Students and faculty at Valparaiso University welcome members of the public to an exciting semester of ensemble performances, shows and concerts this spring. With a variety of events including jazz, dance performances, music from blockbuster films, baroque masterpieces, and a mainstage theatrical performance, there’s something for everyone at Valparaiso University.
Performances are free unless otherwise noted.
Epic Film Music Concert, Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m., Chapel of the Resurrection
Enjoy music from the big screen as the Valparaiso University Chamber Concert Band and the Valparaiso High School Bands perform this year’s Epic Film Music Concert: Flights of Fancy. Joining the bands will be faculty soloists Profs. Diego Piedra, violin, and Charles Steck, piccolo trumpet.
Dance Ensemble: Finding Free, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m., Feb. 7 and 8 at 2 p.m., University Theatre, Center for the Arts (VUCA)
The Valparaiso University Dance Ensemble takes the stage to perform choreography by students and faculty at the University Theatre. Tickets are available here or in-person at the VUCA.
Choral Concert, Friday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m., VUCA Guild Lobby Commons
Celebrate love with this entertaining performance by the Valparaiso University Chorale, Kantorei, University Singers, and Chamber Choir.
Band Festival Concerts, Saturday, Feb. 21, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., Chapel of the Resurrection
Valparaiso University musicians join others from around the community starting with the Small High School Band Festival, followed by the annual Community Band Festival.
At 3 p.m., the Valparaiso University Luce Concert Band will combine with guest high school students for the Valparaiso University Small High School Band Festival. The performance will be a sensory-friendly and welcoming concert. Valparaiso University music therapy students will lead activities with members of the neurodivergent, autistic, and disabled communities in Northwest Indiana.
At 5 p.m., the Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band, Valparaiso University Luce Concert Band, and guest musicians from local community bands will present the annual community band festival.
Bach Institute Presents: Chanticleer, Thursday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m., Chapel of the Resurrection
The award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer will present a diverse program including music by William Byrd, Randall Thompson, James Erb, Joni Mitchell, and Michael McGlynn. Embracing music education for today’s students, Chanticleer will share a selection with the Valparaiso University Chorale and a High School Honor Choir. Faculty and staff are eligible for discounts in general admission. See here for more details and ticket information.
Symphony Orchestra Concert, Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m., Chapel of the Resurrection
The Valparaiso University Symphony Orchestra will be showcasing the winners of the 2025-2026 Concerto Competition, with selected movements from the Mendelssohn violin concerto with Kailey White (electrical engineering ’26), and the Saint-Saëns cello concerto with Jonah DeMik (computer engineering ’28). Surrounding these concerti, the orchestra will play two symphonies by Mozart, including his last one, No. 41, “Jupiter.”
Bach Institute Outreach Tour, March 5-11, time and location varies
The Valparaiso University Chorale and Chamber Orchestra present the music of J.S. Bach, Palestrina, Philip Stopford, Eric Whitacre, and Emma Lou Diemer in Fort Wayne and Carmel, IN; Des Peres and St. Louis, MO; and Rockford, IL.
Vinegar Tom, Thursday and Friday, April 16 and 17, at 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19 at 2 p.m., University Theatre, VUCA
The Valparaiso University Theatre Department presents “Vinegar Tom,” an early play by acclaimed, Obie Award winning author Caryl Churchill. This production is directed by Walter G. Friedrich Chair in American Literature, Prof. George Potter. Ticket information and purchasing will be available here, or in-person at the VUCA.
Jazz Festival, April 22-25, with feature performances at 7:30 p.m. each day, VUCA
High school jazz bands from across the region will join Valparaiso University for three days of performances and workshops, with the feature performances taking place at 7:30 p.m. each day. Tickets will be required for the feature performance, and will be available closer to the date here.
Bach Institute Choral-Orchestral Concert, Saturday, April 25, 3 p.m., Chapel of the Resurrection
The Valparaiso University Chorale, the Bach Choir, and the Bach Institute Orchestra will delight listeners with J.S. Bach’s cantata Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 196; “Laetatus sum” by Chiara Margarita Cozzolani; and Vesperae solennes de Confessore, KV 339 by W.A. Mozart featuring voice faculty member Anne Marie Bice, soprano.
Symphony Orchestra Concert, Sunday, April 26 at 5 p.m., Chapel of the Resurrection
The Valparaiso University Symphony Orchestra will perform a program tracing a journey through early Romanticism. Experience the music from Beethoven, charged with tension and dramatic urgency, the brilliant orchestral color of Weber, and the exuberant Rhenish symphony by Schumann, a work inspired by the grandeur of the Rhine River and filled with warmth, vitality, and celebratory spirit. Together, these three works reveal a musical lineage that moves from conflict to enchantment to triumphant affirmation.
Sousa Tribute Concert, Saturday, May 2, at 4 p.m., Chapel of the Resurrection
Over 110 years after John Philip Sousa’s final performance in Valparaiso, the annual Sousa Tribute Concert lives on. Join musicians from across Valpo’s ensembles as we celebrate the legacy of the legendary composer.
Bach Institute presents: Maura Janton Cock and Friends in Recital, Saturday, May 9, 5 p.m., Duesenberg Recital Hall, VUCA
The Bach Institute at Valparaiso University presents “Bach with Friends” on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Duesenberg Recital Hall, Center for the Arts. Featured on this program will be music faculty members Maura Janton Cock, Joseph Bognar, Diego Piedra and Katharina Uhde, joined by Baroque instrumentalists from the Chicago area and beyond. Repertoire includes the ebullient BWV 51 “Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen”, Bach’s “lost” aria “Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn’ ihn”, Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, and excerpts from the “Mass in B-minor”. Performers include the founder and first director of the Bach Institute (2004-2022), Christopher M. Cock, and alumni Daniel Eifert and Angela Young Smucker. While this list contains the majority of the University’s offerings, other concerts, shows and performances will take place throughout the semester. Click here for a complete listing of spring musical performances.
