Fall 2025 Performances
Relic Ensemble
September 12, 2025
Part of Relic’s fourth U.S. concert tour, this will be the group's inaugural performance at The University of Scranton, though individual members have graced the stage of Houlihan-McLean in seasons past. The tour debuts Relic’s newest program, “The Spheres,” which takes audiences on a breathtaking journey through the cosmos by bringing to life the rich mythology of the celestial spheres through works by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and others. Lauded as “stylish and innovative” (New York Classical Review), Relic’s programming uses narrative “chapters” to unite a variety of repertoire into a breathtaking concert experience, capturing the hearts of new and seasoned concertgoers alike. Founded in 2022, Relic is committed to taking early music across the U.S. and brings it to dozens of communities each season. Relic’s recent presenters include Chamber Music Detroit, Academy of Early Music, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Indianapolis Early Music Festival, Western Michigan University and Gotham Early Music Scene, and the current season includes performances in Ohio; Michigan; Washington, D.C.; Maryland; and Virginia. Committed to sharing their passion for early music with students of all ages, Relic members have given workshops, masterclasses, and side-by-side performances at numerous schools. Most recently, Relic engaged in residencies at University of Maryland, Washington International School and Kalamazoo College. Relic actively seeks community engagement opportunities, offering children’s concerts, performances in nontraditional venues and open rehearsals in many of the regions it visits.
Kyle Athayde Dance Party
September 27, 2025
Kyle Athayde Dance Party descends on The University of Scranton with double-header concerts and a masterclass as highlights of Family Weekend.
The San Francisco/New York based big band is an 18-piece group of traditional big band instrumentation that is anything but traditional. Acclaimed for its versatility in the wide scope of styles it performs, KADP boasts an impressive roster of accomplished young jazz virtuosi. Its leader and founder is genius composer and arranger Kyle Athayde, a San Francisco Bay Area-based performer, teacher and bandleader. Kyle's writing and programming draws inspiration from a variety of sources ranging from video games and internet memes to jazz and classical masterworks. In addition to original music, Kyle also writes arrangements of well-known and popular songs, while still retaining the unique sound and excitement for which the Dance Party is known. KADP comes together from the four corners of the U.S. to tour just a few times a year and has performed in venues ranging from Sitka and Juneau (Alaska) Jazz Festivals to Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
KADP’s one-of-a-kind children’s jazz concerts offer something for everyone. Built around imaginative, jazz-infused arrangements of beloved children's songs like “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “The Wheels on the Bus” and “Five Speckled Frogs,” the show is a celebration of music that is fun, thoughtful and accessible for all ages. Through thoughtful programming, Kyle strikes a rare balance—creating music that delights young audiences, educates newcomers to jazz, and satisfies even the most seasoned listener. Each tune is treated with care and creativity, turning familiar melodies into vibrant, jazz experiences that introduce kids to rhythm, improvisation and musical storytelling. Whether you’re a toddler, a jazz-curious parent or a lifelong music lover, this is a show where everyone walks away with something—joy, discovery or simply a deeper appreciation for jazz.
General Recital featuring University of Scranton Student Musicians
October 8, 2025
Student musicians from Performance Music at The University of Scranton will perform solo, duet, trio and small group renditions of various repertoire. Smaller groups are made up of members within the large ensembles and may include: Steel Drum Band, Saxophone Ensemble, String Quartet, Flute Ensemble, Brass Quartet, Percussion Ensemble and solos, duos, trios and small vocal groups. The primary focus of Performance Music at The University of Scranton is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. Because there is no music major at the University, all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible for membership in bands, choirs, string ensembles and steel drum band with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year.
University of Scranton Jazz Band featuring Guest Soloist Marion Felder, Drums
October 25, 2025
Hailing from Detroit, drummer Marion Felder brings a dynamic blend of tradition, versatility and world-class training to the stage. A seasoned performer, he is currently touring and recording with Michael Bublé. Felder has performed with a wide range of acclaimed artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Victor Goines, Carmen Bradford, Delfeayo Marsalis, Paul Simon, Van Morrison and Hank Jones. He has been the drummer with the Wycliffe Gordon Quintet, the Count Basie Orchestra and The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Felder earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at The Juilliard School on a full scholarship. The University of Scranton Jazz Band is a 25-member ensemble of big band style instrumentation made up of University of Scranton student musicians from majors spanning the curriculum. They perform five or more times per year. The majority of their performances are open to the public with free admission, and often feature a nationally or internationally renowned guest soloist.
Phantom of the Pipes featuring Christopher Johnson, Organ
October 31, 2025
A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Christopher Johnson is a member of acclaimed chamber orchestra The Knights. He serves as director of music and organist at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Scranton along with director of chapel music at The Interchurch Center, located in New York City on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Johnson's previous appointments include director of music and organist at The Riverside Church in New York City, artist-in-residence at Union Theological Seminary and director of music and organist for the Woodstock/St. Paul Community at Columbia University. He also served as assistant organist at Christ Church United Methodist in Manhattan. While Johnson pursued undergraduate and graduate studies at The Cleveland Institute of Music, Manhattan School of Music and Yale’s Institute of Sacred Music, his teachers included Adeline Huss, Todd Wilson and Thomas Murray for organ studies, and Joshua Smith, John Mack and Robert Vernon for orchestral studies. As a flutist and organist, he performs regularly with Ensemble Eccolo, a chamber ensemble based in Altenburg, Germany, presenting concerts throughout Europe and the Middle East. An enthusiastic flyer and lover of languages, Chris is a type-rated commercial pilot with five flight and ground instructor ratings who speaks German, Norwegian and Egyptian Arabic.
In Concert: University of Scranton String Orchestra
November 14, 2025
The University of Scranton String Orchestra is a 35+ member ensemble comprised of members of the University community from majors and departments spanning the curriculum. Most are undergraduate students, accompanied by a few graduate students, alumni and members of the faculty. None are music majors; all are brought together by their mutual love of music.
In Concert: University of Scranton Symphonic Band
November 22, 2025
The University of Scranton Symphonic Band is a 70+ member ensemble comprised of members of the University community from majors and departments spanning the curriculum. The vast majority are undergraduate students, accompanied by a few graduate students, alumni and members of the faculty. None are music majors; all are brought together by their mutual love of music to perform five concerts per year.
58th Annual Noel Night
Featuring The University Singers, String Orchestra, and Chamber Ensembles
December 6, 2025
The University’s Christmas gift to the community, Noel Night is a beloved holiday tradition for Scranton-area residents and the school community. Rev. Edward Gannon, S.J., founded the event more than a half-century ago. This year’s Noel Night will feature The University of Scranton Singers and Chamber Ensembles and include a prelude by The University of Scranton String Orchestra and Flute Ensemble. Harpist Margaret Davis is a multi-genre harpist based in Houston. As a classical player, she regularly performs with professional orchestras such as the Houston, Kansas City and St. Louis Symphonies. She participates in solo, choral and chamber music performances throughout North America, and previously collaborated with jazz guitarist and vocalist Vilray on his debut single, “Even in the Evening.” Davis graduated with a Bachelor of Harp degree from The Juilliard School and earned her Master of Music degree from Yale School of Music. Pianist Ron Stabinsky is best known nationally as a member of the band Mostly Other People Do The Killing, the reunited rock group Meat Puppets, Relache Ensemble and The Peter Evans Ensemble. A classical solo and orchestral pianist, straight-ahead jazz musician, occasional rock musician and accomplished free improviser, he enjoys making music in stylistically diverse situations throughout the U.S. and Europe with a variety of musicians and ensembles.
Scranton Brass Orchestra Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert
December 14, 2025
The Scranton Brass Orchestra is a fully professional 27-member ensemble, founded in 2011. Comprised of brass players and teachers from the region, membership is by invitation. The group's performances are free and open to the public, and feature nationally and internationally acclaimed guest artists, including many of the most respected brass players of our time. The group made its debut before hundreds of appreciative audience members in June 2011, and has since garnered acclaim from both listeners and musicians. Admission charge for this concert is one new unwrapped toy, new toiletry items or a cash donation. All proceeds directly benefit local families in need.