Grand Valley State University Music Program

10/10/2026

Starting tomorrow (10/11), we have a great slate of Music events happening between now and Fall Break on GVSU's Valley Campus!

Learn more about these and other upcoming events at the link in the comments!

*Reminder that free parking for Haas Center events is now limited to Lot H.

10/09/2026

Announcing our 2026-2027 Music Program Audition Dates!

All students looking to major or minor in Music at GVSU must complete an audition at one of the following in-person dates:

Saturday, November 14, 2026
Friday, February 5, 2027
Saturday, February 20, 2027
Saturday, March 20, 2027
Friday, April 9, 2027

Learn more about the audition process at the link in the comments!

10/09/2026

An Important Update On Parking for Our Audience Members

This week, GVSU implemented a new policy that GVSU parking lots will be closed to anyone who is not a faculty, staff, student, or registered guest beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday through 3 a.m. Monday morning when regular parking permits are required.

We have worked with our partners on campus to reserve Lot H for all weekend MTD events, so that our patrons can continue to park for free and conveniently close to the Haas Center for Performing Arts.

Thank you for your continued support of the arts on campus - we look forward to seeing you at one of our events soon! 💙⚓

10/06/2026

We still have space in our Fall Oboe Reed Making Workshop - register by October 15th!

Join us for a hands-on introduction to oboe reed making led by Dr. Marlen Vavrikova, Professor of Oboe at Grand Valley State University. The workshop will focus on creating a functional, playable reed through basic scrape and knife-scraping techniques. No prior reed-making experience is required, and all tools, equipment, and materials will be provided.

Registration is $20. Participation is limited to ensure individualized instruction and a safe learning environment. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit the "Camps and Instrument Days" link in the comments to learn more!

09/24/2026

We still have some spots available for our upcoming High School Voice Day!

This all-day event will feature a building tour led by GVSU voice students, masterclass with GVSU voice faculty, a vocal health seminar, a performance featuring our current students, a pizza lunch provided by GVSU, and a choral side-by-side rehearsal.

Participation will be determined on a first-come-first-serve basis and limited to ten students per high school.

Learn more at the link in our bio for "Camps and Instrument Days"

09/21/2026

Tonight, join us in Sherman van Solkema Recital Hall for

FREE PLAY 54: Timothy McAllister, saxophone and Liz Ames, piano
7:30 p.m.
SVS
Free and open to the public

Timothy McAllister is one of the world's leading classical saxophonists, internationally acclaimed for his virtuosic performances, Grammy-winning recordings, and groundbreaking collaborations with composers. A member of the acclaimed PRISM Quartet and Professor of Saxophone at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, he has premiered hundreds of new works and performed with many of the world's foremost orchestras.

Liz Ames is an acclaimed collaborative pianist, educator, and chamber musician recognized for her expressive artistry and versatility across contemporary and classical repertoire. A sought-after performer and coach, she has appeared at major festivals and universities throughout the United States, collaborating with leading instrumentalists and vocalists in performances that combine technical refinement with musical depth.

09/18/2026

The Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Grand Valley State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola position to begin Fall 2027. Applicants are expected to have a graduate degree in violin and/or viola performance. Individuals from all backgrounds, including from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be able to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and community members with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Learn more and apply at the link below!

Summary: The Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Grand Valley State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola position to begin Fall 2027. Applicants are expected to have a graduate degree in violin and/or viola performance. Individuals from al...

09/18/2026

Tonight in Sherman van Solkema Recital Hall:

Faculty Artist Recital: Pablo Mahave-Veglia, cello with Paulina Zamora, piano
7:30 PM
SVS
Free and open to the public

09/17/2026

Tonight, join us for our first guest artist recital of the school year!

Ayunia Indri Saputro, “Imagining Gamelan at the Piano”
7:30 PM
Sherman van Solkema Recital Hall
Free and open to the public

*This event is co-sponsored by University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

ABOUT THE PERFORMER
Ayunia Indri Saputro is a pianist and educator from Surabaya, Indonesia. She has been awarded the Robert Rogers Prize in Piano and the Marnie Carter Music Scholarship at the University of British Columbia, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance, studying under Mark Anderson and Rena Sharon.

Ayunia received the Joanne Smith Award in Teaching from the University of Michigan, where she completed her Master’s degree in piano pedagogy and performance, studying under Christopher Harding, John Ellis, and Aya Hagelthorn. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree in piano pedagogy and performance at the University of Michigan. Ayunia aspires to always share the joy of learning and making music through both her performances and teaching.

06/02/2026

After serving as a Visiting Professor last year, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Ryan Christianson to GVSU full-time as Assistant Professor of Trombone and Jazz!

Ryan Christianson is a multifaceted performer and educator whose career has spanned numerous styles and settings. As the trombonist of the internationally-touring Dallas Brass, Ryan has presented masterclasses and performances around the country including at such institutions as the Colburn School, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Big Sky Classical Music Festival, and the OK Mozart Festival as well as numerous other MEAs, universities, and concert halls. Ryan has also held positions with the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra and Millikin-Decatur Symphony and appeared as a guest artist and soloist at universities and trombone days across the Midwest.

In addition to his work as a classical trombonist, Ryan maintains a prominent career as a freelance commercial and jazz performer. Notable appearances as a commercial musician include at the North Coast Music Festival with EDM artist Diplo, on ABC’s Shark Tank with the McNasty Brass Band, and opening for Bruno Mars at the 2023 Illinois Gubernatorial Inauguration. As a jazz artist, Ryan has appeared with groups at the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, and in residencies with big bands and New Orleans-style brass bands at a variety of venues across the Chicagoland area. Additionally, Ryan was a finalist in the International Trombone Association’s Carl Fontana Competition in 2014.

A dedicated educator, Ryan has previously held positions at Millikin University and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Prior to college teaching, he maintained a studio of middle and high school students through which students were regularly placed in the top honor bands, orchestras, and jazz bands in Illinois. Ryan holds a DMA in Trombone Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a MM in Jazz Composition from DePaul University, and a BM in Trombone Performance from the University of Minnesota. He is a performing artist and clinician for Conn-Selmer instruments and Denis Wick mouthpieces and mutes.