Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Maltz Performing Arts Center
Format: In-Person + Virtual
Tickets: Free | General Admission or Livestream
Watch: Livestream in Silver Hall
Reserve complimentary tickets and purchase parking using the button below.
Program
United Voices: A Bicentennial Concert
United Voices celebrates CWRU students, faculty, and alumni in a special Bicentennial concert that brings together Broadway brilliance, cinematic favorites, and contemporary wind repertoire in a vibrant, genre-spanning program. Selections from Candide by Leonard Bernstein and Lincoln Portrait by Aaron Copland anchor the evening, alongside beloved classics including “The Man That Got Away,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” and “Over the Rainbow.”
Featured faculty vocalist Joan Ellison lends warmth and star quality to these timeless songs, while modern works such as Blue Night and Unidad et Rítmo add color, rhythmic energy, and a spirit of connection while CWRU Department of Music Musicology Alum Dr. Lady J brings gravitas to Copland's historic homage to Abraham Lincoln as our guest narrator.
Our concert celebrates the power of American composers and music to unite voices across genres and generations.
Dr. Ryan Scherber, Conductor & Director of Bands
Brianna Bell & Bobby Bellairs, Graduate Assistants
Guest Narrator: Dr. Lady J
Known out of drag as J Davenport, Dr. Lady J is a Cleveland-based PhD historian, drag artist, podcaster, curator, and activist specializing in drag performance history. Her scholarship and public work focus on amplifying the contributions of transgender performers, cisgender women, and performers of color, and challenging the historical erasure of marginalized drag communities. []
Featured Vocalist: Joan Ellison
Praised by Michael Feinstein for her “vocal prowess” and “organic grasp of the classic songs,” Joan Ellison is known for reviving the repertoire of Judy Garland from Hollywood films, live concerts, and studio recordings. She has performed more than 80 symphony concerts nationwide and recently made her European debut with Get Happy! A Judy Garland Celebration. Highlights include recreating the legendary Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall program. Joan serves as Editor of the Judy Garland Carnegie Hall Concert Restoration Project and is Teacher of Popular Voice at the Cleveland Institute of Music. []
CWRU Music 2025–26 Concert Season
The APP Department of Music presents a wide range of concerts, recitals, and special events that showcase the talents of students, faculty, and guest artists. From classical masterworks to contemporary compositions, these performances highlight the creativity and excellence within CWRU’s vibrant music community. Open to the public, the series offers opportunities for audiences of all ages to experience inspiring live music and support the next generation of musicians and scholars.
Venue Information
The Maltz Performing Arts Center (est. 1924), a collaboration between APP and The Temple–Tifereth Israel, is a landmark campus venue supported by Milton and Tamar Maltz and other philanthropic leaders. Its stunning 1,200-seat Silver Hall hosts CWRU music ensembles, concerts, and community events that draw thousands each season, with the Nord Family Greenway linking the center to campus and University Circle.
These events are free with registration:
- Get Tickets (Free | General Admission or Livestream)
- Livestream in Silver Hall
- Plan Your Visit
- Purchase Parking Pass
Parking ($10) may be purchased in advance online or in person the day of the event. Each parking pass is good for the day of the performance beginning approximately 1-hour before show time.
Health + Safety
The health and well-being of our community is important to us as we gather for campus events. University Health and Counseling Services provides up-to-date guidance and resources to help support a safe campus experience. For life-threatening emergencies, please call CWRU Public Safety immediately at 216.368.3333.