Fine Arts Series

Upcoming Series Events

The 2026-2027 Fine Arts Series will once again bring nationally and internationally recognized artists to enrich your lives, providing both familiar and
new musical treasures. We look forward to seeing you as we celebrate another exciting season of wonderful music.

• STELLA COLE
  Saturday, September 19, 2026 :: 7:30 PM
  Central Illinois native Stella Cole is a rising vocal star whose radiant voice and timeless style have made her one of today’s most compelling interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Blending classic elegance with fresh artistry, she brings new life to beloved standards through expressive storytelling, impeccable musicianship, and an engaging stage presence. Whether performing with orchestra, jazz ensemble, or in an intimate concert setting, Stella creates memorable musical experiences that resonate with audiences of all ages. Now based in New York City, her performances celebrate the enduring beauty of America’s rich musical heritage on an international stage while showcasing the warmth, sophistication, and artistry of an exceptional young talent.
  • IN ADDITION TO OUR OPENING CONCERT, we would like to invite you to a cookie celebration on the quad in front of Rammelkamp Chapel at 6:00pm before the 7:30 concert. There you will find other music lovers also celebrating the start of our season! If you have not yet purchased a season ticket by that time, you may do so at that event.
• TALES AT TWILIGHT - Family Night Series 🎃
  Wednesday, October 28 :: 6:30 PM :: Historic Upper Quad
  Children and adults alike will feel the Halloween spirit when they come to hear three master storytellers spin spooky tales of the season. The evening will be led by Jacksonville’s own Mike Anderson ’74, whose combination of music, storytelling, and humor has made him a much sought-after performer throughout the Midwest. Mike will be joined by two of our favorite storytellers, Sherry and Bobby Norfolk of St. Louis, who will tell their tales in separate campus locations, with the audience rotating between the three venues.
   
• ENGELBACH-HART MUSIC FESTIVAL
  You are cordially invited to attend the Engelbach-Hart Music Festival, to be held again this year in November. This admission-free event is a gift to the community and will consist of three concerts.
  • CreArtBox :: Friday, November 6, 2026 :: 7:30 PM
    Our festival kicks off on Friday with CreArtBox, a New York–based chamber music and multimedia ensemble led by flutist Guillermo Laporta and pianist Josefina Urraca, featuring Emilie-Anne Gendron (violin), Matthew Cohen (viola), and Julia Yang (cello). The group creates immersive programs that blend classical and contemporary repertoire with original visual art, stage design, and spatial storytelling. Their performances transform traditional concert settings into multidimensional experiences that deepen audience engagement with the music. Widely acclaimed by critics and arts publications, CreArtBox is known for its inventive, interdisciplinary approach that enhances live performance while honoring the integrity and emotional depth of each work presented on stage.
  • Faculty Collage Concert :: Saturday, November 7, 2026 :: 7:30 PM
    Saturday’s program is our annual Faculty Collage Concert, highlighting the exceptional talents of the Illinois College music faculty.
  • The Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project :: Sunday, November 8, 2026 :: 3 PM
    Finally, Sunday’s concert will celebrate the rich rhythms of Latin music. The Craig Russo Latin Project delivers vibrant, world-class Latin jazz, blending infectious Afro-Cuban rhythms with masterful improvisation and dynamic performances. Featuring exceptional musicianship and irresistible energy, the ensemble creates an unforgettable concert experience that celebrates the rich traditions and exciting evolution of Latin music.
• ISTANPITTA
  Saturday, January 30, 2027 :: 7:30 PM
  We are thrilled to welcome Istanpitta again to our series. An early music ensemble devoted to the performance of Medieval and early
  Renaissance repertoire on historically informed instruments, the group brings early music to life through vibrant interpretations grounded in scholarship and artistic imagination. The ensemble creates rich sonic landscapes that transport audiences across centuries. Performing on instruments such as vielle, recorder, lute, harp, and hand percussion, Istanpitta creates immersive concert experiences that feel both scholarly and immediate. Through
  engaging presentation and historical insight, Istanpitta invites listeners to experience the past as a living, expressive sound world today.
   
• DAVID JONIES
  Friday, February 19, 2027 :: 7:30 PM
  Internationally acclaimed organist David Jonies is Director of Music and Organist at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, where he leads one of the nation’s most renowned cathedral music programs. Renowned for his virtuosic technique, expressive artistry, and compelling performances, he has appeared at distinguished cathedrals, concert halls, and festivals throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. His dynamic musicianship and inspired interpretations continue to captivate audiences and enrich the tradition of organ music.
   
• ~NOIS SAXOPHONE QUARTET
  Saturday, March 20, 2027 :: 7:30 PM
  Founded in 2016, ~Nois has become one of the premier ensembles in the U.S. by combining contemporary classical music and improvisation in unique concert experiences. Heralded as “fiendishly good” by the Chicago Tribune, ~Nois has been awarded top prizes at prestigious chamber music competitions including the Fischoff and the M-Prize competitions. This program will feature a wide variety of new pieces written specifically for this ensemble and a world premiere of a new piece by Professor Emeritus Timothy Kramer. You will be amazed with their vivacious performance and virtuosity.
   
• LYYRA
  Sunday, April 4, 2027 :: 4 PM
  Experience the extraordinary artistry of Lyyra, the new all-women vocal ensemble from The VOCES8 Foundation. Celebrated for its breathtaking blend, expressive storytelling, and innovative programming, Lyyra reimagines the possibilities of the human voice, performing music that spans centuries, from timeless choral masterpieces to contemporary works and fresh arrangements inspired by diverse global traditions. Known for their precision, warmth, and emotional depth, Lyyra captivates audiences with performances that are both intimate and powerful. Whether presenting luminous sacred
  works, vibrant folk-inspired repertoire, or newly commissioned compositions, the ensemble brings each piece to life with remarkable musicality and authenticity.
   

Fine Arts Series Ticket Information:

Adult season tickets are available for $70, which is a $35 savings over purchasing tickets individually. Adult tickets to individual concerts are available for $20 per concert, except for the family program on October 28, when adult tickets will be just $5. As always, students of all ages and children are admitted free of charge to all concerts.

Please consider making a donation to the series: Your generosity and support help ensure that we are able to continue bringing quality programming to the Jacksonville community!

For more information, to purchase a Season or Single Event ticket, or to make a donation, please contact Jennifer Phebus ’07 at 217.245.3192 or jennifer.phebus@ic.edu.