Our partners in New York, International Vocal Arts Institute founders Joan Dornemann, assistant conductor of the Metropolitan Opera, and Paul Nadler, conductor of the Metropolitan Opera, audition the opera world's young professionals to select the best for one of three international festivals. One is in Tel Aviv, Israel; one in Montreal, Canada; and one is in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The young professionals selected for the Vocal Arts and Music Festival come to Virginia Tech for three weeks of unparalleled access to top opera teachers, many of whom would normally only be available to them once a week if they were fortunate enough to study under them in major metropolitan centers across the globe.

The singers work hard from morning to afternoon on vocalization, language, staging, and more. Every evening, festivalgoers are treated to insightful master classes by the top voice teachers and world-class performances featuring the professional singers and internationally renowned musicians.

Get to know tomorrow's opera legends this summer in the intimate settings of Virginia Tech's Squires Recital Salon and Haymarket Theatre. The next time you see these singers perform, you'll be sharing the experience with hundreds or thousands more in the major opera houses of the world.

Vocal Arts and Music Festival Package Order Form

All shows at 7:30 p.m. in Burruss Auditorium. Doors open 30 minutes prior to performance.

Bill Cosby
Thursday, October 20, 2011
"One of America’s most prolific comedians of all time, Bill Cosby has dazzled generations of fans with his comedy routines, also captured on his iconic albums and best-selling books such as Fatherhood and groundbreaking The Cosby Show. His comedy transcends age, gender and cultural barriers." The Virginia Tech Union proudly presents this show as part of the Lively Arts Series and Laughriot, the University’s annual Homecoming Comedy Show.

The Avett Brothers
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Over the years, the Avett Brothers built up a sizable following based on their rowdy, infectious stage shows. In concert, the high-flying ensemble tears through tunes with unbridled energy, popping banjo and guitar strings right and left while inciting stomping sing-a-longs among the audiences that appear to know every word. At times they would seemingly create their own subgenre onstage- "punkgrass," for lack of a better word. This much is for certain: the Avett Brothers are a grassroots phenomenon, built from the ground up. The event is part of the lively Arts Series and the Virginia Tech Union regular concert series.

Mentalist Craig Karges
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Craig Karges is truly extraordinary! The "extraordinist" is an award winning entertainer, a nationally recognized speaker and an author. Craig Karges combines the art of magic with the science of psychology and the power of intuition to create the impression that nothing is impossible. Tables float, minds are read, metal bends and your imagination is challenged because you won’t believe your eyes! Dennis Miller, comedian and media personality, put it this way after seeing Karges perform, "This weids me out!". Karges has made over four thousand appearances in seventeen countries on four continents and in all fifty states including "The Tonight Show" and "Larry King Live". Audiences may be mystified when it comes to understanding how Craig Karges accomplishes what he does on stage but his popularity is no mystery at all.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
"Preservation Hall. Now that’s where you’ll find all the greats."-Louis Armstrong What an amazing quote to welcome one of the great music acts to Blacksburg. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. The band has traveled worldwide spreading their mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, this music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit. "...proof that the music pioneered in New Orleans a century ago was the clear progenitor of today’s jam-band phenomenon."-USA Today. Info from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band website.

Ticket Sales Schedule:

• Package renewals available August 8th.
• New Season package sales August 22nd.
• Single ticket sales for all Lively Arts performances will begin September 16th.
• Package Prices:
  • General $90
  • Faculty/Staff $75
  • Children (12 and under) $35
  • Virginia Tech Students $40

University Chamber Music 2011-2012

Evening concerts begin at 8:00 p.m. Sunday concerts begin at 3:00 p.m. Performances are held in the Squires RECITAL SALON unless there is an asterisk. * indicates performance held at The Lyric Theatre, 135 College Av, Blacksburg as well as prices for Lyric concerts. Tickets for Lyric concerts sold at The Lyric unless part of a season package.

New River Valley Symphony 2011-2012

All shows at 8 p.m. All performances held in BURRUSS AUDITORIUM.

Theatre Arts - Main Stage 2011-2012

Evening performances at 7:30 p.m., matinees at 2:00 p.m. RESERVED SEATING.

SoPac Full Season Package

Includes all 15 concerts and plays at a savings over the price of the individual packages. Sopac package prices are General $190, Senior $150 Please call the Ticket Office for information or to purchase any of the packages.