The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University is preparing for a monumental milestone, beginning a multiyear celebration this fall in honor of the school’s 50th anniversary. The celebratory crescendo begins with the 2024-25 season, which features an array of bold and dynamic programming for its orchestra, opera and chamber music programs, plus recitals by faculty and guest artists performing numerous world premiere works.
“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Shepherd School of Music, there’s a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation for the 2024-25 season,” said Shepherd School Dean Matthew Loden. “This milestone gives us the opportunity to reflect on our program’s history as we chart an ambitious course for the next 50 years alongside our talented students, faculty and alumni. We can’t wait to share this remarkable season with the Houston community and music lovers around the world.”
Founded in 1974 with students first enrolling in the music program in 1975, the Shepherd School has become one of the nation’s premier music schools that is truly unique — where the world’s brightest musical talents can combine a world-class conservatory experience with the limitless opportunity of a leading research university. This 50th anniversary season will celebrate the school’s deep connection to the community, its preeminent faculty and its global alumni network while also looking ahead to the future of the musical arts.
Season highlights include:
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An array of events celebrating the Shepherd School’s 50th anniversary: an alumni party on the Piazza in November, a free community day and bilingual family concert of “Peter and the Wolf” with conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya in March and a gala celebrating 50 years of music at the Shepherd School in the fall of 2025, as well as a collection of commissioned works by Shepherd School composition faculty in honor of the anniversary.
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10 symphony and chamber orchestra performances led by six conductors, blending tradition and timeless classics with innovation and new compositions. Selections include Dvořák’s “New World Symphony” and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 as well as contemporary works such as Joel Thompson’s “To See the Sky,” Gabriela Ortiz’s “Antrópolis” and an entire concert of five new pieces written by Shepherd School composition alumni. Four Shepherd School concerto competition winners are featured throughout the season.
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Handel’s “Alcina” (Louis Lohraseb, conductor; Crystal Manich, director) and John Corigliano’s “The Ghosts of Versailles” (Shepherd School alumnus Benjamin Manis, conductor; Patricia Racette, director) presented by Shepherd School Opera with the Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra.
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Expanded free livestreams from Stude Concert Hall on the Shepherd School’s website, including Shepherd School Chamber Players, Campanile Orchestra and the Shepherd School Contemporary Ensemble’s fall performance featuring the music of Guest Composer-in-Residence Christopher Theofanidis.
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A Spanish-language recital to honor Hispanic Heritage Month by GRAMMY® Award-winning soprano and Shepherd School faculty member Ana María Martínez and Shepherd School voice students in Brockman Hall for Opera’s Morrison Theater.
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Bass-baritone Ryan McKinny and actress/director Tonya McKinny as the Aleko Endowed Master Class Artists, presenting both a master class and recital featuring Shepherd School vocal students.
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World-renowned violinists James Ehnes and Leila Josefowicz, pianist Yefim Bronfman and Ruckus baroque ensemble help Shepherd students hone their skills during master classes that are open to the public.
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Dedicated to artistry in contemporary chamber music, GRAMMY®-nominated ensemble Sandbox Percussion performs at the Shepherd School and collaborates with Shepherd composition students during a three-day residency.
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Several new faculty members, including Emmy Award-winning and GRAMMY®-nominated conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya joining the faculty as distinguished resident director of orchestras designate, Cristian Macelaru (’06, ’08) as distinguished visiting artist and Patrick Summers as distinguished lecturer in opera studies.
View the full Shepherd School event calendar
Calendar and ticketing information
With more than 400 events each season, many of which are free or at minimal cost, the Shepherd School offers a variety of programming options. The Shepherd School events calendar includes the latest schedule updates and which performances require tickets.
Tickets for most fall semester performances will go on sale Friday, Sept. 6. Tickets for Handel’s “Alcina” will be available Friday, Sept. 20, and Spirit of the Season tickets will be available in October. Tickets for spring semester performances will go on sale in the new year. Shepherd Society members at the Ambassador level ($250) and above get presale ticket access.
Patrons are encouraged to sign up for the Shepherd School’s email list for on-sale alerts.
Tickets are available online at music.rice.edu/events or over the phone at 713-348-8000 from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.