2025-2026
Welcome to 2025-26
Below, you'll find our ticketed performances for the coming academic year. This is just a fraction of the concerts we hold each year. Check our calendar on a regular basis to view a full list of free and ticketed events.
Buy Tickets
To purchase subscriptions packages or tickets to individual events, visit our Tickets & Subscriptions page.
What to expect
All seating will be General Admission so you can choose your seats comfortably.
With the new Moody Center presenting regular events, parking on our side of campus is challenging. We encourage you to consider public transportation or ride sharing to avoid hunting for parking or sitting in long lines. If you are driving to campus, we recommend arriving early to find parking.
Featuring Chamber Orchestra and Choirs
Ring in the season with the Butler School of Music in this annual favorite. The concert will be anchored by our new Chamber Orchestra and choirs but will feature ensembles and student performers from across the program. You can expect to hear favorite carols and a few surprises.
Mahler's Symphony No. 2, Resurrection
Farkhad Khudyev, conductor
J.D. Burnett, director of choirs
Leah Crocetto, soprano
Sophio Dzidziguri, mezzo soprano
Farkhad Khudyev, conductor
Rebecca Davis, soprano
Richard Strauss
Don Juan, op. 20
Giuseppe Verdi
Ave Maria from Otello
Ottorino Respighi
Pines of Rome
+ more...
Farkhad Khudyev, conductor
Andrew Parker, oboe
Claude Debussy
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
W.A. Mozart
Oboe Concerto in C Major, K. 314
Maurice Ravel
Mother Goose Suite
Farkhad Khudyev, conductor
Niyazi Hajibeyov
Suite from the ballet Chitra
Dmitri Shostakovich
Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, op. 93
Farkhad Khudyev, conductor
Behzod Abduraimov, piano
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Polonaise from Eugene Onegin
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor, op. 23
Margaret Bonds
Montgomery Variations
Mahler's Symphony No. 2, Resurrection
Farkhad Khudyev, conductor
J.D. Burnett, director of choirs
Leah Crocetto, soprano
Sophio Dzidziguri, mezzo soprano
Concerto Competition Winners
Farkhad Khudyev, conductor
Winning soloists and repertoire will be announced later in the season after finals take place.
Jerry Junkin, conductor
Jonathan Gunn, clarinet
Richard Strauss
Festival Intrada
W.A. Mozart
Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622
Michael Martin
Lontano: Symphony for Wind Ensemble
Jerry Junkin, conductor
Jimmy Santos-Rivera, guest conductor
Page Stephens, mezzo soprano
Gustav Mahler, arr. Bowlin
Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
David Maslanka
Symphony No. 8
More Music of John Williams
Alec Rodriguez, guest conductor
Caleb Hudson, trumpet
Brian Lewis, violin
Theme from Jurassic Park
Selections from Harry Potter
Of Grit and Glory
The March from 1941
Theme from Schindler’s List
Selections from Indiana Jones
With Malice Toward None from Lincoln
Selections from Star Wars
Doug Henderson, guest conductor
Gao Hong, pipa
Gao Hong
Musical Journey for Pipa and Band (world premiere)
John Mackey
Symphony No. 2 (U.S. premiere)
Emily Warren and T.j. Anderson, guest conductors
Ebonee Thomas, flute
Seraph Brass
Lindsay Bronnenkant
Tarot
Anthony DiLorenzo
Chimera
John Corigliano
Pied Piper Fantasy
Cody Ray, guest conductor
James Dick, piano
Sergei Rachmaninoff, arr. Patterson
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganinini, op. 43
Samuel Barber
Commando March
Symphony No. 1 in One Movement
Semi-Finals
The Butler Opera International Competition promotes the Butler Opera Center's mission of crafting the next generation of opera professionals. The competition’s judging panel unites the most influential experts in opera, representing many of the world’s leading opera companies and training institutions. Made possible by the support of Dr. Ernest and Mrs. Sarah Butler, over $35,000 in prize money and encouragement awards will be presented at this year’s competition.
Finals
The Butler Opera International Competition promotes the Butler Opera Center's mission of crafting the next generation of opera professionals. The competition’s judging panel unites the most influential experts in opera, representing many of the world’s leading opera companies and training institutions. Made possible by the support of Dr. Ernest and Mrs. Sarah Butler, over $35,000 in prize money and encouragement awards will be presented at this year’s competition.
Butler Opera Center
Music by
Jules Massenet
Libretto by
Henri Cain
Director
Garnett Bruce
Conductor
Douglas Kinney Frost
Director, Producer, Principal Coach
Tamar Sanikdize
Voices Across Genres
American Opera, Operetta, & Musical Theatre Scenes
Stage Directors
Beatrice Huang
Yingmeige Xiong
Conductor
Douglas Kinney Frost
Butler Opera Center
World Premiere
Music by
Michael Robert Smith
Libretto by
Demian Chavez Galvan
Director
Madison Jackson
Conductor
Douglas Kinney Frost
Director, Producer, Principal Coach
Tamar Sanikdize
Butler Opera Center
Music director & harpsichord
Tamar Sanikidze
Piano
Vakhtang Zaalishvili
Alcina – Xinshu Li
Morgana – Yuxin Liu
Oronte – Kayla Suter
Ruggiero – Wen Liu
Bradamante – Ziqi Wang
Melissa – Joohyun Kim
Butler Opera Center
Music by
Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by
Giuseppe Adami & Giovacchino Forzano
Stage Directors
Il Tabarro
Yingmeige Xiong
Suor Angelica
Madison Jackson
Gianni Schicchi
Beatrice Huang
Conductor
Douglas Kinney Frost
Director, Producer, Principal Coach
Tamar Sanikdize
Etienne Charles, trumpet and composer
Diego Rivera and Mike Sailors, directors
The Jazz Age: 1920s and 2020s
Diego Rivera and Mike Sailors, directors
with UT Jazz Orchestra
In this extraordinary concert, Moran begins with a solo piano journey through Ellington’s iconic works—his personal ascent up “Mount Ellington”—before being joined onstage by UT’s acclaimed jazz orchestra for a thrilling big band finale. Experience Ellington’s timeless genius, boldly reimagined for a new generation.
Peter Bernstein, jazz guitar
Diego Rivera and Mike Sailors, directors
Melissa Aldana, tenor saxophone
Diego Rivera and Mike Sailors, directors
J.D. Burnett, conductor
Johannes Brahms
Abendständchen & Vineta from Three Songs, op. 42
Reena Esmail
When the Violin
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Serenade to Music
+ more...
Featuring Chamber Orchestra and Choirs
Ring in the season with the Butler School of Music in this annual favorite. The concert will be anchored by our new Chamber Orchestra and choirs but will feature ensembles and student performers from across the program. You can expect to hear favorite carols and a few surprises.
Mahler's Symphony No. 2, Resurrection
Farkhad Khudyev, conductor
J.D. Burnett, director of choirs
Leah Crocetto, soprano
Sophio Dzidziguri, mezzo soprano
J.D. Burnett, conductor
Thomas Weelkes
When David Heard
Benjamin Britten
Rejoice in the Lamb
Omar Thomas
Shenandoah
+ more...
This concert will be led by graduate choral conducting students.
Marc Sosnowchik, conductor
Hila Plitmann, soprano
Bobby Ge
Of a Feather
Bastien David
Vendre le ciel aux ténèbres
Micah Rosenstein
Up at the Stars
+ more...
Marc Sosnowchik, conductor
Andrew Parker, oboe
Bora Yoon, visiting composer
Kirsten Townander
Bicycle Face
Bora Yoon
Casual Miracles
Fausto Romitelli
Green, Yellow and Blue
+ more...
Marc Sosnowchik, conductor
Page Stephens, mezzo soprano
Noah Hudson-Camack
Ten Seconds to Midnight
Nina C. Young
Traced Upon Cinders
Claude Vivier
Bouchara
+ more...
Marc Sosnowchik, conductor
Donnie Ray Albert, narrator
Katherine Balch
Chamber Music
Arturo Márquez
Danzón No. 8 (chamber version)
Nina Šenk
Twenty in Five for narrator and ensemble
+ more...
Daniel Ching, violin
William Fedkenheuer, violin
John Largess, viola
Joshua Gindele, cello
Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quartet No. 12 in E-flat Major, op. 127
String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, op. 130
clarinet
Hollie Dzierzanowski, viola
SungEun Park, piano
Tyler Webster
Story No. 4 (world premiere)
James M. David
Historias y Danzas for clarinet and piano
György Kurtág
Hommage à R. Sch., op. 15d
+ more...
organ
Donnie Ray Albert, narrator
David Manzanares-Salguero, guitar
Stephen Page, alto saxophone
Max Reger
Introduction and Passacaglia in D Minor
George Akerley
A Sweet for Mother Goose
David Hurd
Sonata for Saxophone and Organ
+ more...
Piano
Franz Joseph Haydn
Sonata No. 60 in C Major, Hob. XVI:50\
Franz Schubert
Drei Klavierstücke, D. 942
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Prelude in G Major, op. 32. no 5
+ more...
piano
W.A. Mozart
Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major. K. 331
Antonin Dvořák
Selections from Poetic Tone Pictures, Op. 85
Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne in A-flat Major, Op. 32, No. 2
+ more...
Joel Braun, double bass
Robert Schumann
Märchenerzählungen, op. 132
Jörg Widmann
Es war einmal
Menachem Wiesenberg
Klezmer Suite
Fred Onovwerosuoke
Trio for Flute, Viola and Harp
Claude Debussy
Sonata for flute, viola and harp
Tōru Takemitsu
And Then I Knew ‘Twas Wind
+ more...
with Anton Nel & Friends
Irida Herri, soprano
Jonathan Gunn, clarinet
Rick Rowley, piano
Sandy Yamamoto, violin
Wilhelm Magner, viola
Bion Tsang, cello
Joel Braun, double bass
Franz Schubert
Die Forelle, D. 550
Piano Quintet in A Major, Trout Quintet, D. 667
+ more...
Telling Their Stories
Asriel Davis, piano & organ
Invoke String Quartet
Meditation
Sketches in Sepia
William Grant Still
Ennanga
Zenobia Powell Perry, trans. McHenry
Homage
I Dissent: Songs of American Protest
Lee Hoiby
Lady of the Harbor from Three Women
Evan Mack
Preach Sister, Preach
Patrice Michaels
The Long View: A Portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Nine Songs
+ more...
with Wilhelm Magner, viola
Daniel Ching, violin
William Fedkenheuer, violin
John Largess, viola
Joshua Gindele, cello
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
String Quintet No. 4 in G Minor, K. 516
Franz Schubert
String Quartet No. 15 in G Major, D. 887
Faculty Recital
Leah Crocetto, soprano
Donnie Ray Albert, baritone
Ebonee Thomas, flute
James Maverick, piano
Samuel Barber
Nocturne
Carlisle Floyd
Ain’t it a Pretty Night? from Susannah
Cole Porter
So in Love from Kiss Me, Kate
+ more...
Two Piano
Gustav Holst
Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity from The Planets
Claude Debussy, arr. Ravel
Trois Nocturnes
Muzio Clementi
Duet in B-flat Major op. 12, no. 5
Album Release Concert
Caleb Hudson, trumpet
Achilles Liarmakopoulos, trombone
Ahmed Alom, piano
With trumpet, trombone, and piano—a rare and pioneering configuration—the group found freedom to break boundaries and redefine chamber music. Their performances are marked by virtuosity, heartfelt lyricism, and creativity, featuring original compositions and daring arrangements.
Sami Merdinian, violin
Suliman Tekalli, violin
Caeli Smith, viola
Laura Andrade, cello
Louis Levitt, double bass
Having performed in 44 states and 3 continents (and counting), Sybarite5 brings listeners on a musical journey of staggering breadth and depth with new works by living composers, as well as the group’s favorite selections from Radiohead, Coltrane, Komitas, Piazzolla, and Pete Seeger.
Debut Album Release Concert
Mary Ashton Gray, soprano
Adrienne Pedrotti Bingamon, soprano
Katrina Saporsantos, soprano
Page Stephens, mezzo soprano
Laura Mercado-Wright, mezzo soprano
Conceived pre-pandemic and born in March 2020, VAMP is a vocal quintet of formidable female artists touting a motley songbook and a bold red lip. Versatile in style and genre, they are committed to programming and commissioning new work and making classical vocal music relatable for audiences.
Mary Elizabeth Bowden, trumpet
Raquel Samayoa, trumpet
Layan Atieh, horn
Lauren Casey-Clyde, trombone
Robyn Black, tuba
Winners of the American Prize in Chamber Music, the group has been praised for its “beautiful sounds" (American Record Guide), "fine playing” (Gramophone), and “staggeringly high caliber of performance” (Textura). Seraph Brass performs a diverse body of repertoire, ranging from original transcriptions to newly commissioned works and core classics.
Donnie Ray Albert, baritone
Genesis Staple, soprano
Blake Yvonne Phillips, mezzo soprano
Joseph Oparamanuike, tenor
James Maverick, piano
Rick Rowley, piano
Robert Owens
3 Songs, op. 41
Heart on the Wall
3 Songs for a Deep Voice and Piano, op. 18
+ more...
Featuring Chamber Orchestra and Choirs
Ring in the season with the Butler School of Music in this annual favorite. The concert will be anchored by our new Chamber Orchestra and choirs but will feature ensembles and student performers from across the program. You can expect to hear favorite carols and a few surprises.
Mikhail Smigelski, bass
Margarita Denenburg, piano
Rick Rowley, piano
Featuring Butler School violin, cello, and voice students
Dmitri Shostakovich
Preludes, op. 34 (Nos. 1-10)
Piano Trio No. 1 in C Minor, Poème, op. 8
Antiformalist Raylok
Sandy Yamamoto, violin
Wilhelm Magner, viola
Joel Braun, double bass
Butler School string students
Antonín Dvořák
Miniatures, Drobnosti, op. 75a
Serenade for Strings in E Major, op. 22
Johan Halvorsen
Sarabande con variazioni, after a theme by G.F. Handel