The Shepherd School of Music

10/28/2026

The photos are in! Don’t miss the Shepherd School of Music's dazzling production of Strauss’s "Ariadne auf Naxos" on Friday, Oct 30 at 7:30pm and Sunday, Nov 1 at 2:00pm.

Tickets available at music.rice.edu

Creative Team:
Christian Reif, conductor
Paul Curran, director
Joshua Winograde, Director of Opera Studies
Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra

📷: Lynn Lane

10/27/2026

Spend a day in the life with master’s student Jordan Twadell as she steps into the role of Ariadne in Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos! 🎭✨

From acting class with director Paul Curran to getting dolled up in full wigs and stage makeup, Jordan takes us through her preparations for the first piano dress rehearsal.

Don't miss Strauss’s brilliant, hilarious opera come to life with a full orchestra this weekend, conducted by Christian Reif!

🗓️ Fri, Oct 30 at 7:30pm and Sun, Nov 1 at 2:00pm
📍 Morrison Theater, Brockman Hall for Opera

Reserve tickets online: https://ow.ly/5Llv5101v9E

10/27/2026

10/25/2026

Don't miss this week's special events at the Shepherd School of Music! All events are free, general admission, unless otherwise noted.

Guest Artist Master Class: Robert Blocker, Piano
Mon, Oct 26 at 7:30pm in Duncan Recital Hall

Faculty Recital: Arthur Gottschalk presents "L'Histoire de Pinocchio"
Tue, Oct 27 at 7:30pm in Wortham Theatre

Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos (tickets required)
Fri, Oct 30 at 7:30pm and Sun, Nov 1 at 2:00pm in Morrison Theater

Halloween Concert: Organ students of Ken Cowan
Sat, Oct 31 at 8:00pm in Edythe Bates Old Recital Hall

Learn more at music.rice.edu/events

10/24/2026

On October 24, the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra performs Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan,” marking the beginning of a planned multi-year journey through Mahler’s symphonic output, led by Director of Orchestras Miguel Harth-Bedoya.

On November 7, the journey continues as Shepherd School vocalists join the orchestra to present a selection of Mahler’s most tender and transcendent orchestral songs.

Watch livestreams, reserve tickets, and learn more at music.rice.edu/events!

10/22/2026

This Saturday marks the inaugural event of our new Music and Ideas Series, organized by the Shepherd School musicology department!

When: Sat, Oct 24 at 6:00pm
Where: Duncan Recital Hall in Alice Pratt Brown Hall

All are invited to this talk led by Dr. Douglas W. Shadle, Associate Professor of Musicology at Vanderbilt University – FREE, no tickets needed (though tickets are needed for the orchestra concert at 7:30pm).

Learn more: https://ow.ly/7s5x5100gy7

10/21/2026

So much great news! 👏 Congratulations to our Shepherd School musicians on these recent appointments to top orchestras across North America.

10/21/2026

At 15, Electroacoustic Music Specialist Chapman Welch was living a musical double life, practicing classical music while playing electric guitar for pay in bars. Those two worlds met Oct 8-9 at the Adventurous Electric Guitar Festival, which brought guitarists, composers, technologists and students to Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music for two days of concerts, talks and workshops.

Erik Broess, assistant professor of musicology, opened the festival with a keynote address on the instrument’s reputation. Shepherd School students took part on both days, performing on the opening program and joining Friday’s panels alongside visiting artists.

This year's festival took place in Houston with support from Rice’s Creative Ventures Fund and Rice Electroacoustic Music Labs, known as REMLABS.

10/19/2026

✉️ An invitation to all Shepherd School of Music alumni!

Join fellow alumni, esteemed faculty, and members of the Class of 2027 for an evening of reconnection on Friday, November 13 at 5:30pm.

We would love to welcome you back to campus for this special Shepherd School reception, as part of Rice's Alumni Weekend (Nov 12-15)!

Learn more and RSVP today: https://ow.ly/lP3350ZYze4

10/16/2026

Today is the day! Tickets are on sale now for "An Evening with Renée Elise Goldsberry" 🌟

Reserve tickets: https://ow.ly/SEbJ50ZYsnx

📣 Attention Rice students: the student ticket lottery is also officially OPEN! We’re giving away 100 complimentary tickets to see the Tony and Grammy Award-winning star live on Saturday, January 23 at 7:30pm in Morrison Theater.

Don't wait—fill out the entry form before it closes on October 30th! 🎟️✨

Enter now: https://forms.gle/CPenmxjink2vrG3y8