There are so many things to do in Adams County, and cultural arts events are part of the offerings. Here’s a list for April, thanks to Gail Jones.
April 4 from 5 to 7 pm – First Friday Art Exhibition Adams County Arts Council The Land Conservancy kicks off its Art Auction Preview with a wine-and-cheese reception to look at the art up for bid and to meet many of this year’s generous donor-artists. Over the past 27 years of the Art Auction, they have raised more than $460,000 – funds that have made possible the preservation of over 13,500 acres of unspoiled rural land, forever. The auction will be virtual via BiddingOwl.com and lasts from April 4 -22. Also on display will be the 29th Annual Recyclable Art Contest. Free admission. www.adamsarts.org
April 4 at 7 pm – Poetry First Friday Ragged Edge Coffee House Grab a coffee and a baked treat and head upstairs for a poetry session with an open mic at 7 followed by guest poet and author Martin Farawell. You may recognize his name from his many years as Director of the Dodge Poetry Festival and his numerous publications. Free admission.
April 4 at 8 pm – Sunderman Conservatory Wind Symphony Concert Majestic Theater Gettysburg College music students, under the baton of Dr. Russell McCutcheon, present their spring concert. This event features alto saxophonist Orazio Thomas, winner of the Concerto Competition, performing Paul Creston’s “Concerto for Saxophone” accompanied by the Wind Symphony. Tickets are $5 and free for children and those with a college ID. www.gettysburg.edu/sunderman
April 5 at 6:30 pm – Songs and Stories of a Civil War Hospital Christ Lutheran Church This special “Songs and Stories” commemorates the birthday of Thaddeus Stevens. Music will begin on the church front porch at 6:30 and will move inside at 7 pm. The program includes a first-person narrative from the director of the Thaddeus Stevens Society, stories of local African-American women who resisted enslavement, readings from the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th amendment, and the singing of several well-known songs of the Civil War Era. If you enjoy history and songs, this event is for you. Admission is free and donations are gratefully accepted.
April 5 at 8 pm – Gettysburg College Choir Concert Christ Chapel – Gettysburg College Under the direction of Dr. Rob Natter, the College Choirs present their spring concert for your listening pleasure. Tickets are $5 at the door or free with college ID. www.gettysburg.edu/sunderman
April 7 at Noon – Music in Musselman The Apse in Musselman Library The Sunderman Wind Quintet presents a delightful program of chamber music. The quintet is comprised of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn faculty members. Admission is free and you may bring a packed lunch. www.gettysburg.edu/musselman
April 8 at 7:30 pm – ensemble 132 St. James Lutheran Church Gettysburg Community Concert Association presents this American collective of soloists and chamber musicians of the highest caliber. The only group of its kind to continually create and premiere new standards in the chamber music repertoire, ensemble 132 excites the imagination of audiences across the country with its uniquely genre-defying programs. Tickets are available online or at the door and are $50 for the season. www.gettysburgcca.org
April 11 and 12 at 7:30 pm – An Evening of Comedy and Music with Isabel Hagen Majestic Theater On April 11 Isabel Hagen will host and headline an evening cabaret showcasing local talent and on April 12 will perform along with a guest comedian and pianist. Isabel is a stand-up comedian and classically trained viola performer. As a comic, she has been featured twice on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and was a new Face of Comedy at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal. Isabel started stand-up right after earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in viola performance from the Julliard School. Her writing has inspired articles in the New York times, and she is soon to release a full- length feature film. Dinner available before the show. Tickets are $35 and $20 for ages 25 and under. www.gettysburgmajestic.org
April 13 at 3:00 pm – Sunderman Conservatory Symphony Band Majestic Theater Under the direction of Dr. Steven Marx, the Symphony Band presents their spring concert featuring classic concert band literature. This ensemble is comprised of Gettysburg College students and community members who love to play band music. Tickets are $5 or free with college ID. www.gettysburgmajestic.org
April 13 at 7:30 pm – Passion Sunday Vespers United Lutheran Seminary Chapel Music Gettysburg presents the Schola Cantorum directed by Dr. Steven Folkemer, with a service of Evening Prayer focusing on the crucifixion of Christ and its benefits, as they were presented by the greatest composers of the last four centuries. Admission and parking are free, with freewill donations gratefully accepted. www.musicgettyburg.org
April 16 at 7:30 pm – American Spiritual Ensemble Christ Chapel – Gettysburg College A critically-acclaimed professional group composed of some of the finest singers in the classical music world, these vocalists have thrilled audiences around the world with their dynamic renditions of classic spirituals and Broadway numbers. This is a performance/workshop and admission is free. www.gettysburg.edu/sunderman
April 17-19 at 7 pm and April 19 at 2 pm – Stupid F*cking Bird Kline Theatre – Gettysburg College Written by playwright Aaron Posner, this adaptation from “The Seagull” by Anton Chekhov is directed by Professor Chris Kauffman and performed by students of the Theatre Arts Department. Warning: The play contains vulgar language, suicidal ideation, and behavior. Free admission, no tickets or reservations required.
April 18 at 7:30 pm – Sunderman Conservatory Orchestra Concert Majestic Theater Gettysburg College Choir, U.S. Soldiers Chorus, and the American Spiritual Ensemble Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear two internationally renowned choral ensembles in addition to Gettysburg College’s Orchestra and Choir! The major work on the program, conducted by Dr. Cesar Leal, is “Credo” by Margaret Bonds with text by W.E.B. Du Bois. It features Soprano, Baritone Solo, Chorus and Piano. This is a wonderful and rare opportunity to hear these ensembles in our own community, sponsored by The Sunderman Conservatory. Tickets are $5 and free with college ID. www.gettysburgmajestic.org
April 19 at 8:00 pm – Jazz Ensemble Concert Majestic Theater Gettysburg College students, under the direction of Dr. Amanda Heim, present an evening of big band jazz including the many styles of jazz – swing, Latin, fusion, bop, and the American Songbook. Tickets are $5 and free with college ID. www.gettysburgmajestic.org
April 25 and 26 at 7:30 pm – Opera Workshop Performance Majestic Theater Sunderman Conservatory vocalists, under the direction of Dr. Susan Hochmiller, present their annual opera production complete with staging and costumes. Two short comic operas will be performed are “A Game of Chance” written by Seymour Barab in 1957 and “La Canterina” written by Joseph Haydn in 1766. Tickets are $5 and free with college ID. www.gettysburgmajestic.org
April 25 – May 11 – Disney’s The Jungle Book – KIDS Gettysburg Community Theatre The jungle is jumping with a jazzy beat in this popular show. Specially adapted from the classic Disney animated film, this show features a host of colorful characters and your favorite songs from the movie. Presented by talented local children, this show will keep the audience entertained and inspired. Shows are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at various times. Check website for tickets ($25) and dates. www.gettysburgcommunitytheatre.org
April 27 at 4:00 pm – Gettysburg Children’s Choir United Lutheran Seminary Chapel Once more, Music Gettysburg hosts the spring concert for this talented group of young people, directed by Dr. Kyle Weary. Admission and parking are free with a freewill offering taken at intermission. www.musicgettysburg.org
April 27 at 7:00 pm – Sunderman Conservatory Jazz Combo Paul Recital Hall This small jazz ensemble, under the direction of Erik Byrd, presents the final performance of the year with plenty of improvisation and enthusiasm. Tickets are $5 or free with college ID. www.gettysburg.edu/sunderman
Gail Jones has enjoyed a twenty-five-year career as a music educator in Pennsylvania and Maryland public schools as well as teaching music education methods at Gettysburg College for over a decade. She has also served as a guest conductor, French horn player, and private music instructor.
Gail has a deep appreciation for live music performances of all genres and encourages Adams County residents to attend the many concerts offered in our community.