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Invest in the Arts at WP
At William Paterson University, we believe in the transformative power of the arts. The mission of WP Presents! is to bring exceptional performances and exhibitions to our community, offering a diverse and inspiring lineup that engages, challenges, and entertains. We invite you to make a meaningful difference by supporting affordable, world-class performances that captivate audiences. Reach out to us, so together we can champion the future of the arts at William Paterson University.

WP Music Department Events

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About the WP Music Department


  • Cold Weather Company
    Feb 20, 2025 @ 12:30 PM
    Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

    Cold Weather Company (CWC) blends the influences and experiences of three singer-songwriters (Steve Shimchick, Jeff Petescia, and Brian Curry) into a cinematic, storytelling soundscape. What sprouted with a serendipitous park bench meeting at Rutgers University grew roots and branched out with performances near and far. With mirroring guitars on either side of the piano, the band’s symmetry reflects this balance between individuality and cohesion. 

    Love and respect for their craft, supplemented by a desire to contribute to the dynamic world of music, is what propels CWC as they surpass their 11th anniversary as a band. With 12+ million online streams and 60+ released songs, CWC is excited to announce a fifth full-length album due in spring 2025. 

    Admission: Free


     

  • Symphonic Story Time with the WP Chamber Winds
    Sensory Friendly Schooltime Performance

    Mar 07, 2025 @ 10:00 AM
    Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

    A sensory friendly school day concert to introduce students to the wonders of music and the instruments of the concert band. Featuring Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” Scott Watson’s musical setting of “Aesop’s Fables” and other intriguing musical stories suitable for PK-8th graders.

    Free admission.
    Schools must register at www.wpband.orgor click below.


     

  • WP Voice | Voxtet presents Folksong
    Mar 07, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Recital Hall 101

    Directed by Dr. Hannah Carr & Dr. Christopher Herbert, this concert features William Paterson’s Select Vocal Ensemble

    Free admission and open to the public.


     

  • Symphonic Story Time with the WP Chamber Winds
    Sensory Friendly Community Performance

    Mar 08, 2025 @ 3:00 PM
    Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

    A sensory friendly community concert to introduce audiences to the wonders of music and the instruments of the concert band. Featuring Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, Scott Watson’s Aesop’s Fables and other classic children’s tales set to music. Suitable for all ages, with sensory friendly accommodations available for all.

    General admission: Adults $15 Children (Ages 2 and up) $10. Free for WP Community with ID.


     

  • WP Faculty and Friends
    Mar 10, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Recital Hall 101

    A program featuring WP Faculty and student performers, including Jake Heggie's Here and Gone, a song cycle of life's transience and chance is paired with Verne Reynolds jazz infused Hornvibes for Horn and Vibraphone for a varied evening of musical contrasts. With faculty performers Dr. Christopher Herbert, baritone and WP vocal area coordinator, Dr. Carol Frierson-Campbell, horn and WP Music Education coordinator, and Dr. Payton MacDonald, vibraphone and WP Music Department Chair, featuring Austin Sidio, tenor and WP BM Music Education Senior. Carl Patrick Bolleia, New Music Series Director

     


     

  • WP Music Department presents Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra
    Mar 25, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

    You are invited to a collaborative performance featuring William Paterson University and the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra.

    We are thrilled to present an exciting program for our spring concert, where the spotlight will shine on talented students as soloists. The program includes an orchestral arrangement of Quiet Lady, arranged by Logan Friedman, performed by a group of jazz musicians from WPU alongside the orchestra. Seth Burke, a trumpet student majoring in both jazz and classical music, will perform the second movement of Haydn's Trumpet Concerto. Additionally, the program features Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto (soloist Jiao Yidi), Elgar's Serenade for Strings, and Saint-Saëns's Symphony No. 1.

    Join us in celebrating the brilliance of jazz and classical music brought to life by this powerful collaboration!

    General Admission:
    Public $25
    WP employees and senior citizens $15


     

  • William Paterson University Symphony
    Apr 02, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

    Conducted by Dr. Sandra Dackow


     

  • WP Voice Song Evening: Folksongs
    Apr 03, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Recital Hall 101

    Featuring William Paterson Voice Students with accompaniment by Hannah Comia, Matthieu Cognet, and June Marano-Murray on piano

    Free admission and open to the public.


     

  • WP Brass Night
    Apr 07, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Recital Hall 101

    Students of the trumpet, trombone, horn, euphonium and tuba studios at WP perform solo and chamber literature in an evening of brass music. Free and open to the public.


     

  • WP New Music Series: Professor Emeritus John Link Celebration!
    Apr 07, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

    A celebration of the career of Professor Emeritus John Link, showcasing his recent compositions, in honor of his nearly 30 years of service on the music faculty of William Paterson University. Featuring Nina Berman, soprano; Marianne Gythfeldt, clarinet; Caroline Stinson, cello; Augustus Arnone, piano; and Carl Patrick Bolleia, piano 

    Free admission and open to the public.


     

  • WP Flute Night
    Apr 08, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Recital Hall 101

    Students from the WP Flute Studio, under the direction of Dr. Kristin Bacchiocchi-Stewart, perform solo literature and flute chamber repertoire. Free and open to the public.


     

  • WP Saxophone Night
    Apr 09, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Recital Hall 101

    Students from the WP Saxophone Studio, under the direction of Dr. James Noyes, perform solo and ensemble repertoire for saxophones. Free and open to the public.


     

  • WP Music Department presents: 3 Short Operas
    Apr 11, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Hunziker Black Box Theatre

    Featuring William Paterson Voice students, this show compilation will feature Dover Beach by Samuel Barber; Lost in the Scroll by Luca Sutto; and H & G: A Great and Terrible Story by Allen Shawn.

    Hannah Comia, Music Director

    Dr. Christopher Herbert, Producer and Stage Director

    Tickets:
    $25 General Admission
    $10 Students

    Sponsored by:
    Rosenbloom Foundation
    Nan Guptill-Crain, in memory of Lauren Fowler-Calisto
    Colin and Susan Ungaro


     

  • WP Music Department presents: 3 Short Operas
    Apr 12, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Hunziker Black Box Theatre

    Featuring William Paterson Voice students, this show compilation will feature Dover Beach by Samuel Barber; Lost in the Scroll by Luca Sutto; and H & G: A Great and Terrible Story by Allen Shawn.

    Hannah Comia, Music Director

    Dr. Christopher Herbert, Producer and Stage Director

    Tickets:
    $25 General Admission
    $10 Students

    Sponsored by:
    Rosenbloom Foundation
    Nan Guptill-Crain, in memory of Lauren Fowler-Calisto
    Colin and Susan Ungaro


     

  • WP Music Department presents: 3 Short Operas
    Apr 13, 2025 @ 3:00 PM
    Location: Hunziker Black Box Theatre

    Featuring William Paterson Voice students, this show compilation will feature Dover Beach by Samuel Barber; Lost in the Scroll by Luca Sutto; and H & G: A Great and Terrible Story by Allen Shawn.

    Hannah Comia, Music Director

    Dr. Christopher Herbert, Producer and Stage Director

    Tickets:
    $25 General Admission
    $10 Students

    Sponsored by:
    Rosenbloom Foundation
    Nan Guptill-Crain, in memory of Lauren Fowler-Calisto
    Colin and Susan Ungaro


     

  • WP New Music Series: Royal Irish Academy of Music Percussion Ensemble
    Apr 21, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Recital Hall 101

    The Royal Irish Academy of Music Percussion Ensemble, directed by Richard O'Donnell, returns to the WP New Music Series with an eclectic and dynamic program of contemporary compositions!

    Free admission and open to the public. 


     

  • WP Chamber Winds & Preparatory Ensemble in Concert
    Apr 24, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

    Featuring WP faculty soloist, Michael Baker, trumpet, and guest conductors, Sarah Culp-Abrams and John Maiello, performing music for winds and percussion.


     

  • WP Piano Night: Ravel 150th Anniversary Piano Celebration
    Apr 28, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Recital Hall 101

    WP piano students, faculty, alumni, Emeriti and special guests celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Maurice Ravel! Curated by Carl Patrick Bolleia

    Free admission and open to the public.


     

  • WP Voice presents Listen to the Lambs
    May 02, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

    Dr. Hannah Carr, Director of Choral Activities
    Featuring WP Choirs, a Gospel soloist, guest musicians, and 150+ high school student participants.

    Free admission and open to the public.


     

  • WP Percussion Ensemble
    May 04, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

    New repertoire for percussion ensemble.

    Free admission and open to the public.


     

  • WP New Music Ensemble
    May 05, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
    Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

    Presenting compositions of the 20th and 21st Century, including original works by WP students and faculty. Directed by Dr. Carl Patrick Bolleia and conducted by John Ferrari

    Free admission and open to the public.


     

  • An Evening with Roger McGuinn
    May 06, 2025 @ 8:00 PM
    Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

    An Evening with Roger McGuinn is a love for folk music – the music that took him to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Mr. Tambourine Man not only lived history, he made history with his fearless sense of experimentation. As the leader of the influential 60s group, The Byrds, he was on the leading edge, combining the rock beat of the Beatles with the folk sensibilities of Bob Dylan, to create the genre known as “folk-rock.” His groundbreaking work on The Byrds “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” album, is widely credited with ushering in the genre of country rock. Roger’s solo career began in 1973 and has yielded 13 albums, a Grammy nomination, and extensive touring and performing for enthralled audiences ever since.  

    Jim McGuinn (he changed his name later to Roger) began playing professionally at the age of 17. He was first recognized around the industry for his banjo and guitar playing ability. He began touring with the Chad Mitchell Trio which eventually led to his touring gig with Bobby Darin. When Bobby decided to take a break from performing live, he invited Jim to join him in New York city to work at the famed Brill Building as a songwriter for TM Music. It was there that he became Judy Collins’ musical director, helped Paul Simon record the demo for “Sound of Silence” and was very active in the recording business as the “go to” guy for 12-string guitar.

    It was at this time that Roger became fascinated with “rocked up” folk music made popular by The Beatles.

    The folk audience didn’t appreciate the combination of folk songs and a Beatle Beat but there was one musician that did. His name was Gene Clark. It was the beginning of a musical revolution. David Crosby, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke joined the duo and history was about to be made. The Byrds were born!

    Their first single was penned by Bob Dylan but when the group heard the demo, they weren’t too impressed. Jim had an idea on how to fix the folkie song. He had been an arranger in NYC, so adding a Bach type intro and a Beatle Beat took the song “Mr Tambourine Man” to the number one slot across the world.

    Roger disbanded the BYRDS in 1973 to pursue his dream of being a folk singer like Pete Seeger. He says that the BYRDS were a nice detour on his way to his dream. He recorded five solo albums on Columbia Records. In 1978 he joined with Gene Clark and Chris Hillman for 3 albums on Capitol Records. In 1991 just after the BYRDS were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he recorded on Arista Records his acclaimed “Back From Rio” album with a host of friends, including Tom Petty, Elvis Costello , David Crosby, Chris Hillman and others. It was the last vinyl record in his catalogue.

    In 1995 Roger became concerned the traditional folk songs were being lost. No one was recording the songs of over one hundred years ago, so he had an idea. He decided to post an original folk song with a live recording on his web page mcguinn.com each month. He hasn’t missed a month since November 1995. It is carried by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a public service.

    Appleseed Records invited Roger to record some of his favorite folk songs with the vanguards of folk music: Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Jean Ritche, Josh White Jr and his guitar teacher Frank Hamilton and his wife Mary. The recording “Treasure From the Folk Den” received a Grammy nomination in 2002. He continues to record and release music on his independent label. When asked if he plans on retiring, he laughs, “What? Give up show-business? It’s called “playing music” and I’ve been playing since I was 14.

    Tickets:
    Gold Circle $59
    Orchestra/Front Loge $49
    Rear Loge/Accessible Seating $39