Temple University Symphony Orchestra and Choirs presented their 22nd annual Kimmel Center concert

by Boyer College
April 01
On March 18, the Temple University Symphony Orchestra and Choirs presented their 22nd annual concert at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. This year's concert was a true Temple affair, as Dean Robert T. Stroker and the Boyer College of Music and Dance presented the 2025 Boyer College Tribute Award to Temple Chancellor Richard M. Englert, in recognition of his enduring support for the arts and arts education at the University. Following opening remarks and the award presentation, Associate Professor Paul Rardin, who retires at the conclusion of the 24-25...

A look back at the making of ‘The Beggar’s Trio,’ a cross-disciplinary opera

by Kiki Volkert
March 12
See the making of an original interpretation of a classic play put on by students and faculty from Temple’s College of Liberal Arts; Boyer College of Music and Dance; and School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. On Jan. 26, 2025, faculty and students from Temple’s College of Liberal Arts; Boyer College of Music and Dance; and School of Theater, Film and Media Arts joined together for two performances of The Beggar’s Trio at the Temple Performing Arts Center’s Chapel of Four Chaplains. Read more and see the full photo gallery.

Temple University Wind Symphony to perform world premiere of 'Only Moments to Live’

by Jonny Hart
March 10
On Friday, March 14, the Temple University Wind Symphony will have the rare opportunity to bring a brand-new piece of music to life.  Temple’s top wind band will perform the world premiere of Only Moments to Live, a concerto composed by Emma O’Halloran, during its Old, New and Timeless program at the Temple Performing Arts Center. Temple is one of 15 institutions that commissioned the piece by O’Halloran, but the university’s wind symphony has the distinct honor of premiering the piece to the world. The wind symphony will also be recording the concerto on Saturday,...

Temple celebrates generous gift for music education program

by Brent Baum
January 29
The $50,000 gift from the Ian McGuire Music Scholarship Fund to Temple Music Prep’s Community Music Scholars Program will enhance access to music education for students from underserved communities. The Ian McGuire Music Scholarship Fund (IMMSF) recently awarded $50,000 to Temple University’s Music Preparatory Division within the Boyer College of Music and Dance. The gift will establish an endowed scholarship aimed at providing educational opportunities for aspiring musicians in the Philadelphia area.  Temple’s partnership with the nonprofit aims to further bridge...

WRTI Young Artist Spotlight: Drummer Mekhi Boone

by Lydia Veilleux
January 07
Drummer Mekhi Boone is the youngest of six children of Philadelphia jazz bassist and Temple University Professor Mike Boone and gospel singer and choir director Candi’ce Hinmon-Boone. Mekhi resides in North Wilmington and is in his first year as a jazz performance major at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance, where he studies with drummer Justin Faulkner. Learn more about Mekhi on WRTI.org.

Boyer's 2024 soloist competition awards five winners

by Boyer College
December 13
Five music students were selected as winners for the 43rd annual Boyer soloist competition. All will perform with the Temple University Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, April 24 at the Temple Performing Arts Center. Jonathan Bywater (BM in Horn Performance), student of Ernesto Tovar Torres: GLIÈRE Horn Concerto, Op. 91 Ruslan Dashdamirov (MM in Violin Performance), student of Eduard Schmieder: AMIROV Mugham Poema Evgeniya Khomutova (MM in Voice Performance), student of Christine Anderson: SERRANO "Qué te importa que no venga" / VALVERDE "Tango de la Menegilda...

Temple Opera Theater wins first place in National Opera Association collegiate competition

by Boyer College
November 21
Temple Opera Theater's Spring 2024 production of Handel's Ariodante was awarded first place in Division V of the National Opera Association (NOA) Opera Production Competition. The goal of the competition is to further the organization’s mission by encouraging and rewarding creative, high-quality opera productions at academic institutions and music conservatories. NOA takes into consideration all areas of production including performers, orchestra, design and directing. Learn more and view the full list of winners.

Temple shares details regarding ‘pathbreaking project’ for Klein College of Media and Communication and Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts

by Stephen Orbanek
November 19
This spring, Temple University will break ground on a new facility for the Klein College of Media and Communication and the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts. The project will be situated on the west side of North Broad Street directly across from the entrance to Polett Walk.  When complete, the 199,000-square-foot facility will expand and modernize teaching spaces for Klein College; the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts (TFMA); and the Boyer College of Music and Dance. Just as importantly, it will also serve as a community hub for activity, education...

WRTI Young Artist Spotlight: Vibraphonist Nora Theberge

by Lydia Veilleux
November 12
Nora Theberge is a twenty-year-old jazz vibraphonist from New Hampshire. She is a vibraphone jazz performance major in her junior year at Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University with a minor in public relations. This program provides her with the opportunity to meet and gain experience from fellow aspiring jazz musicians and respected professionals. Her mentor and teacher, Tony Miceli, is one of the main reasons she came to Philadelphia. When she isn’t playing or listening to music, Nora loves to tap dance and is currently a dance captain for Temple Tappers, a...

The Diamond Marching Band: Where harmony and friendship meet

by Jonny Hart
September 27
Members of the Diamond Marching Band often meet for the first time at band camp, but the bonds they form can last for decades after their marching days are over. On a hot, sunny August morning, while most students are off working summer internships or enjoying the last few weeks of vacation, one group of Owls is already forming connections and working together in preparation for the approaching school year. Members of Temple’s Diamond Marching Band often refer to their work as the pride of the cherry and white. The band fulfills many important missions, like welcoming...

Boyer College of Music and Dance honors legendary WRTI jazz host Bob Perkins

by Boyer College
September 18
This Thursday at 6 PM on Temple University Ambler Campus, the Boyer College of Music and Dance will help kick off this year's Montco Jazz Festival by honoring legendary WRTI jazz host Bob Perkins with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Director of Jazz Studies Terell Stafford will present the award, followed by a performance by saxophonist Josh Lee, BYR '16, '19, and his big band, the Extended Family. Admission and parking are free for this exciting event. Read more about Perkins' remarkable broadcasting career

Jasper String Quartet: Ringing in the Next 50 Years of Temple Center City on a Positive Note

by James Duffy
September 17
Listen to the individual voices of a string quartet. The instruments are talking to one another, says J Freivogel, violinist with the Jasper String Quartet."When you see a string quartet play live, you really see a conversation that's happening between the instruments. I think it's quite a bit more thrilling to see a quartet and hear a quartet live than to hear it on a recording," he said. "As you study music, as you listen to music, you become not just a musician, but a music lover. I think it touches an almost spiritual part of who we are as people."Freivogel with Rachel...

Getting into the groove: Temple Dance Department celebrates 50 years

by Maria Klecko
September 04
Looking down on the Tomlinson Theater stage, Terry Beck, BYR ’79, felt mesmerized. Up in the lighting booth, he watched bodies sway as the Zero Moving Dance Company rehearsed. At the time, he was a special education major fulfilling a work-study job. Beck didn’t know much about dance or theater, but he was inspired. He took as many dance classes as he could, eventually matriculating to the Dance Department and joining the dance company he once observed from afar. Now Beck is returning to the Tomlinson Theater stage to perform as a guest artist. This event on Sept. 6 and 7...

Diamond Marching Band selected to perform in Macy’s 2025 Thanksgiving Day Parade

by Ayana Jones
August 29
The Temple University Diamond Marching Band is excited to bring its rhythmic flair to New York for the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Diamond Marching Band is one of nine bands chosen by Macy’s to perform in the annual holiday spectacle that is televised nationally on NBC.  The band was informed of the selection when Temple and Macy’s made a surprise announcement Sunday afternoon following an exhibition performance. As part of the announcement, Charlie Bibeault, store manager for Macy’s Center City, presented the Diamond Marching Band with a $10,000...

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra celebrates the 100th Birthday of its Legendary Founder with Centennial: The Music of Thad Jones

by DL Media / Shaun Brady
August 15
Recorded Live at the Iconic Village Vanguard, Centennial Features an All-Star Ensemble Including Dick Oatts, Douglas Purviance, Terell Stafford, Billy Drewes, Gary Smulyan and Others Available August 30 via BCM+D March 28, 2023 would have marked the 100th birthday of the legendary trumpeter, composer and bandleader Thad Jones, who passed away in 1986 at the age of 63. Always ahead of his time, Jones had anticipated the occasion by more than four decades, recording “My Centennial” in 1980 with his big band Eclipse.   That piece inevitably makes up part of the...

UArts students find new home at Temple

by Stephen Orbanek
August 08
Temple University and its schools and colleges have continued to work diligently to meet students where they are. As a community of more than 30,000 students, Temple might have seemed like a daunting place to students who were attending the much smaller UArts. Yet, what they’ve reported is that they have found a welcoming community of faculty, staff and fellow students of the arts. Since the sudden closure was announced, Temple has hosted two orientation sessions solely for UArts transfers.