This 6th Annual Benefit Concert for the Homeless, brought to you by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, will feature The Sensational Soul Cruisers. All proceeds from this event will directly benefit the homeless programs and services provided by this 100-year-old social service agency that assists thousands of individuals and families in need. The Sensational Soul Cruisers are an 11-man horn group fronted by four soulful vocalists who pay homage and tribute to an array of classic soul and R&B performers. Their “Soul Town to Motown” tribute is a high energy and inspirational show. Enjoy a sensational night of music while supporting a very worthy cause.
Tickets: Gold Circle VIP $150, $75 Orchestra, Front Loge $50, Rear Loge $30
VIP Reception 5:30 – 7:00 PM
VIP package includes pre-show reception with catered food and drinks.
The must-see show from Las Vegas!
For over a decade, The Bronx Wanderers have captivated audiences from across the world, young and old with an electrifying show led by a father, his two sons, and their three high school friends They’ve played over 1 000 shows in Las Vegas at Bally’s and The Linq have won 4 “Best Of Las Vegas” Awards, were inducted into the East Coast Music Hall Of Fame, and have toured the country for 16 years We’re honored to finally bring you our show
Show includes hits from artists such as Frankie Valli, Dion, Brian Setzer, Queen, and
even Bruno Mars The show is a non stop whirlwind of musical, comedic, and
heartfelt moments that will leave you feeling like you’re a part of the family
The Bronx Wanderers is a celebration of American rock and roll and the story of one musical family, told through their favorite songs (and yours) with plenty of laughs and memories along the way.
For over a decade, the Adinolfi family has captured audiences of all ages from across the world. The Bronx Wanderers include former record producer and family patriarch Yo! Vinny, his two multi-talented sons, Vin A and Nicky Stixx, plus three of the most talented musicians who just happen to be their high school friends. Together, they take you on a musical, comedic and heartfelt journey through music’s biggest and most recognizable hit with great insider stories from Yo! Vinny’s 35-year career as a record producer, label executive and music publisher.
The Bronx Wanderers show is high energy showmanship at its best, featuring non-top hit after hit from artists such as Frankie Valli, Dion, Neil Diamond, Elvis, Billy Joel, Queen and Bruno Mars, just to name a few.
Truly a show for everyone of all ages, The Bronx Wanderers have played over 1000 shows on the Las Vegas strip, have been awarded “Best of Las Vegas” 3 years in a row, and have always been in the top ten of 188 shows in Las Vegas.
Gold Circle $50, Orchestra $42, Loge $40
The widely respected vocalist Karrin Allyson has a career that spans musical genres, including jazz and pop standards, the Great American Songbook, vocalise versions of instrumental jazz compositions, and repertoire in five different languages. She released 12 albums on the prestigious Concord label, and has received five Grammy nominations, including recognition for her all-Rodgers & Hammerstein CD and for her recreation of the iconic John Coltrane Ballads album, collaborating with the late WP jazz studies director and pianist James Williams. Her much-praised newest recording is Shoulder to Shoulder: A Centennial Tribute to Women’s Suffrage. We are excited that she has just joined the William Paterson adjunct jazz faculty this fall.
Each Jazz Room concert is preceded by Sittin’ In Meet-the-Artist session in Shea 101 Recital Hall one hour prior to performances. Sittin’ In is free to all ticket holders. This gives audience members the rare opportunity to meet and interact with the artist of the day in an intimate setting.
Admission: $15 General Public • $12 WP community & senior citizens • $8 Non-WP students • WP Students admitted free with ID • $5 additional charge on show day per ticket.
The Beatles music set the pop rock standard for most of the 1960's. Now, in the 2000's, The "Cast" of Beatlemania recalls the memories of that exciting era when the Fab Four ruled the world of rock 'n' roll.
In the early 1960's, The Beatles not only became a musical force but a sociological entity as well. Their hair, clothes and humor all contributed to their amazing impact. Probably the most celebrated of rock groups, The Beatles dominated rock music from the early 1960's until they formally disbanded in 1970. Originally inspired by such U.S. performers as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly, The Beatles recaptured most of the freshness and excitement of the earliest days of rock 'n' roll.
Even today, The Beatles remain universally popular in a music culture that thrives on look-alike and sound-alike bands. They were and remain unique in time through the artistry and talents of The "Cast" of Beatlemania
Tickets: Gold Circle $40, Orchestra $35, Loge $30
Spreading and recreating the traditional music of Veracruz, Mexico
Caña Dulce y Caña Brava offers a performance which exhibits the music, poetry, dance and traditional attire of Veracruz, Mexico, interpreted by artists who are beneficiaries of the jarocho culture and noteworthy performers with years of experience on both national and international stages. The group stands out as an artistic project that highlights feminine poetry and voices. Creating an experience that connects the spectator with distinct emotions, one is taken on voyage through multiple rhythms, accompanied by traditional string instruments such as the harp and the jarana, percussion and zapateado, poetic improvisation in rhyme and the projection of visual effects. Offering an assortment of colors, textures and images to diverse and multi-generational audiences, the ensemble is defined by an original aesthetic concept that unites the traditional with the vanguard in a contemporary stage proposal.
Since its formation in 2007, the group has carried the seal of feminine strength and beauty within the traditionally masculine world of Mexican son.
The sounds of the strings interweave with the poetic messages written from a woman’s perspective, creating a facet not before seen within this musical genre.
The zapateado (percussive dance) on the tarima (wooden platform) accentuates the beat, while the band’s colorful wardrobe embellishes their musicality. Appealing instrumental landscapes include the captivating vibrations of the horse jaw, the profound and mystical harmonies of the harp, the percussive atmosphere created by the jarana, the robust rhythm of the guitarra grande, and the renaissance-sounding bowed instruments created ex profeso for the group, resurrecting extinct baroque instrumentation.
The Golden Girls Musical Drag Troupe is at it again, this time musicalizing one of the most famous and dastardly episodes - The Case of the Libertine Belle.
A weekend of murder and mystery turns fatal in this musical romp. Your favorite pals and confidants Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose must try to solve a murder and find Sophia. Is Blanche the suspect of a *real* murder?! Featuring parodies from Footloose the Musical, Elvis, Doris Day and even a Disco finale, this murder musical will make you clutch your pearls and your purse (which may or may not have an entire place setting in it) - "Not now Ma!"
General Admission $10 • Free Admission for WP Students, Employees and Alumni
#1 New York Times Best-Selling Author of The Da Vinci Code
Dan Brown’s Wild SymphonyFeaturing the WP Chamber Winds
Sensory Friendly Schooltime Performance
Students, teachers and chaperones are invited to join us for a musical adventure into the animal kingdom, complete with visits from Maestro Mouse and all his friends! People of all ages will be delighted by the joyous rhythms of “Bouncing Kangaroo” to the mysterious melodies of “Wondrous Whale” to the hair-raising harmonies of “Brilliant Bat.” The concert is a visual and musical experience with projected images from the latest book by best-selling author Dan Brown. Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony is a new illustrated children’s book with accompanying orchestral score composed by Dan Brown himself. Your students can experience it live with the WP Chamber Winds on the beautiful campus of William Paterson University.
This sensory friendly school-day performance is designed to be a welcoming, inclusive and comfortable musical experience for those on the autism spectrum or with other sensory or cognitive needs.
Accommodations include low to medium volume and lighting ranges, space for students to move or walk around with a chaperone's supervision, provision of ear plugs, and an adjoining sensory-friendly space for those who need a break from the concert environment (outfitted with sensory manipulatives and carpeting).
Free admission to schools. Registration is required by October 2, 2023.
For more information and to register, please click here.
Sensory Friendly Performance
Join us for a musical adventure into the animal kingdom, complete with visits from Maestro Mouse and all his friends! People of all ages will be delighted by the joyous rhythms of “Bouncing Kangaroo” to the mysterious melodies of “Wondrous Whale” to the hair-raising harmonies of “Brilliant Bat.” The concert is a visual and musical experience with projected images from the latest book by best-selling author Dan Brown. Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony is a new illustrated children’s book with accompanying orchestral score composed by Dan Brown himself. Your students can experience it live with the WP Chamber Winds on the beautiful campus of William Paterson University.
This sensory friendly performance is designed to be a welcoming, inclusive and comfortable musical experience for those on the autism spectrum or with other sensory or cognitive needs. Accommodations include low to medium volume and lighting ranges, space for students to move or walk around with a chaperone's supervision, provision of ear plugs, and an adjoining sensory-friendly space for those who need a break from the concert environment (outfitted with sensory manipulatives and carpeting).
Tickets: Adults $15, Children $10
Baritone saxophone virtuoso Gary Smulyan is the winner of 21 polls and awards over the last decade, including the 2022Down Beat Critics Poll for Baritone Saxophonist of the Year. One of the main solo voices of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and the Joe Lovano Sextet, he is considered one of the great improviserson any instrument. This concert matches Smulyan’s powerful voice with the exciting students of the William Paterson Jazz Orchestra, in a program featuring music arranged by Bob Brookmeyer, Pete McGuinness, Rich DeRosa, and Thad Jones, as well as the premieres of two WP graduate student arrangements of works by Smulyan’s baritone mentor, Pepper Adams.
The Redhawk Native American Arts Council is a not-for-profit organization founded and maintained by Indigenous American artists, performers, and educators residing in New York and New Jersey. Since 1994, Redhawk has been dedicated to supporting the urban Indigenous community and educating the general public about Indigenous American heritage through song, dance, theater, and other works of art and cultural forms of expression with a diverse group of Indigenous artists from the Americas to around the globe.
Redhawk offers programs with an Indigenous lens on issues such as climate change, water rights, Indigenous stereotypes, land preservation and programs for our local Indigenous communities with a special focus on our youth. In addition to the programs Redhawk offers, we also produce four of the largest Indigenous and Indigenous heritage celebrations in the Northeast. Redhawk’s educational programs serve to help students and educators gain a better understanding of Indigenous American history and of the diverse cultures represented within Indigenous America. We also encourage educators to re-think the current and outdated curriculum and integrate the knowledge we share and teach them.
Free admission
Following the enthusiastic response to last season’s hit Broadway review Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway, Berg now brings his all-new production, 101 Years of Broadway, a musical revue with more of the greatest songs from hit Broadway musicals of the century. This highly anticipated engagement features a dazzling cast of five Broadway stars accompanied by an all-star New York band.
101 Years of Broadway recreates the biggest moments from the finest shows of the century featuring the actual stars of shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables,, Evita, CATS, Wonderful Town, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Fiddler on the Roof. These amazing performers light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred. Neil Berg presents brilliantly revived arrangements of Broadway classics as well as thrilling songs from Broadway’s newest hit shows.
Past productions of this popular show have featured Betty Buckley, Liz Callaway, Ben Vereen, and Alex Santoriello among others. Scheduled performers will be announced soon.
*Cast is subject to change based upon possible Broadway and touring developments.
NEIL BERG is the composer/lyricist of the hit off-Broadway musical The Prince and the Pauper, which ran for two years at the Lamb’s Theater in New York City. The New York Timesdescribed it as “...soaring on the wings of theatrical fun.” Berg is currently writing the music for the Broadway bound musical Grumpy Old Men, based on the hit film. Two of Berg’s new musicals have been selected for the prestigious New York Musical Theater Festival: The Man Who Would Be King, a musical realization of Rudyard Kipling’s novella, and Tim and Scrooge, the sequel to A Christmas Carol.
Tickets: Gold Circle $50, Orchestra $45, Loge $40
Back by Popular Demand for the Fourth Consecutive Year!
American Idol star Tristan McIntosh creates a stunning portrayal of Linda Ronstadtin the prime of her career. Supported by a superb backing band, Tristan’s formidable vocal talent and stage presence will transport you to a time when Linda Ronstadt ruled the airwaves as one of the most popular female vocalists in music history. The Linda Ronstadt Experience takes you on a Musical Journey of Chart Topping Smash Hits, "You're No Good", "When Will I Be Loved", "That'll Be The Day", "Blue Bayou" and many more classic hits by Jackson Brown, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Warren Zevon, The Rolling Stones, and Little Feat to name a few !
“Congratulations to Tristan and the band for doing such an excellent job." – Pete Asher, Linda Ronstadt’s Producer
Admission: Orchestra $35, Rear Orchestra/Front Loge $30, Rear Loge $25
This multi-horn Jersey City-based ensemble, founded by percussionist David Daoud Williams, is heavily grounded in the loft scene of the 1970s. This is jazz with a world beat, paying homage to the all-important African roots of jazz. The band has had numerous jazz legends as its members, including Archie Shepp, RandyWeston, Pharoah Sanders, Eddie Henderson, Kenny Barron, and Joe Ford. The ensemble has deep Paris roots; it is regularly heard in the city’s jazz clubs and has collaborated with many great French jazz musicians. This performance is part of a yearlong celebration of the American artist, activist, Paterson native and WP alumnus Ben Jones, in collaboration with New Jersey City University and funded in part by a Mellon Foundation grant.
Music from Africa, Peru, and India
WP Music students perform numbers from contemporary musical theatre.
Hannah Comia, music director
Viviana Kaszubski and Christopher Leiva, student directors
FREE
Additional Performances
Saturday, November 11 at 7:30pm
The Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Band share a great love and appreciation for the style and musicianship of the premier band of the 70's, 80's and 90's, Earth, Wind and Fire. The Earth Wind and Fire Tribute Band is based in Maryland and tours up and down the East Coast. The band pays homage to one of the greatest bands of its era, bringing to life the magical R&B, funk and Jazz sounds that continues to inspire and influence even the contemporary entertainers of today. From the funky and "earthy" grooves, to the sophisticated and complex lyrics and orchestrations, the Earth Wind and Fire Tribute Band will continue to keep the music alive so that everyone will know that the elements...Earth, Wind and Fire, will live on forever! They perform all of the hits, including: Got To Get You Into My Live, Sing a Song, Shining Star, Boogie Wonderland, Let’s Groove, That’s The Way of the World, September, and many others. They will have the audience on their feet, clapping and singing along to all the iconic hits.
Admission: Gold Circle $50, Orchestra and Front Loge $42, Rear Loge $35
WORKING - A Musical from the book by Studs Terkel
Adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso
Localized format conceived by Daniel C. Levin for ACT of CT
Orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire
A co-production with New Jersey City University, WP and NJCU students perform this musical in honor of artist Ben Jones, supported by a grant from the Mellon Foundation.
Marc Dalio, stage director
Based on Studs Terkel's best-selling book of interviews, Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day, the Musical Working paints a vivid portrait of the workers that the world so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the delivery man, the waitress, the mason, and the stay-at-home parent, just to name a few. This unique localized production of Working will also venture into our own communities, sharing the stories of those passionate individuals with whom we share a neighborhood. Real life interviews supply a lyrical narrative through song and dialogue, shining light on the lives of those who create community.
Nominated for six Tony Awards, this modern revision features songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, James Taylor, Micki Grant, and more.
WORKING is presented through a special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIshows.com.
This event is supported by the Mellon Foundation
Saturday, November 18 at 7:30pmSunday, November 19 at 3:00pm
Tickets: $25 general admission, $10 students and senior citizens
Additional Performance
Sunday, November 19 at 3:00pm
The WP New Music Ensemble performs original compositions by WP Student, Faculty and Alumni composers! Additional repertoire from the 20th and 21st Century compliment the WP compositions, including music of Kaija Saariaho, to whom the concert is dedicated, in commemoration of her passing in June 2023.
Free admission and open to the public.
WP Voice students and pianists perform songs from Golden-Age American Musical Theatre
With pianists Matthieu Cognet, Hannah Comia, and June Marano-Murray
New and traditional percussion music
The original pitch perfect acappella superstars! Rock – like you’ve never heard it before. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more influential group out there in this Era of A Cappella, with movies and network television a cappella exposure, a cappella Grammy awards, and innumerable college groups on campuses everywhere. As one of the progenitors of the astonishing full-band sound of “contemporary” a cappella, Rockapella has shown every audience the raw power of pure vocal talent and originality. “There’s nothing in the way between the audience and the us; it’s very human music,” says Rockapella’s human beatbox, Jeff Thacher. No instruments, no hidden tracks, no mirrors…and never lame.
Since the early ’90’s when they first achieved national television fame on PBS’s Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?, they’ve toured the globe and provided a funky powerful soundtrack to several generations of vocal music fans, while keeping it fresh along the way. With buckets of catchy original pop songs, and complete contemporary revisions of sparkling pop and soul classics, plus an unbeatable Christmas tour and catalog, this group has always been the one to watch. ”Often imitated – never duplicated” applies here.
Now they’re better than ever! “We make it rock and make it interesting,” explains Scott Leonard, the group’s chief songwriter, arranger, and an architect of their ever-evolving and imitated dynamic sound. USA Today summed up their lasting appeal: “The best musical instrument of all is the human voice – if you’ve seen Rockapella, you know that’s the truth.” The New York Times agrees: they’re “Pure entertainment”!
The current Rockapella lineup features Scott Leonard (high tenor & arranger), Jeff Thacher(vocal percussionist), Calvin Jones (tenor), Manny Houston (tenor), and George Baldi (bass). “People have a hard time believing it’s just us making all of that music. It’s still those same familiar elements that make modern band music: percussion, bass, melody and harmonies,” says Scott. With a cappella groups multiplying across the world, Jeff adds “we know our longtime success is in the art of it – it’s not what you do, but how you do it!” Rockapella has indeed proven that original pop & soul magic onstage is what sets them apart.
Tickets: Orchestra $45, Loge $35
Steve Wilson is one of the great alto saxophonists on the scene today—and truly one of the premiere soprano saxophone performers as well. He is the lead alto saxist in the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra and toured internationally for years with the great Chick Corea Origins group. He has collaborated with such celebrated musicians as Dave Holland, Cyrus Chestnut, Nicholas Payton, Orrin Evans, and Lewis Nash, and has long been involved at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC through Dr. Billy Taylor. Wilson’s career was closely intertwined with former WP jazz directors Mulgrew Miller and James Williams, and we are proud that he was a member of our adjunct faculty for a number of years. He is on the faculty at City College, CUNY and at the prestigious Ravinia Festival.
WP New Music Series presents Mantra Percussion in performance, featuring a preview of Matt Mcbane’s Terrain. Mantra Percussion, Inc. is a future-focused organization committed to a lasting influence on percussion music through the creation of new works by living composers and creators from across the social spectrum — establishing lasting relationships with our collaborators; by developing equitable music communities through collaboration, support, and concert presenting; by mentoring new generations of diverse artists to significantly reshape the classical music landscape; and by engaging audiences through immersive, evening-length events that convey a grander artistic vision.
Acclaimed percussion ensemble Mantra Percussion will be in residence at WP for the 2023-2024 academic year. Their residency includes performances, masterclasses, and ensemble coaching.
WP students and faculty collaborate with artificial intelligence to write an opera.
Christopher Herbert and Payton MacDonald, producers
WP Pianists present an evening of keyboard music commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the passing of William Byrd. Additional selections of the baroque and galant styles, including rarely heard compositions from the Chiquitos and Moxos Missions, round out this program of some of the earliest pieces written for keyboards.
Creative new music for mixed ensembles, based on musical scores that use pictures, text, pictograms, music notation, text, and more
The WP Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds, present a Side-by-Side concert with the Wayne Valley High School Wind Symphony. Featuring standard wind band repertoire, along with music by new and emerging composers, this will be an exciting culminating performance you won’t want to miss!
The incomparable Carpenters gave us some of the most unforgettable ballads and melodic pop songs of all time, including “Close To You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “Yesterday Once More.” Enjoy a nostalgic journey through the Carpenters greatest hits as well as holiday favorites like “Merry Christmas Darling” while sharing the backstories behind the music.
Top Of The World is The World’s Premiere Tribute to The Carpenters! Fronted by singer Debbie Taylor, her Karen Carpenter vocal resemblance is absolutely astonishing. She is backed by a seven-piece band consisting of top-notch, professional industry musicians who have had amazing careers in their own right. The band members are all multi-instrumentalists and at times use 3 keyboards to recreate the incredibly complex arrangements created by Richard Carpenter. The attention to detail paired with saxophone, trumpet, flute and many more instruments complete every song to perfection!
This show does not use tracks or pick up musicians like other shows. Top of the World brings the most authentic versions of the Carpenters music to the stage. No doubt, you will be singing along. Debbie captures the warm tones and contralto range that made Karen’s voice so unique. Sit back and sing along to your favorite Carpenters hits.
Prices: Gold Circle $55.00, Orchestra/Front Loge $50.00, Rear Loge $40.00
William Paterson University
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
973-720-2000
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