It may be hard to imagine that there are so many cultural events in our small town in one month, but it is quite true. April brings with it over fifteen opportunities to attend concerts, operas (four of them!), poetry readings, and plays.
Invite a friend and enjoy the lively arts together.
A shout out this month to the Sunderman Conservatory students at Gettysburg College, as they perform their end-of-the-semester concerts.
Please see their listings below and come support these young musicians in their endeavors.
Do not miss the Gettysburg Children’s Choir and Chorale at the very end of the month, as they are a local treasure and a joy to hear.
Find a complete list of events, dates, and times on the Gettysburg Connection Events Calendar:
Calendar
Saturday April 1 at 12:30 p.m. – Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi: Majestic Theater
In collaboration with Met Live in HD, the Majestic Theater streams this favorite opera completewith an in-person preconcert lecture by nationally recognized opera expert, Kay Hoke, one hour prior to the performance. Adults -$25 Seniors – $21 Students – $17
Sunday April 2 at 7:30 p.m. – Passion Sunday Vespers: United Lutheran Seminary Chapel
Under the direction of Stephen Folkemer, the Schola Cantorum ushers in Holy Week with choral works by Thomas Tallis and Heinrich Schütz, among others. This event is free and open to the public. Offerings are received. Ample free parking.
Friday April 7 at 7:00 p.m. – First Friday Poetry: Ragged Edge Coffeehouse
Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Ragged Edge with featured poet David Bergman. He is the author or editor of over 20 books, Professor Emeritus at Towson University, and was named poet-of-the-year by Passager, a journal for poets over 50. Open mic begins at 7:00 p.m. so bring a poem or two to share. Coffee and goodies available at the coffeeshop.
Friday April 14 – 23 – Descendants, the Musical: Gettysburg Community Theatre
Check the website for specific dates, times and tickets.
Friday April 14 at 8:00 p.m. – Gettysburg College Symphony Orchestra: Majestic Theater
Under the baton of Gettysburg College graduate Scott Kaliszak ’16, the Orchestra will present their final concert of the academic year. Beethoven Symphony #5, Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens, an overture by Rossini, a medley from the Broadway show Chicago and film music from Star Wars round out the program. Tickets are $5 and children are admitted free of charge.
Saturday April 15 at 12:00 p.m. – Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss: Majestic Theater
In collaboration with Met Live in HD, the Majestic Theater presents this beautiful, comedic opera. The presentation is preceded by an in-person lecture with opera expert Kay Hoke at 11:00 a.m.
Adults – $25 Seniors – $21 Students – $17
Saturday April 15 at 8:00 p.m. – Gettysburg College Choir: Christ Chapel on G.C. Campus
The talented and energetic College Choir presents their spring concert under the direction of Dr. Robert Natter. Enjoy an evening of beautiful and diverse choral works. Tickets are $5 and children admitted free of charge.
Sunday April 16 at 3:00 p.m. – Gettysburg College Symphony Band: Majestic Theater
The Symphony Band is a college/community band that rehearses traditional band literature on Monday evenings under the direction of Dr. Steven Marx. Come and enjoy “Winds of Spring” as you hear college students perform in collaboration with your musician friends and neighbors. Tickets are $5 while students and children are admitted free of charge.
Monday April 17 at 12:00 p.m. – Sunderman Wind Quintet : Gettysburg College Musselman Library
As the final performance in Musselman Library’s Notes at Noon concert series, the faculty woodwind quintet will perform a delightful, free concert in the apse of the library. You are welcome to pack a lunch or salad and enjoy a free beverage and dessert while listening.
Monday April 17 at 12:00 and 7:00 p.m. – The Crucible by Arthur Miller: Majestic Theater
In conjunction with National Theatre Live in London, the Majestic presents this 1953 play by American playwright Arthur Miller. Based on the Salem, Massachusetts witch trials of 1692, this fictional play tells the story of a village that becomes embroiled in a witch hunt. Written during the McCarthy Era in the 1950’s, its themes of fear and blaming the “other” resonate today. Tickets are $21.
Tuesday April 18 at 7:30 p.m. – Telegraph Quartet: St. James Lutheran Church
Gettysburg Community Concert Association presents this internationally award-winning San Francisco string quartet. The Telegraph Quartet performs at festivals and venues all over the world to great acclaim. Do not miss this opportunity to hear a world class quartet here in Gettysburg. Free parking in the St. James parking lot.
GCCA Season Membership – $50; Single ticket – $20; Children College Students – Free with ID
Saturday April 22 at 8:00 p.m. – Gettysburg College Jazz Ensemble: Majestic Theater
Under the direction of Dr. Amanda Heim, the revitalized College Jazz Ensemble presents their final concert of the school year. Come and enjoy this lively group of students as they perform America’s indigenous art form – jazz. Tickets are $5 while students and children are admitted free of charge.
Thursday April 27 and Friday April 28 at 7:30 p.m. – The Magic Flute by W.A. Mozart: Majestic Theater
The Sunderman Conservatory voice students present this comedic opera under the direction of Dr. Scott Crowne and Dr. Kyle Weary. Spoken dialogue will be in English while the arias and choral pieces will be sung in German. Come out and support these young singers for an entertaining evening. Tickets are $5 while students and children admitted free of charge.
Saturday April 29 at 1:00 p.m. – Champion by Terence Blanchard: Majestic Theater
The Majestic and Met Live in HD present the very first opera written by six-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard, after the triumphant reception of his subsequent opera Fire Shut Up in My Bones. Champion tells the story of young boxer Emile Griffiths, sung by Ryan Speedo Green, who rises from obscurity to become a world champion. Bass-baritone Eric Owens portrays Griffith’s older self, haunted by the ghosts of his past. Pre-concert lecture by Opera expert Kay Hoke begins at noon.
Adults – $25 Seniors – $21 Students – $17
Sunday April 30 at 4:00 p.m.- Gettysburg Children’s Choir: United Lutheran Seminary Chapel
Music Gettysburg hosts these delightful young singers under the direction of Matt Carlson, a Gettysburg College graduate and Bermudian Springs faculty member. This performance will also feature the high school-age Chorale, fresh from their invitational performance at the Pennsylvania State Music Association Conference. Join these fine young musicians as they perform music from all over the world. This event is free with ample free parking. Offerings are received.
Featured image post: Champion from the New York Metropolitan Opera
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.
Thank you so much for this Cultural Arts Calendar, what a great contribution to our lives! I feel inspired just reading it.
Thank you so much for listing all these cultural events. It’s not easy to gather them all in one place like this! My only suggestion would be to include links to the venues or tickets for those of us that are lazy to google them. That would make it perfect! Thanks again for all you do for the community arts.
Thanks so much for this great compilation — what a great banquet of performances!!