Dana School of Music

09/19/2026

This week, we kicked off our Fall 2026 Music at Noon performance series with a wonderful recital from Opera Western Reserve! 👏

Make sure you check out Opera Western Reserve’s upcoming Opera, “Pagliacci” by Ruggero Leoncavallo, on Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. at DeYor Performing Arts Center. 🎶

Tickets are available here: operawesternreserve.org/performances/pagliacci-2026/

09/18/2026

This week, the Dana School of Music and Youngstown State University Foundation kicked off the Crescendo Campaign, a $15 million campaign to secure Dana’s long-term sustainability.

Through endowment funding, this campaign will provide annual financial support for Dana’s operations, faculty, and scholarships, helping to sustain the school’s incredible legacy and create a lasting positive impact on the community. That impact can be seen throughout the region, where the majority of music educators in the tri-county area are Dana alumni.

We are incredibly thankful for the continued generosity, encouragement, and support of the YSU Foundation and our community as we invest in Dana’s future.

Thank you to the Amedia family for providing the venue, Firefly Farm in Canfield, and AVI Food systems for providing food and drinks for the event.

09/16/2026

🎶 High school musicians are invited to join us for our Side-by-Side Honor Band on November 1, 2026, where they will learn and perform alongside Dana School of Music students and world-class faculty artists!

High school musicians will begin their day at YSU’s Bliss Hall, where they will sharpen their skills and attend masterclasses with our faculty. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with our current students as they prepare for an unforgettable concert!

The day will conclude with a concert at 7:00 p.m. inside Stambaugh Auditorium, one of the area’s best concert halls! The program includes a diverse and captivating selection of pieces, featuring Children’s March by Percy Grainger, Allerseelen by Richard Strauss, and Festal Scenes by Yasuhide Ito.

🐧 Interested in participating in our Side-by-Side Honor Band? Learn more and register through the link here: https://academics.ysu.edu/dana-school-of-music/high-school-honor-band

09/10/2026

The Music at Noon Performance Series is back for the Fall 2026 semester!! 🎶✨

Join us on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Butler Institute of American Art and enjoy wonderful performances by our Dana School of Music students, faculty, and guests!

Want to learn more about our events? Visit ysu.edu/cccaevents! 🐧

09/08/2026

Check out the Merch Store and support the YSU Marching Pride and Pep Band!! 🐧🎶

In case you didn’t hear,
Our Merch Store is live!��We teamed up with BSN Sports to release our own Nike YSUMP Merchandise!
Order your official YSU Marching Pride gear, available from now until September 14th, using the link in our story or description

https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/YSUBAND262

Purchases will not be available after the deadline

09/05/2026

Discover what’s possible at the Dana School of Music! 🎶 Join us for our Open House on October 14, 2026, and experience the people, programs, and opportunities that make Dana special.

Prospective students and their families will have the opportunity to meet our world-class faculty, participate in ensembles and clinics, hear from current music students, explore our facilities, and so much more!

Whether you dream of performing, teaching, or producing, come discover how the Dana School of Music at YSU can help turn your passion for music into your career. 👏

➡️ To learn more and register, visit

Music major for a dayCurious about pursuing Music as a career? Join us for the YSU Music and Theatre Open House and get an insider’s view of our vibrant performing arts community. You'll spend the day interacting with current students and faculty, exploring our facilities, and experiencing firstha...

08/31/2026

🎶 Early this August, Michael Widjaja, a graduate conducting student at the Dana School of Music, founded and conducted the inaugural concert of the Siouxland Chamber Orchestra in Sioux City, Iowa!

The Siouxland Chamber Orchestra is a new professional chamber orchestra founded by Michael to bring high-quality orchestral performances to the tri-state area of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

The ensemble’s inaugural concert, Wildflowers, featured works by Gustav Holst, W. A. Mozart, Benjamin Britten, and others, and brought together professional musicians from across the region. Michael served as the orchestra’s founder and conductor, leading the ensemble through its inaugural performance on August 2.

We’re proud to see Michael representing the Dana School of Music as he continues to develop as a conductor and build meaningful musical opportunities in his community! 👏

08/19/2026

The Dana School of Music mourns the loss of Dr. Dave Morgan, Professor of Composition and Bass at Youngstown State University.

Throughout his 25-year tenure, Dave Morgan’s humble and generous presence made an immeasurable impact on the Dana School of Music and generations of musicians.

Dave Morgan was a brilliant teacher, composer, bassist, and human. The beauty that surrounded his life was embedded in his musicianship and teaching. His legacy will live on in the musicians he taught, the music he created, and the lives he touched.

We extend our most heartfelt wishes to Dave Morgan’s friends and family.

08/06/2026

From unforgettable performances to lifelong friendships, Dana School of Music alumni reflect on the experiences that shaped their journeys and continue to inspire them today. ✨ Youngstown State Alumni Engagement

08/03/2026

Earlier this summer, Ryan Lamb, a senior music performance major, attended the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute in Denver, Colorado! 👏

Throughout the week, Ryan learned from world-renowned brass professionals including Timothy Northcut (CCM), Aaron Tindall (Naples Philharmonic/Miami/Colburn), Warren Deck (former Principal Tuba of the New York Philharmonic), and John Lofton (Bass Trombone, Los Angeles Philharmonic).

The institute featured seminars, masterclasses, chamber coaching, and private lessons, providing an immersive learning experience. Ryan also qualified as a finalist in their official mock audition competition!

We're proud to see Ryan representing the Dana School of Music with excellence as he continues to grow as a musician. 🐧