Special Events and Student Competitions
Quick Links
Parsons and Poole Concert and Masterclass Series
Faculty and Guest Artists Concerts
Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competition
Fred Pattison Piano Award Competition
Winds, Brass & Percussion Concerto Competition
2024-25
Saturday, September 21 | 9:30am–2pm
Doors Open London
As a primary educational hub for music in Canada's first and only UNESCO-designated City of Music, Western University's Don Wright Faculty of Music typically welcomes more than 20,000 members of the community each year for concerts, outreach programming and special events. With more than 600 undergraduate and graduate Music students, our two buildings - Talbot College and Music Building, which include three performance venues - provide world-class infrastructure that is integral to music-making, composition, teaching and research. Guest artists enrich our students' education and the London community benefits from special programming - from attending concerts to participating in music-making programs.
Join us on Saturday as we open our doors to the public to watch as musicians work, live and play! Internationally acclaimed Vietnamese-Canadian pianist Dang Thai Son will give a public masterclass with current Western piano students (10am–1pm, drop in); join a student-led tour to learn more about Western Music's uniquely designed facilities, including a Music Education devoted space with classroom instruments and specialized music educator technology, and watch Western's adult community concert band—New Horizons Band—rehearse.
Sunday, September 29 | 1pm | von Kuster Hall (approx. 45 mins with reception to follow)
Don Wright Faculty of Music Homecoming Concert
Details are available at the Music Homecoming page.
Friday, November 1 | 2pm | von Kuster Hall
Western University High School Vocal Competition
We are proud to welcome high school singers for the annual High School Voice Competition. Current students are encouraged to attend. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Are you a high school singer? We hope to see you on our stage! Visit the competition webpage to learn more.
Friday, November 22 | 1:30pm | von Kuster Hall (approx. 1 hour)
Songs of Many Lands
Celebrate Western’s International Week with the annual Songs of Many Lands concert. Singers and pianists from the Don Wright Faculty of Music will perform songs in many languages and styles from countries across the world.
Saturday, January 11 | 12pm | von Kuster Hall (approx. 3 hours)
Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competition – Final Round
Join us for the final round of the Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competition at the Don Wright Faculty of Music. Awarded to any undergraduate or graduate student in the Don Wright Faculty of Music on the basis of performance excellence demonstrated in solo concerto competition, this annual competition has been a highlight for many students over the years.
Thursday, January 16 | 8pm | von Kuster Hall
Fred Pattison Piano Award Winner’s Recital featuring 2024 winner Kai Melconian
Friday, January 17 | 8pm | von Kuster Hall
Fred Pattison Piano Award 2025 Competition – Final Round
Saturday, January 18 | 10am von Kuster Hall
Fred Pattison Piano Masterclass with 2025 competition adjudicator Michael Esch
For full details on all three of the above events, visit the Fred Pattison Piano Competition web page.
Saturday, March 29
Jazz Girls Day®
Hosted by Colleen Clark, Founder and Artistic Director of the University of South Carolina’s Jazz Girls Day®, and faculty member Kevin Watson. Dr. Colleen Clark is an Assistant Professor of Jazz at the University of South Carolina where she coordinates the small ensembles, conducts a big band, and teaches drumset studio and jazz history courses. More details to follow.
