WashU Music

06/01/2026

Give the gift of music today by joining the WashU Friends of Music! ⬇

Joining the WashU Friends of Music means becoming part of a vibrant community that celebrates creativity, performance, and the joy of making music. Our members help fuel the energy, excellence, and imagination that thrive at WashU Music.

Your membership makes a true difference. You help students chase dreams—whether that’s taking private lessons for the very first time, diving into advanced study, or performing on stage in one of our many ensembles.

What Does Your Membership Support?

Private Lessons:
Help students who want to learn an instrument but need financial support to make it happen. WashU Friends of Music helped 125 students achieve their goals this last academic year!

Summer Opportunities:
Support students headed to prestigious summer music programs.

Big Moments on Stage:
Friends of Music sponsors the annual Concerto and Aria Competition—a highlight of the year for our students.

Washington University in St. Louis WashU Arts & Sciences

05/18/2026

Get your tickets before they are gone! The Great Artists Series 26-27 10th Anniversary Season subscriptions are on sale today! Our outstanding lineup will be joined by pianist Yuja Wang in our special 10th Anniversary Celebration performance. More info ⬇

Washington University in St. Louis WashU Arts & Sciences Winds Viano Quartet Jennifer Johnson Cano, Mezzo Soprano

05/11/2026

We are so excited to present these amazing musicians in our 10th Anniversary Season of the Great Artists Series! (🔗 with more info in the comments)

The season celebrates a decade of world-class music in St. Louis with a lineup of change-makers, including an intimate anniversary performance by the Grammy-winning pianist.

05/07/2026

“St. Louis on the Air” featured Lauren Eldridge Stewart, Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology, in a discussion about the significance of protest music in St. Louis and American history.

https://www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2026-04-23/protest-music-st-louis-american-history

Washington University in St. Louis Arts & Sciences

05/06/2026

The Department of Music is pleased to announce that Alex Stefaniak will serve as Chair of the Department of Music beginning July 1, 2026.

A dedicated advocate for our students, faculty, and programs, Alex brings thoughtful leadership and a deep commitment to the department.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to Patrick Burke for his tireless service and leadership as chair. His work has helped shape an exciting future for WashU Music.

Please join us in congratulating Alex and thanking Pat for his outstanding leadership and service to the department.

Washington University in St. Louis WashU Arts & Sciences

05/04/2026

In March, we had the pleasure of hosting acclaimed composer Kevin Puts at one of our Department of Music Lectures. In this article, the St. Louis-born composer reflects on his year spent as composer-in-residence with the St. Louis Symphony.

In late March, the composer Kevin Puts, who was invited to deliver a public lecture at Washington University, sat before a packed room to discuss his season-long artistic relationship with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, where he currently serves as the composer-in-residence. Among the crowd were....

05/04/2026

Please join us in congratulating Paul Steinbeck on his promotion to (full) Professor of Music at WashU.

A leading scholar of experimental music and improvisation, Steinbeck’s work explores the groundbreaking contributions of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). https://music.washu.edu/people/paul-steinbeck

Washington University in St. Louis WashU Arts & Sciences

04/29/2026

🎶 We have a full weekend of student performances at WashU Music!

🎼 Friday, May 1 at 2 PM
Bo Canfield — Senior Major Capstone Recital (Composition)
Experience an original album “Horse”—a collection of 15 songs written over the past year, performed live with an ensemble including voice, piano, bass, drums, and trumpet.

🎶 Saturday, May 2 at 3 PM
Michelle Zhang — Junior Major Recital (Oboe)
Principal oboist of the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, Zhang presents a program including Moeran’s Fantasy Quartet and Heucke’s Oboe Sonata, Op. 55.

🎹 Saturday, May 2 at 6 PM
Arim Fremont — Senior Minor Recital (Piano)
An evening of piano masterworks featuring Beethoven’s “Pathétique” Sonata, Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C-sharp minor, and music by Debussy and Liszt.

🎤 Sunday, May 3 at 11 AM
Sofia La Rosa — Junior Major Recital (Voice)
A vocal program spanning Handel, Mozart, Strauss, Gounod, Rodrigo, and more.

📍 560 Music Center | Recital Hall
🎟️ Free admission

04/29/2026

Join us for the grand finale of the Great Artists Series with cellist Steven Isserlis and pianist Connie Shih—an internationally acclaimed duo praised for their “spontaneity and lyrical delight.” Isserlis is described as a true living cello legend and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his musical contributions. He and his Stradivarius cello are sure to mesmerize our audience for this final concert of the 2026 Great Artists Series! Details in the comments ⬇

📅 Thursday, April 30
🕢 7:30 PM
📍 E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall, 560 Music Center

Program:
• Beethoven: Variations on Die Zauberflöte
• Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
• Kabalevsky: Cello Sonata
• Kaprálová: Ritournelle
• Beethoven: Cello Sonata No. 3

🎟️ Tickets: $15–$40

Washington University in St. Louis WashU Arts & Sciences Steven Isserlis

04/28/2026

Join us today for the senior minor voice recital of Oluwatoni John.

🗓 Tuesday, April 28 at 4:30 PM
📍 Recital Hall, 560 Music Center
🎟 Free and open to the public

Washington University in St. Louis WashU Arts & Sciences