Friends University Fine Arts

Every year Friends University produces a brochure about our upcoming fine arts events.

Send an email to [email protected] with your name and address if you would like a physical copy of the brochure mailed to you at your residence OR click the link here and sign up by filling out the form!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7RKx9lcDVofLWiGJoUPHX3S17pPWopVvk30HlgZZUzJa5cw/viewform

This way, you won't miss any of your favorite shows including Christmas Candlelight, Jazz Fest, Symphony of Spring, Singing Quakers 100th Anniversary and more!

We also can't wait to welcome you all back to the Riney Fine Arts Center after a year of redevelopment!

If you provided your address last year, please sign up again as we do not keep these records on file.

⭐️ It's Throwback Thursday! ⭐️

Let's look back at our rendition of the emotionally stirring opera "The Tender Land" by Aaron Copland, performed in November 2023 in Alumni Auditorium.

The Tender Land is a coming of age story set in 1930's rural midwest. The audience watches as recent high school graduate Laurie begins to explore opportunities outside the world she knows. Will she let her heart or her head decide what to do?

Let us know if you watched our production of "The Tender Land"!

Friends University Fine Arts is delighted to announce that we have not one, but four national finalist nominations for the American Prize!

The American Prize is designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school level.

Our 2024 National Finalists are;

The American Prize in Opera Performance - The Gondoliers
The American Prize in Theater/Musical Theatre Performance - Catch Me If You Can
The American Prize in Choral Performance - Singing Quakers
The American Prize Dale Warland Award in Choral Conducting - Dr. Rayvon T.J. Moore

"This was a wonderful production with some stunning singing by our students, a spacious set, beautiful costumes, some fabulous choreography, and a first-class pit orchestra. The hard work and team effort of our production team obviously paid off." - Rolaine Hetherington, The Gondoliers.

Congratulations and best wishes to all the students, faculty, cast and crew involved in these amazing performances!

Congratulations to the Singing Quakers for this great achievement!

Congratulations to the Friends University Singing Quakers on being selected as national finalists for the American Prize in Choral Performance! This is the first for the Singing Quakers and it is such an honor to be recognized in this way. We are deeply grateful and excited for what lies ahead! “Our students are some of the best and they have worked incredibly hard these past few years and they deserve this. I am very proud of them! Whatever we do, we do together,” said Dr. Moore. We want to give thanks to Dr. Jamie Knight for being an amazing collaborative pianist! Also congratulations to Doc for being recognized as a national finalist for the American Prize Dale Warland Award in Choral Conducting based on his recordings with the Eastman School of Music Choirs. We are blessed to have you leading us!

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts is the nation’s most comprehensive series of contests in the classical arts.

The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, and is designed to evaluate, recognize and reward the best performers, ensembles, composers, directors and administrators in the United States, based on submitted recordings.

The American Prize has attracted thousands of qualified contestants from all fifty states since its founding in 2010 and is presented annually in many areas of the performing arts.

https://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/?m=1&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0_mZNag8OQGWhW93SfUDDnNexNZubdtXl1Owu-GSOaUYXrtHXBDyvpb0A_aem_AQnJMyQjGckbAhXg1v34cWXhE6cqaPHEqKjcv8tKPVotbUUd1jpWFxRtIzmjtU3o-0k8mEMuGBtbeM3_vUp3U1JW

Save these dates for new choral opportunities this coming academic year!

🌟We did it! 🌟

Yesterday Friends University Fine Arts and pianists from across the state of Kansas successfully completed a performance of Erik Satie’s piano epic, “Vexations”. Playing simultaneously across five sites we accomplished 840 repetitions of this unique piece of music (with repetitions to spare)!

A huge thank you to all that took part, performed and dressed up - we could not have done it without all of you.

Vexations is under way! Our performers are settling in and are embracing the Satieday spirit! Eccentric hats and umbrellas are certainly popular this morning!

Visit us at the following locations today to see Vexations unfold!

CityArts | 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. – The Boardroom, 1st floor (free)

Exploration Place | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Waterway Hall (free)

Wichita Art Museum | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – River Lobby, playing the Painted Piano (free)

Sedgwick County Zoo | 11 a.m – 3 p.m. – Stingray Cantina (included with the price of zoo admission)

Mark Arts | 12 – 4 p.m. – Main Gallery (free)

Collect a Satieday postcard from one of the venues and use it as a complementary ticket to this evening’s Finale Concert too!

Tomorrow is Satieday!

As well as hosting the Kansas premiere of Erik Satie's Vexations, Friends University piano faculty and students will also present a concert in the evening, featuring more works by Satie and his contemporaries.

This performance will feature Dr. James Knight, Dr. Nathanael May and Conrad the dog. This theatrical, unique piano concert is not one to miss! A themed reception will follow the performance.

Buy your tickets at friends.edu/fineartstickets. Or collect a Satieday postcard at one of our participating Vexations venues and use it as a complimentary ticket (one per person)!

Please join us for the final event of the season!

Alumni Auditorium (3rd floor Davis Administration Building), Friends University campus, 7:30 p.m.

Tomorrow is Satieday!

Be sure to watch KSN at 12:15 p.m. today to see Dr. James Knight talk more about the day's festivities!

VEXATIONS

Pianists from across the state will perform Erik Satie's 'Vexations', a short piece of music that must be repeated 840 times on the piano! Join us at these venues to watch Vexations unfold...

CityArts | 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. – The Boardroom, 1st floor (free)
Exploration Place | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Waterway Hall (free)
Wichita Art Museum | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – River Lobby, playing the Painted Piano (free)
Sedgwick County Zoo | 11 a.m – 3 p.m. – Stingray Cantina (included with the price of zoo admission)
Mark Arts | 12 – 4 p.m. – Main Gallery (free)

Earn a “Satieday” ribbon by collecting a stamp from each venue! Collect 3+ stamps on your “Satieday” postcard (available at each venue during “Vexations”) and show to a Satieday/Friends University staff member at the location, or the Satieday Finale Concert, to claim your prize!

Are you performing with us? Let us know!

Dr. James Knight and Leigh Barton-Green (fine arts events coordinator) were interviewed by The Shout to talk about the upcoming Satieday festivities. Read all about it here!

This ‘Satieday,’ a vexing premiere will unfold across Wichita A group of Friends University faculty organized the daylong, multisite marathon performance that promises to reflect composer Erik Satie’s quirky personality.

Well, that's one way of using a piano...

Stacked pianos will not be a feature in our rendition of Satie's Vexations, or during the Satieday Finale Concert, but these performances will feature a wide range of pianists from around the state! Come and celebrate them, and the eccentric life and music of Erik Satie with Friends University Fine Arts on "Satieday" May 18!

For more information about the Kansas premiere of Vexations, or the unique Satieday Finale Concert, please visit friends.edu/satie.

There's still time to sign up to take part in the Kansas premiere of Erik Satie's "Vexations"!

Join Friends University Fine Arts and piano players from across the state in this epic performance relay in which we will attempt to play all 840 repetitions! Pianists of all ages and abilities are welcome to sign up! You must be able to play Vexations for 15 minutes at a time, and are welcome to play multiple slots during the performance schedule.

We will be playing at the following venues on "Satieday" May 18;

CityArts | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Exploration Place | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Wichita Art Museum | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (playing the Painted Piano)
Sedgwick County Zoo | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (performing at the Stingray Cantina)
Mark Arts | 12 - 4 p.m.

Spaces for the zoo have already been filled!

Don't miss this unique opportunity to take part in a rare and epic piano performance! All performers will receive a custom Satieday rosette ribbon and free ticket to the Satieday Finale Concert.

For more information and to sign up, please visit friends.edu/satie . Sign up by Friday, May 10, to secure your performance time!

Friends University Choral students have been working hard to create the first ever Choral Yearbook!

Ever wonder what the choral department does in a year? Now you can know with the first ever Choral Yearbook!!! A complete overview of this school year with never before seen photos, quotes, and a complete rep list for each ensemble!

HOW IT WORKS:

1) Click This Link: https://commerce.cashnet.com/friendsem1pay?itemcode=SQBOOK

2) Scroll down and click on “Singing Quakers and Concert Choir Fundraiser Book”

3) Select the quantity & which choir you would like to support. This allows us to make sure the funds get split appropriately.

4) Enter your information and check out.

5) Wait for the books to come in.

6) Pick up your book(s) from Friends!

After the choral season is completed, the book will be finalized and sent to print. The expected printing timeline is 2-3 weeks, and then the books will be sent to Friends University for your pick up!

HOW MUCH IS IT?:

The books are $25 each.

IS THERE A BULK ORDER DISCOUNT?:

Yes! For every two books you buy, you save $5.

WHEN WILL THEY BE READY?:

Because printing schedules are subject to change, the projected timeline is mid-May. Updates will be sent out if there is a delay.

CAN I SEE A PREVIEW?:

Sure! Click this link https://qrco.de/bf0XeP to see the pages from our Candlelight concert!

Thank you for helping our program to grow!

❗️EVENT CHANGE ❗️

Due to the weather Visual Arts Showcase will now take place tomorrow, Tuesday May 7.

Please join us then in the Olive White Garvey Business and Technology Building, 5-7 p.m.

We promise that we won't serve moldy fruit or shredded bones at our themed Satieday Finale Concert reception! But 'white' will be the theme of the food and drink! 🦴🥛

Buy your tickets for the Satieday Finale Concert at friends.edu/fineartstickets. Saturday May 18, 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Auditorium. Food and drink is included in the cost of the ticket.

Who's that jazz musician?

Can you name the four Friends University Jazz students and faculty that feature on this year's Jazz Finale Concert poster?

Why not see them in person at tomorrow's concert? Tickets at friends.edu/fineartstickets!

With the epic Jazz Finale Concert just days away, let's take a look back at a few photos from The Duke Ellington Sacred Concert from last semester.

This special sold-out concert featured the Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Jazz II and the Singing Quakers.

We hope you will join us all again at University Friends Church on May 4, 2 p.m for a performance including Jazz II, Conjunto Latino, Concert Jazz Band and Jazz Vocal Ensemble!

Purchase your tickets today from friends.edu/fineartstickets. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Join us as we approach the end of another events season and celebrate with a bang with Friends University Jazz, including big bands, Latin jazz and Jazz Vocals. Featuring the premiere of "All of Us", a student composition by Adin Gilmore.

Saturday, May 4, 2 p.m.*
University Friends Church, 1840 W University Ave, Wichita, 67213
Adults $10 | Seniors & Students $7

All seats are general admission and unassigned.
*previously advertised starting at 7:30 p.m. This concert will now start at 2 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who attended last night's Concerto Winners Concert at The District Church ⭐️

This performance almost sold out! It was wonderful to see so many people come out to celebrate Dr. Canes Nicolas, the Friends University Orchestras and the winners of the Miller Concerto Competition.

And thank you to Robert Ryder and The District Church for hosting us and for all your help during the performance.

Our next event is Jazz Finale, Saturday May 4, 2 p.m. at University Friends Church!

Last week, Dr. Nathanael May appeared on KAKE News to talk about the upcoming celebrations for Satieday!

https://www.kake.com/clip/15466036/satieday

In a Kansas premiere, Friends University Fine Arts is hosting a performance of the lengthy and enigmatic piano piece "Vexations" by Erik Satie. This short piece of music must be repeated 840 times to be considered complete!

On May 18 "Vexations" will be played at CityArts, Exploration Place, Wichita Art Museum, Sedgwick County Zoo and Mark Arts! And we want you to join us! If you can play piano, and think you can play "Vexations" then please visit friends.edu/satie to sign up!

"Vexations" isn't a formal concert, but an opportunity for musicians to come together to celebrate the eccentric music and life of Erik Satie in some amazing spaces.

If you have any questions about participating, or about Satieday in general, please email [email protected].

SatieDay SatieDay at Friends University will be held on May 18.

Wow! Tickets are selling fast for the Concerto Winners Concert this evening!

Don't miss this unique performance that features the Friends University Chamber and Symphony Orchestras, Dr. James Knight (Assistant Professor of Piano) and the winners of the Miller Concerto Competiton; 1st Place, Davis Green (tenor) and Courtney Dunagan (flute), conducted by Dr. Canes Nicolas.

Tonight! At The District Church (304 S Seneca) at 7:30 p.m. All seats are unassigned and general admission. Purchase your tickets at friends.edu/fineartstickets or at the door.

We'll see you there!

Join us tomorrow evening for a musical extravaganza!

The Concerto Winners Concert features Friends University Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Dr. James Knight and the winners of the Miller Concerto Competition;

1st Place, Davis Green (tenor)
2nd Place, Courtney Dunagan (flute)

Tuesday, April 30, 7:30 p.m. at The District Church (304 S Seneca). Tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. Purchase your tickets at friends.edu/fineartstickets or at the door.

You won't want to miss this unique concert!

And that's a wrap!

Thank you to everyone who came to support the Singing Quakers and the cast and crew of Symphony of Spring this weekend! And thank you to the faculty, staff and students of Wichita Northwest High School for your hospitality.

We have taken many performances off campus, and to various locations across the city of Wichita this year due to the renovations taking place to the Riney Fine Arts Center, and we thank you for traveling with us.

Our final four events either take place very close to Friends University, or will take place on campus, and we hope you will join us for these too!

Concerto Winners Concert, April 30, 7:30 p.m. - The District Church
Jazz Finale Concert, May 4, 2 p.m. - University Friends Church
Visual Arts Showcase, May 6, 5-7 p.m. - Friends University Campus
Satieday Finale Concert, May 18, 7:30 p.m. - Alumni Auditorium

The show must go on! Symphony of Spring tonight at Wichita Northwest High School!

The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. and seating will begin at 6:45 p.m. Seats are unassigned and general admission. Tickets are available at the door and online at friends.edu/fineartstickets.

So, he wasn't the best student...but it all worked out in the end!

Join us on Satieday [Saturday] May 18 as we celebrate Erik Satie's influential career with a city-wide performance of "Vexations" and a finale concert featuring more work by Satie, and his contemporaries.

Pianists from Wichita and Kansas are invited to perform in this epic rendition of "Vexations" which will take place at CityArts , Exploration Place , Wichita Art Museum , Sedgwick County Zoo and Mark Arts!

Learn more and sign up today at friends.edu/satie.

Symphony of Spring opens tonight! Who's excited? We're excited!

We're taking this show on the road to Wichita Northwest High School (1220 N. Tyler) due to the ongoing construction to the Riney Fine Arts Center. But the Singing Quakers will still deliver an impressive program full of show tunes, Disney hits, dance numbers and Broadway staples in this much beloved concert!

Friday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 28, 2 p.m.

Buying tickets in advance is high recommended! Purchase your tickets from friends.edu/fineartstickets. Tickets will also be available at the door. All seats are unassigned and general admission.

We'll see you there!