Music Department Shines with Back-to-Back Fall Events

Two fall concerts bring students, faculty, and the Brookhaven community together for a week of music, creativity, and connection 

Photo by Kate Wilson '27

Oglethorpe University’s music department is stepping into the spotlight with two events this

week designed to bring students, faculty, and the community together through live performance. The department will present its annual fall gala “Beneath the Hallowed Moon” on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. in the Conant Performing Arts Center, followed by a free outdoor concert, “Fall Sounds on Town Green” by The Jazzy Petrels the next evening at Town Brookhaven. 

The performances mark a season of change and growth for the department, which welcomed two new professors this semester, Nicolás Gutiérrez and Andrew Schmidt, Ph.D., both of whom bring fresh energy and a renewed commitment to expanding the role of music on campus. 

A New Chapter for Oglethorpe Music 

For Gutiérrez, “Beneath the Hallowed Moon” represents more than just a Halloween-themed concert, it’s a chance to showcase student dedication and raise awareness of the department’s growing potential. 

Beneath the Hallowed Moon poster

“This is a new chapter for the music program,” Gutiérrez said. “Our students have been working long hours, and we want audiences to have fun while seeing how much passion and effort goes into these performances. Events like this help bring recognition to what we’re building here.”

The gala will feature performances from all Oglethorpe ensembles, including the university choir,

orchestra, and jazz groups, culminating in a large-scale finale that brings every musician together on stage. The evening will also include pre- and post-concert receptions and a costume contest for audience members, a creative nod to the Halloween season. 

Schmidt, who helped organize the event, said the inspiration for the theme came naturally. “The time of year really influenced us,” he said. “We wanted to create a concert that felt festive and connected both to students and the broader Brookhaven community. Under new direction and with fresh ideas, the arts at Oglethorpe have so much room to grow, and this gala is one step toward that.”

Both professors share a long-term goal of helping Oglethorpe establish a music major, a step they believe will give students more opportunities to explore their artistic passions on campus. 

Students Step into the Spotlight 

The excitement isn’t limited to faculty. Students have spent the semester preparing for the performance, rehearsing multiple times a week to bring the gala to life. 

Angel Wildman ’26, a member of the Oglethorpe chorale, described the weeks leading up to the concert as both challenging and rewarding. 

“We’ve been rehearsing all semester,” they said. “We have three in-class rehearsals every week, plus chorale twice a week, and this week we even added two-hour evening rehearsals with the orchestra. It’s been a lot of work, but you can really feel the improvement.” 

For Wildman, the experience has been especially meaningful as they approach their final year at Oglethorpe. 

“Our director runs rehearsals like a group voice lesson,” they said. “It’s technical, but it’s also really personal. I’ve seen myself grow a lot as a singer, and since I’m a senior, every concert feels special.” 

Bringing Music to the Community 

While the gala celebrates Oglethorpe’s campus talent, The Jazzy Petrels’ upcoming performance at Town Brookhaven aims to strengthen ties with the local community. “Fall Sounds on Town Green” will feature live jazz under the open sky, just minutes from campus. 

Fall Sounds on Town Green poster

The concert is free and open to the public, inviting families, students, and Brookhaven residents to bring a blanket, relax, and enjoy a casual evening of music. The Jazzy Petrels, made up of student musicians, are part of the department’s ongoing effort to share Oglethorpe’s musical talent with the wider community and make the university’s music program more visible beyond campus. 

“Community events like this show that music doesn’t just belong inside the classroom,” Schmidt said. “It’s about connection — bringing people together and letting our students share what they love doing.” 

Looking Ahead

Both professors see this week’s concerts as the beginning of a new era for Oglethorpe’s music program. With growing student interest, dedicated faculty, and a series of public performances, the department is steadily building momentum toward a stronger, more visible future. 

“We want our students to feel supported and inspired,” said Gutiérrez. “We want the community to see the level of talent here at Oglethorpe. These events help make that possible.” 

With "Beneath the Hallowed Moon" filling Conant with haunting harmonies and The Jazzy Petrels bringing smooth sounds to Town Brookhaven, Oglethorpe’s music department is showing that this fall, the best place to be is wherever the music is playing.