><\/a> Saturday, March 21, 2026 @ 8pm Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a> \u00a0In addition to Hillsborough HS Chamber Singers, NJ (Ashley Mathews, conductor<\/em>) we are featuring the Herricks HS Chamber Choir, NY (Louise O\u2019Hanlon,\u00a0conductor<\/em>). The Massed Choir will include 220 singers from Montclair State, Hillsborough HS, Herrick HS, Fort Lee HS and Passaic Arts & Science HS.<\/p>\n Sunday, March 22, 2026 @ 3pm Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a> Tuesday, April 21, 2026 @ 7:30pm Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a> Friday, April 24, 2026 @ 7:30pm Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a>
\nSaturday, October 4, 2025 @ 8pm Tickets\u00a0<\/em><\/a>
\nKaleidoscope
\n<\/strong>The Cali School’s season opening concert, Kaleidoscope<\/strong> 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.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n“A Little Fright Music” with
\nUniversity Symphonic Band
\nDr. Thomas McCauley<\/strong>, conductor
\n<\/em>The University Symphonic Band is proud to partner with Toys for Tots\u00a0<\/strong>for this special event.\u00a0Admission is free, but tickets are required.<\/strong>\u00a0In place of payment, all attendees are asked to bring one new, unwrapped toy to support the Toys for Tots drive. <\/em>Audience members are also invited to join the fun by wearing costumes.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nUniversity Symphony Orchestra Concert
\n<\/strong>With Cali Immersive Residency Guest
\nStefan Jackiw<\/strong>, violin
\n<\/em>Kyle Ritenauer<\/strong>, conductor
\n<\/em>Join the University Symphony Orchestra as they present an eclectic and entertaining evening of music featuring Cali Immersive Residency guest violinist Stefan Jackiw<\/strong>.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\nUniversity Jazz Ensemble Concert<\/strong>
\nDr. Oscar Perez, director<\/em>
\nJoin 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nUniversity Singers & Vocal Accord Concert<\/strong>
\nDr. Heather J. Buchanan, conductor
\n<\/em>Introducing the 2025-26 choral program theme Sky Above Me – Earth Below Me – Fire Within Me<\/em> via traditional & contemporary choral repertoire. Featuring alumna solo guest artist Maegan Hoogerhyde ’20, soprano<\/em> and welcoming choral accompanist Greg Stout in his Cali debut.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\nUniversity Symphonic Band & Campus Band Concert<\/strong>
\nDr. Thomas McCauley and Theodora Sotiropoulos, conductors
\n<\/em>Join the University Symphonic Band and Campus Band as they present an eclectic evening of music making.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\nUniversity Wind Symphony Concert
\n<\/strong>Dr. Thomas McCauley, conductor
\n<\/em>The music of composers Shuying Li, David Maslanka, Jodie Blackshaw and others are featured in a program titled “Journeys Real and Imagined.”
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\nUniversity Choirs Concert<\/strong>
\nDr. Heather J. Buchanan, conductor
\n<\/em>A feast of traditional and modern masterworks: Vocal Accord\u2019s world premiere performance There Will Come Soft Rains<\/em> (Ian Kearney ’25); University Singers Messiah Highlights<\/em> with student soloists; Chorale\u2019s NJ premiere of co-commission Love<\/em> (William Payn). Pre-concert presentation by composers @ 7 pm (lobby balcony) hosted by MSU-ACDA Chapter.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSunday, December 7, 2025 @ 7:30pm Tickets<\/a>
\n<\/em>Montclair State University
\n<\/strong>Opera\u00a0Workshop Chamber\u00a0Opera\u00a0presents
\n<\/strong>The Medium
\n<\/strong>Gian Carlo Menotti, Librettist & Composer
\nPresented with chamber forces, featuring two pianists in place of full orchestra
\n<\/em>Karen Driscoll,\u00a0<\/strong>Director
\n<\/em>William Hobbs & Ginny Stephens,\u00a0<\/strong>Pianists & Musical preparation
\n<\/em>Deborah Caney,\u00a0<\/strong>Costume Designer & Coordinator
\n<\/em>Lucas Pinner,\u00a0<\/strong>Scenic Designer
\n<\/em>Paige Elise Buchanan Stewart,<\/strong>\u00a0Livestream Production
\n<\/em>Come join us for Gian Carlo Menotti\u2019s hauntingly beautiful opera,\u00a0The Medium<\/em><\/strong>.
\nA psychological drama filled with mystery, tension, and lyrical intensity, The Medium<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>tells the story of Madame Flora, a fraudulent spiritualist whose world unravels when the line between illusion and reality begins to blur.
\nWith its gripping music, dramatic characters, and intimate storytelling, this short opera (in an hour) promises to be a powerful theatrical experience you won\u2019t want to miss. SUNG IN ENGLISH<\/p>\n
\nUniversity Orchestra Concert\u00a0<\/strong>
\nKyle Ritenauer, director
\n<\/em>Join the University Symphony Orchestra as they present an eclectic and entertaining evening of music.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\nCrawford Memorial Concert<\/strong>
\nUniversity Jazz Ensemble
\nwith Jazzmeia Horn\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>
\nDr. Oscar Perez, director
\n<\/em>For our fifth Crawford Concert offering, the University Jazz Ensemble will be joined by Grammy nominated vocalist Jazzmeia Horn<\/strong>. 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.
\nFREE Tickets Required<\/p>\n
\nSunday, February 1, 2026 @ 3pm Tickets<\/a>
\n<\/em>Montclair State <\/strong>Mainstage\u00a0Opera\u00a0& University\u00a0<\/strong>Symphony Orchestra\u00a0<\/strong>presents<\/div>\n
\n<\/span>Janine Morita Colletti,<\/strong>Director<\/em>
\nKyle Ritenauer,<\/strong>Conductor<\/em><\/div>\n
\nSung in German \u2022 Spoken dialogue in English (Janine Morita Colletti)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nUniversity Wind Symphony & Cali Alumni Concert Band<\/strong>
\nDr. Thomas McCauley, conductor
\n<\/em>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.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\n#INSPIRED! Choral Showcase & Immersive Residency Concert
\n<\/strong>Dr. Anton Armstrong & Dr. Heather J. Buchanan, conductors<\/em>; Greg Stout, accompanist<\/em>
\nCelebrating 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 Herricks HS Chamber Choir, NY (Louise O\u2019Hanlon,\u00a0conductor<\/em>). Culminating in a Massed Choir including 220 singers from Montclair State University, Hillsborough HS, Herrick HS, Fort Lee HS, and Passaic Arts & Science HS, performing music by Susan LaBarr, Andr\u00e9 Thomas, and Rollo Dilworth.<\/p>\n
\nUniversity Jazz Ensemble & Guest High School Concert<\/strong>
\nDr. Oscar Perez, director
\n<\/em>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.<\/p>\n
\nUniversity Symphonic Band & Campus Band Concert\u00a0<\/strong>
\nDr. Thomas McCauley and Theodora Sotiropoulos, conductors
\n<\/em>Join us for an ecletic evening of wind music featuring the University Symphonic Band and Campus Band.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\nUniversity Wind Symphony Concert<\/strong>
\nDr. Thomas McCauley, director
\n<\/em>The University Wind Symphony’s program “Reminiscences” will feature the music of composers Jennifer Jolley. Erica Svanoe, David Maslanka, James Barnes, and William Bolcom.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n