Emens Auditorium Calendar

Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist and professor at Texas Tech and one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People, will deliver the Alice Procter Killey: “Science in a Fact-Free World.” The values that inspire the quest for higher education define ethical behavior in our political, economic, scientific and personal choices. So, how can good science inform sound societal decision-making?

Ryan & Ryan is a dynamic father-son piano duo that blends classic and contemporary music into a delightful concert experience. With remarkable credits as solo performers, Donald and Barron combine efforts to amaze audiences with their skill, expressiveness, and love of making music. Their experience in classical, jazz, ragtime, hip-hop, and funk allows them to create exciting new music and give fresh interpretations of old.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. The beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award®–winning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss” and the title song.

New Yorker Matt Beilis was born with his distinct voice. Some would say it’s unconventional, which would fit the personality of this singer/songwriter/pianist. Matt traded in his Ivy League education-along with a lucrative finance career--for a gig in a piano store, betting that his artistic talents would propel him beyond the comfort that his academic achievements all but guaranteed.

Bella Gaia (Beautiful Earth) is an unprecedented audio-visual experience that combines NASA satellite imagery of Earth, time-lapse nature photography, and live world music and dance on stage. Inspired by astronauts who spoke of the life-changing power of seeing the Earth from space, director-composer Kenji Williams' award-winning Bella Gaia successfully simulates the Overview Effect from space flight, by using NASA supercomputer data-visualizations with an "iridescent landscape of gossamer melodies and labyrinthine rhythms" (Nooga.com) to explore the relationship between humans and nature through time and space.

For almost a decade now, Peter, CEO of Wealth Educators International, has been crisscrossing the world, speaking with groups about how to secure their own financial future. Everyone can benefit from sound financial planning and Peter engages audiences of all backgrounds in ways to help them.

Top 40 Swingers! Imagine four Manhattan Transfer style vocalists doing swing versions of your favorite top 40 hits, and you’ve got Martini Pop! Whether a sophisticated cocktail hour, or an all-out dance party, this cool, stylish group complete with small jazz combo, or full big band is always a surprise hit with their fun retro versions of radio hits like: “Umbrella” (Rhianna), “We Are Young” (Fun), “Somebody That I Used to Know” (Gotye), “Rumor Has It” (Adele), and classics like “The Way You Look Tonight” (Michael Buble) and “Come Fly with Me” (Sinatra).

From an undergraduate singing group at Indiana University to a beloved Atlantic Records act with a devoted international fanbase. Along the way, Straight No Chaser has sold more than 1.6 million albums in the U.S. and amassed more than 100 million YouTube views thanks to tightly arranged songs, impeccable vocal harmonies, and a healthy sense of humor.

Susan Werner has done it again; the woman NPR named "Empress of the Unexpected" has brought forth another unique concept album with a national tour to match. Her hew EP, An American In Havana, is a collection of original songs inspired by Werner's recent travels to Cuba. The recording features performances and arrangements by legendary Cuban percussionist Marya Casales (Dizzy Gilespie, Tito Puente, Regina Carter), along with Werner's trademark songcraft and wry, poetic lyrics.