The Brigham Young University Philharmonic, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band will perform together in the Instrumental Showcase Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall.

Multi-Grammy and Tony Award-nominated composer and producer Frank Wildhorn will present “Frank Wildhorn and Friends” at Brigham Young University Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets start at $20 ($10 off with a student ID, $3 off for senior citizens and BYU alumni) and can be purchased at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-2981, or at byuarts.com/tickets. “Frank Wildhorn and Friends” will take the audience on a concert journey through Wildhorn’s celebrated catalog of music paying homage to his greatest songs in a personal and thrilling way. The group features Wildhorn, piano, a three-piece band and the vocal talents of Broadway’s Jackie Burns (“Wicked”), Darren Ritchie (“Wonderland” and “Little Shop of Horrors”) and Adrienne Warren (“Bring It On” and “Dreamgirls”). In 1999, Wildhorn became the first American composer in 22 years to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway, including “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” “Jekyll & Hyde” and “The Civil War.” His other Broadway work includes “Wonderland” and “Bonnie & Clyde.” Outside of Broadway, other artists to record and perform his work include Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers, Sammy Davis Jr. and Hootie & the Blowfish. Wildhorn wrote Whitney Houston’s No. 1 international hit “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?” and “Gold,” for the opening ceremony of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. This concert is a part of BYU’s new performing arts series, “BRAVO!” — a new season that features a dynamic roster of celebrated guest artists. For more information, visit www.frankwildhorn.com, contact Jeff Martin, (801) 422-6340 or visit byuarts.com. Source: BYU News

Based on Hans Christian Anderson story Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present “The Nightingale” Friday, Sept. 27 through Saturday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. with 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday matinees in the Margetts Theatre. Wednesday and Thursday tickets are available at $6 for adults, $4 for children and weekend tickets available at $7 for adults, $5 for children. For tickets, visit the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-2981 or byuarts.com/tickets. There will be no performances Sundays or Mondays. “The Nightingale” is a play based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen and adapted for the stage by Timothy Mason. Directed by Julia Ashworth and Kori Wakamatsu, this tale of an emperor who neglects the lyrical song of a humble nightingale for the artificial splendor of a mechanical bird vividly depicts the majesty, grace and poetic ritual of ancient China. Performed in English and Mandarin and influenced by the traditions of Peking Opera, “The Nightingale” invites audience members to ponder the worth of the things we value most. To research the production, the cast and crew were able to travel to China to study with Peking Opera and establish sister-school relationships between schools in the United States and China. Ashworth explained why the directors decided on “The Nightingale.” “As we began to study the script together, several themes emerged, primarily the idea of true friendship,” she said. “A secular view of the story shows that the Emperor discovers the value of true friendship through the kind acts of the Nightingale. And yet, as we became more familiar with the script, we began to see the story as a Christian allegory. “Our production concept focuses on the idea of being in the world, but not of the world. The emperor is very much of the world – his palace is full of many dazzling, beautiful and delicate things. Although nothing is inherently wrong with the emperor's palace, these things lead him to forget what is truly important – his friends, family and loved ones. And through a selfless act, the Nightingale helps him remember what is truly important and provides him with a second chance,” said Ashworth. The play challenges audience members to remember what is most important in life. “As you watch 'The Nightingale,' we hope that you observe the details and enjoy the visual spectacle. Beyond the set, costumes, acting and dancing, we hope you are as struck as we have been with the simplicity of the message – that love and kindness transcend the ‘glitter’ of this world,” said Ashworth. The cast includes Cosette Hatch as the Narrator and Nicole Dugdale as the Nightingale/Young Man’s Wife, with Jennifer Bozeman as I-Ming/Witch, Clayton Cranford as Young Man/Glorious General, Scott Savage as High Lord Chamberlain, Jordan Nicholes as Emperor, Noah Kershisnik as Death/Emperor of Japan, Esmeralda Vera as Woo ling/Chinese Narrator and Allie Limas as Principal Dancer/Lady of the Court. The design and technical crew includes Alecia Holmes, production stage manager; Brent Robison, scenic designer; Donnette Perkins, costume designer; Seth Mergist, lighting designer; Michelle Ohumukini, sound designer; Jennifer Reed, production manager; and Lola Danielson, dramaturg. For more information, contact Julia Ashworth at (801) 422-4539 or julia_ashworth@byu.edu. Source: BYU News

eviDANCE brings changes to the stage this year with Pat Debenham, a former faculty of BYU dance department, escorting the audience through the discovery of five BYU dance groups on Sept. 18- 21.

The nominations for the Rocky Mountain Emmy awards were just announced this week and the BYU Theatre and Media Arts graduates and faculty received eight nominations. In the professional category, Brad Barber's Beehive Stories film, Iron County, was nominated. In the student category, Dante's Hamlet (produced by Brynn Zimmer and directed by Babetta Kelly) received five nominations; Dance (produced by Erin Anderson and directed by Eric Pasternak) received one, and Mr. Bellpond (produced by Nick Dixon and directed by A. Todd Smith) received one. The Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) will host its 2013 Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards Gala and Auction Saturday, October 19 at the University of Phoenix Stadium, in partnership with the Arizona Cardinals. The Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is a membership organization dedicated to excellence in television by honoring exceptional work through the prestigious EMMY(r) Award. They are the only professional association representing television professionals from all disciplines of the industry, serving as the common meeting ground for individuals dedicated to advancing the art and science of television. The Chapter region serves Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and El Centro, California.

Brigham Young University’s Men’s Chorus, Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus and BYU Singers will present their Fall Choral Showcase in the de Jong Concert Hall Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Westminster College and the Classical Greek Theatre Festival will perform “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles, hosted by the Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Monday, Sept. 23, at 5 p.m. at the de Jong Concert Hall.

Based on works from “Industrial Sublime: Photographs by Edward Burtynsky”

The Brigham Young University School of Music will host a pair of performances as part of this year's Double Reed Roundup. Admission to both events is free and the public is welcome to attend. - Oboist Michele Fiala and bassoonist George Sakakeeny will present a guest recital Friday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. Fiala and Sakakeeny will perform works by Mozart, Paul Reade, Poulenc, Ibert and others. They will be joined in performances by BYU faculty Geralyn Giovannetti, oboe; Christian Smith, bassoon; and Jeffrey Shumway, piano. Sakakeeny, a professor at Oberlin College, has performed as a soloist throughout the world and presented several world premieres. He is a master teacher and a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. An assistant professor of music at Ohio University, Fiala has performed as a soloist and ensemble artists throughout the United States. She holds advanced degrees from Arizona State University. - The Orpheus Winds Trio and the Sundance Trio will present a faculty recital Saturday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. The Orpheus Winds Trio will perform works by Koestier, Hetu and Jaren Hinckley. The Sundance Trio performs the second half of the program with works by Alyssa Morris, Planel and Mahle. Geralyn Giovannetti, oboe, Jaren Hinckley, clarinet, and Christian Smith, bassoon comprise the Orpheus Winds Trio. The Sundance Trio includes Giovannetti, oboe, Smith, bassoon, and Jed Moss piano. For more information, contact Ken Crossley at (801) 422-9348. Source: BYU News

Dear Student,

BYU graduate Madalyne Marie Hymas recently won one of the 12 awards of excellence and a $2,000 prize in the Kennedy Center’s 2013 VSA/Volkswagen Group of America Exhibition Program. The program aims to showcase and support emerging artists with disabilities, and Hymas’ artwork, “The Dyslexic Advantage,” will appear alongside the works of the 15 other finalists in the exhibition In/finite Earth, showcased at the Smithsonian Institution’s S. Dillon Ripley Center in Washington, D.C., this fall.

The Laycock Center at the Brigham Young University will present “The Laycock Duos,” Saturday, Sept. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall, to accompany the release of a new CD from BYU’s Tantara Records. Tickets can be purchased at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-2981 or byuarts.com/tickets. Tickets are $6 and include a free CD. The evening will feature BYU faculty, student and alumni artists performing improvised duos, including Ray Smith, Steve Ricks, Ben Nichols, Christian Asplund and others, with visiting musicians John Butcher, Stuart Dempster, Malcolm Goldstein, LaDonna Smith and William O. Smith. The Laycock Center for Creative Collaboration in the Arts was established to create opportunities for students in the College of Fine Arts and Communications to collaborate with master mentors. For more information on Tantara Records, visit www.byumusicstore.com/tantara-records/. For details on the recital, contact Ken Crossley at (801) 422-9348. Source: BYU News