Kicking things off, the Elon Music Ambassadors will present “Songs of Summer: Celebrating the Music that Makes Every Summer Unforgettable” on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre. Directed by Virginia Novine-Whittaker, this dynamic vocal and instrumental ensemble blends pop, jazz and contemporary favorites to capture the warmth and energy of the season. The program promises a mix of familiar melodies and feel-good moments that reflect both the memories of summers past and those still to come.

Later that week, audiences can take a step back in time with the Mixed Tape Concert – Music from the 60’s and 70’s on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Life Center at Elon Community Church. Directed by Stephen A. Futrell, élán – Elon vocal jazz will perform alongside a rhythm section, bringing to life classic hits from artists like ABBA, The Carpenters, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel and Neil Diamond. With Beatles and Motown medleys woven throughout the program, the concert invites audiences to sing along and fully immerse themselves in the music.

The celebrations continue into May with the Elon Concert Band’s spring performance, “Visions, Vibes, and Tales,” on Tuesday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre. Directed by Michael Phillips, the concert will showcase a wide range of music and feature a graduating senior Production Technology student as an electric guitar soloist. The evening will conclude with an interactive piece, encouraging audience members to join in by singing or whistling along.

Closing out the series, the Elon Wind Ensemble will present its spring concert, “A Semiquincentennial Celebration,” on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre. Conducted by Jonathan Poquette, the ensemble will perform a variety of Americana works in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The performance will also feature soprano soloist Polly Cornelius, adding another layer of artistry to a program designed to celebrate the richness and diversity of American music.

Directed by Assistant Professor of Music Alex Heitlinger, the concert centers around the music of Sun Ra, a visionary artist known for blending jazz, philosophy and Afrofuturism into a sound unlike any other. His work blurs the lines between swing and avant-garde, drawing inspiration from ancient Egypt, outer space and beyond. Through this performance, audiences will step into what Sun Ra described as a “universe of sound,” where music becomes both an artistic and conceptual experience.

Throughout his life, Sun Ra—born Herman Poole Blount—crafted a persona as unique as his music. He famously claimed to have been transported to Saturn in the 1930s and instructed by alien beings to share his message through music. Whether symbolic or sincere, this narrative became central to his artistic identity. Beyond the mythology, Sun Ra was a groundbreaking innovator: one of the first jazz musicians to experiment with electronic synthesizers and among the earliest Black artists to establish an independent record label. His ensemble, known as the Sun Ra Arkestra, has continued performing for decades, carrying forward his legacy through electrifying, theatrical performances.

The April 24 concert will reflect that same spirit of creativity and unpredictability. The evening will feature two distinct sets: an opening small group performance showcasing works by Sun Ra and his contemporaries, followed by a high-energy big band set with more than 20 musicians and multiple vocalists. Adding to the immersive experience, Heidi Jo Schiemer, costume designer for Performing Arts, has created intergalactic attire inspired by Sun Ra’s signature style—complete with nods to both ancient Egyptian and cosmic themes.

While Sun Ra’s music is often described as experimental or avant-garde, it remains deeply rooted in the traditions of big band swing. This combination makes the performance both musically sophisticated and highly engaging—equally suited for close listening and pure enjoyment. Audiences can expect a concert that is as entertaining and danceable as it is imaginative.

Sponsored by the Department of Music, this performance promises to be one of the most unique musical events on campus this year. With its fusion of sound, storytelling, and visual spectacle, the Elon Jazz Ensembles’ tribute to Sun Ra invites audiences to embrace the unexpected and experience music in an entirely new way.

On April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre, the Elon Orchestra, conducted by Stephen A. Futrell, will bring this powerful element of storytelling to life. Performing selections from one of the most iconic film score series — “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” —the orchestra will highlight how music alone can capture character, tension and emotion in ways that transcend the screen.

Composed by Academy Award-winning composer Howard Shore, the music of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” is widely recognized for its complexity and emotional depth. Film scoring, Futrell explains, has long been closely tied to classical music traditions, using recurring themes and motifs to represent characters, settings and emotional shifts. These musical elements heighten tension, signal resolution and guide the audience’s emotional experience throughout a story. While film is often considered a form of popular entertainment, its scores are often just as thoughtfully constructed and artistically rich as traditional symphonies. For the student musicians of the Elon Orchestra, performing this repertoire offers a unique opportunity to explore that connection and engage with music that bridges the classical and popular worlds.

While the orchestra explores cinematic storytelling through sound, élan will take a different approach—bringing audiences back to the music of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Performing on April 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Elon Community Church, the ensemble will present a dynamic and nostalgic program featuring some of the most recognizable hits of the era.

The concert will include a wide range of artists and styles, from a powerful vocal arrangement of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’” to a Beatles medley featuring classics like “Let It Be,” “Hey Jude” and “The Long and Winding Road.” The program also highlights Motown with a Stevie Wonder medley, alongside music from artists such as the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye and Ashford & Simpson. In addition, audiences will hear selections from Paul Simon, including “Loves Me Like a Rock,” “Mother & Child Reunion” and a gospel-inspired arrangement of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Together, these performances highlight the versatility and artistry of Elon’s student musicians, showcasing music’s ability to tell stories across genres and generations. From the sweeping, cinematic scores of Middle-earth to the timeless hits that defined an era, both concerts offer audiences a chance to experience the power of music in different but equally compelling ways. Whether drawn by nostalgia, storytelling, or a love of live performance, attendees can expect engaging and memorable evenings that celebrate both tradition and creativity within Elon’s music community.

On Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Yeager Recital Hall, audiences will experience the Elon Percussion Ensemble Fall Concert, directed by Daniel Hartung and Alex Richard. The concert features both traditional and “found object” instruments — proving that rhythm and resonance can come from the most unexpected sources.

Hartung describes his inspiration as rooted in the “endless possibilities of sound exploration.” By incorporating materials such as glass, wood, porcelain, metal, and rubber, the ensemble creates a palette of textures and tones that push the boundaries of what percussion can be. In an acoustically rich space like Yeager Recital Hall, these unconventional sounds take on new life, exposing and amplifying their natural beauty.

Each piece in the program is chosen to serve a distinct purpose, shaping the concert’s tone from “loud and bombastic drumming” to “gentle marimba chorales.” The performance draws on diverse musical traditions — including Afro-Cuban Orisha drumming, Western contemporary classical works, Northern European avant-garde performance art and even an arrangement of a Béla Fleck bluegrass classic.

“My hope is that the audience will better understand the breadth and depth of what percussion is and what it has to offer,” said Hartung.

With students ranging from first-year performers to seasoned seniors, the ensemble showcases the creative range and curiosity that define Elon’s music community.

Just a few weeks later, audiences will have the chance to hear Elon’s jazz program reimagine another musical angle. On Nov. 14, when two worlds collide — jazz music and video games — the result is a performance that transcends boundaries and generations. Throughout history, jazz has been rooted in expression: a reflection of struggle, hope,and transformation. But in Jazz Levels Up: A Night of Video Game Music, Alex Heitlinger, Elon’s director of jazz studies and jazz ensembles, proves that jazz is not confined to tradition — it’s an ever-evolving art form that adapts, reimagines and reinvents itself.“

“The idea actually came from the students in the jazz program,” Heitlinger said. “They suggested a video game theme, and I thought it was perfect.”

Over the past few years, video game music has become a growing trend in the jazz community, propelled by groups like the 8-Bit Big Band that fuse nostalgia with virtuosity. For Heitlinger, this blend offers the perfect opportunity to connect with younger audiences who grew up surrounded by the soundtracks of their favorite games.

The concert draws from a broader trend highlighted by Adam Neely in his YouTube video “Nintendo-fication of Jazz,”which describes how many ensembles are reimagining video-game music as contemporary standards. The program will feature music from Super Mario, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Final Fantasy, Portal, Persona 5 and Chrono Trigger.

“When [Neely] made a video about how video game music could be this generation’s Tin Pan Alley songbook, that really clicked for me,” Heitlinger said. “Once I heard it, I was surprised at the quality of songwriting!”

For Heitlinger and the student musicians, the performance is both challenging and rewarding. The professional-level arrangements demand precision, energy and creativity — hallmarks of great jazz. “

Jazz is always challenging,” Heitlinger admitted, “but that’s what keeps it exciting.”

Ultimately,  Jazz Levels Up aims to bring two worlds together — fans of jazz and fans of video games — and reveal the unexpected harmony between them. “For jazz lovers, I hope it shows that jazz is still evolving and connecting with new generations,” Heitlinger said. “And for video game fans, I hope they get to hear the music they love in a totally different context — swinging, improvising, alive.”

By infusing video game music with the liveliness, swing and improvisational spirit of jazz, the Elon Jazz Ensemble shows that great music never stops evolving — it just keeps leveling up.

Together, the Elon Percussion Ensemble Fall Concert and Jazz Levels Up highlight Elon’s forward-thinking approach to music making. Through the experimental textures of percussion and the imaginative energy of jazz, Elon’s performances remind audiences that music is a living, ever-evolving art form.

The freedom of the Irish countryside was more than an escape for Fiachra Garvey; as a boy growing up by the Blessington Lakes and commuting to school in Dublin, it became an inspiration for his music. Today, Garvey is on a pianist’s journey that stretches from rural Ireland to concert halls around the world, including at Elon’s Whitley Auditorium on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

The recital features Beethoven’s lyrical late Sonata Opus 109, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Rhoda Coghill’s Gaelic Fantasy, Ravel’s Pavane, and Rachmaninov’s rarely performed First Sonata, Opus 28.

For his Elon recital, variety is a major component. Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue holds special resonance for an American audience, while Sergei Rachmaninov’s rarely performed First Sonata showcases a less familiar piece of music to the audience. He is also performing the work of Irish composer Rhoda Coghill, whose Gaelic Fantasy comes alive through rich harmonies and her signature chromatic style.

“It’s a great privilege to perform her music and hopefully she’ll gain a few extra fans after the performance,” he said.

What matters most to him, however, is the audience itself. The COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns illustrated just how vital live performance is.

“Ultimately, as wonderful as the music is, if you have no audience to share it with, then an aspect of the musical fulfillment is missing,” he explained. “It’s about a shared experience together and a moment for musical sociability.”

When not at the piano, he splits his time between Wicklow, feeding animals, riding horses, and harvesting, and London, where he enjoys museums, concerts, and long walks by the Thames. Vienna and Berlin stand out as favorite cultural destinations, though Blessington and Dingle hold his heart at home.

As he prepares to perform at Elon, he hopes students and faculty alike will connect with the music: “Hopefully there’s something in the recital for everyone’s tastes,” he said.

Tickets are for $15 or free with an Elon ID.

For nearly a decade, Jarabe Mexicano has been more than a band — they’ve been cultural educators. Whether through bilingual performances, classroom collaborations, or inspiring young musicians to embrace their heritage. The band brings not only music, but a message of unity and empowerment.

Inspired by genres from mariachi to reggae to rock, the band embraces the sounds their parents and grandparents once cherished, honoring childhood memories and family traditions while creating something fresh for today’s audiences.

One of the band’s goals is to reach wide audiences, and they have traveled across the United States performing on behalf of border communities in California and Arizona. Their mission is to respectfully represent these communities. As lead singer Tavo Alcoser explains, they “always advocate for education and the arts as a means of empowerment, prosperity, and self-fulfillment.” Beyond that, the group strives to act as a bridge across cultures and generations — bringing people together through the universal language of music.

This global appeal comes from the band’s bilingual performances and diverse song selections, which expose audiences to many different cultures. At a time when understanding and connection are more important than ever, Jarabe Mexicano’s music invites people to identify with others from different backgrounds and overcome fear of cultures unlike their own.

“Stay true to your authentic self and prepare as much as you can. I found that when I embraced my unique perspective, straddling two countries and their many cultures, the right opportunities began to appear in my life, and I was prepared enough to make the most of them,” said Aloser on his advice to young musicians.

Over the years, band members have come and gone, but the group has always remained like a family. The current lineup features Gustavo ‘Tavo’ Alcoser, Jr. (lead vocals), Eduardo ‘Eddy’ Valencia (vihuela/vocals), Antonio ‘Tony’ Pro (guitarrón/vocals, and the newest member), Esteban ‘Steve’ Smith (lead guitar) and Daniel ‘Danny’ Brito (percussion/MC).

From their beginnings as music education students at San Diego State University to now touring across Mexico and throughout the United States, we are thrilled to welcome Jarabe Mexicano back to Elon. Join us for an evening that celebrates their vibrant blend of cultures this Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre. Come experience the community they create—and soak in the music.

Tickets are $15 or free with your Elon ID.