Department of Music at Valparaiso University

05/17/2026

Last week we celebrated Bach with Friends in a thrilling recital that honored the work of Prof. Maura Janton C**k and her years of teaching at performing at Valpo! It was a truly wonderful and emotional afternoon. You can still catch the performance online on our YouTube channel (search for Valpo Arts).

05/15/2026

We have been celebrating the accomplishments of our graduating seniors over the last few weeks and into this Commencement Weekend. This year's music banquet allowed us to honor a few of our juniors and seniors for excellence in scholarship and performance!

05/08/2026

The impact of Prof. Maura Janton C**k has been felt on our campus and beyond! We celebrate her 30+ year career at Valpo and will miss her greatly. Make plans to hear her at Grace Lutheran in River Forest (May 17) or on the Valpo campus on May 9 at 5 p.m.

05/08/2026

Saturday, May 9, 2026, 5 p.m.
Bach with Friends
Duesenberg Recital Hall, Center for the Arts

Featured on this program will be music faculty members Maura Janton C**k, Joseph Bognar, Diego Piedra and Katharina Uhde, joined by Baroque instrumentalists from the Chicago area and beyond. Repertoire includes the ebullient BWV 51 "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen," Bach's rediscovered aria "Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn' ihn,” the Trio Sonata from the Musical Offering, and excerpts from the Mass in B-minor. Performers include the founder and first director of the Bach Institute (2004-2022), Christopher M. C**k, and alumni Daniel Eifert and Angela Young Smucker.

05/07/2026

Come celebrate the end of the semester with an informal performance by the Jazz Ensemble, today at B&Bs in the Harre Union at 3:30 p.m.

05/01/2026

Make plans to attend the celebratory 28th annual Valparaiso University Sousa Tribute Concert honoring the USA 250 observance. The concert will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, 4:00 p.m., in the Chapel of the Resurrection. Admission is free for everyone, all seats are general admission, and no ticket is required.

The 28th annual Valparaiso University Sousa Tribute Concert will be a gala event to celebrate USA 250. The concert will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, 4:00pm, in the Chapel of the Resurrection.

Admission is free for everyone, all seats are general admission, and no ticket is required. Performing will be the Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band, Valparaiso University Luce Concert Band, Valparaiso University Chamber Concert Band, and Windiana Concert Band.

Guest soloists are all Valparaiso University alumni:
Kimberly Beasley ‘00, soprano, from the University of North Florida and Florida State College

MSG. Dr. EJ Ramos ‘04, trumpet, from the US Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”

MU1 Matthew Yee ‘24, euphonium, from the US Coast Guard Band

The full repertoire list includes:
NATIONAL
ANTHEM The Star-Spangled Banner arr. John Philip Sousa
OVERTURE “Grand Promenade” from Tales of a Traveler by John Philip Sousa
ENCORE National Emblem by Edwin Eugene Bagley

SOLO Pantomime by Philip Sparke
MU1 Matthew Yee ‘24, euphonium
ENCORE Semper Paratus by Francis S. van Boskerck, arr. Lewis J. Buckley

SOLO Il Bacio by Luigi Arditi
Kimberly Beasley ’00, soprano
ENCORE L’ultima canzona by Francesco Paolo Tosti
SELECTION Yearning to Breathe Free by Michele Fernandez
ENCORE The Liberty Bell by John Philip Sousa

—INTERVAL—

SELECTION Three Dances by Florence Price
ENCORE Castles in Europe by James Reese Europe

SOLO Memoriam by Matthew W. Pflug
MSG. Dr. EJ Ramos ’04, trumpet
ENCORE U.S. Field Artillery March by John Philip Sousa

SOLO Elisabeth’s Prayer by Richard Wagner
Kimberly Beasley ’00, soprano
ENCORE Dedication (Widmung) by Robert Schumann

DUET Fandango by Joseph Turrin
MSG. Dr. EJ Ramos ’04, trumpet; MU1 Matthew Yee ‘24, euphonium
ENCORE The Chimes of Liberty by Edwin Frano Goldman

PATRIOTIC
SALUTE Armed Services Medley

SING ALONG Amber Waves of Grain by James Curnow
ENCORE The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa

05/01/2026

Saturday, May 9, 2026, 5 p.m.
Bach with Friends
Duesenberg Recital Hall, Center for the Arts

Featured on this program will be music faculty members Maura Janton C**k, Joseph Bognar, Diego Piedra and Katharina Uhde, joined by Baroque instrumentalists from the Chicago area and beyond. Repertoire includes the ebullient BWV 51 "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen," Bach's rediscovered aria "Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn' ihn,” the Trio Sonata from the Musical Offering, and excerpts from the Mass in B-minor. Performers include the founder and first director of the Bach Institute (2004-2022), Christopher M. C**k, and alumni Daniel Eifert and Angela Young Smucker.

04/29/2026

Wednesday evening, April 29, we are hosting a "Meet and Greet" with two of our guest artists, MU1 Matthew Yee (euphonium) and MSG Dr. Eric J. Ramos (trumpet), featured soloists in the upcoming Sousa concert on May 2. This will be at 7:30 p.m. in the instrumental rehearsal room (Center for the Arts, room 1518). They will share stories of their careers in military music, the paths they followed to get there, and their individual and diverse journeys as students at Valparaiso University.

This event is open to all.

04/28/2026

Join us next week for the spring concert by our University Singers and Chamber Choir. The program will be an uplifting mix of madrigals, Celtic songs, traditional spirituals, and more! The program is on Tuesday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Duesenberg Recital Hall (Center for the Arts).