Eastern Mennonite University Department of Music

10/14/2026

We hope you'll join us on Friday, November 13th at 7:00 PM for EMU/Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival's annual Gala Concert! 🎻

Our theme for this year's concert is ‘Dream,’ and it will focus on the power that each of us has to achieve great things and to make a difference in our world, when we dream.

Featuring:
- Award-winning classical/jazz/pop fusion trio The String Queens
- Gjello's masterwork “Sunrise Mass”
- Maslanka's “Give Us This Day”
- The EMU Jam Collective, EMU Chamber Singers, Wind Ensemble, and University Choir and Orchestra
- And more!!!

The concert will be held at EMU's Lehman Auditorium, and will also be livestreamed on the EMU Dept of Music's YouTube page. Suggested donation is $10-$20, with all proceeds helping to fund the amazing programming in the EMU Music Department.

We hope to see you there! 😊

10/08/2026

Even though we’re well into the Fall semester, we are still basking in the glow of the inaugural Summer Music & Peacebuilding camp, where advisor Ben Bergey and EMU Music & Peacebuilding major Miriam Rhodes helped 15 amazing campers explore how music can help build peace: starting with peace within ourselves, then expanding to our families, neighborhoods, country, and the world.

Campers spent the week singing, participating in drum circles, creating art and crafts, learning about inspiring peacebuilders, practicing real-world peacebuilding skills, and even writing an original song together. They wrapped up the week by sharing everything they learned in a joyful final performance for family and friends.

Watching these young musicians grow in creativity, confidence, empathy, and teamwork reminded us why music is such a powerful tool for building stronger communities.

We hope you enjoy this glimpse into an unforgettable week, and we hope to see even more young peacebuilders join us in the future!

09/23/2026

Dr. David Berry, associate professor of music and chair of Eastern Mennonite University Department of Music, has released his debut album, "Spirit, Body and Soul: Concert Spirituals for Solo Piano."

The nine-track album brings beloved African American spirituals into the classical piano tradition, blending influences of classical music, blues, gospel and jazz.

In this video, David shares more about the album, the spirituals that inspired it and the deeply personal journey behind the music.

David will celebrate the album’s release with a concert on Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium, featuring his piano compositions alongside local singers.

Listen to "Spirit, Body and Soul" on your favorite streaming platform now!

09/03/2026

Sign up for African Drumming with the extraordinary ! Course code MUPS 201 C

09/02/2026

Sign up for classical or musical theater with Shannon Kiser! Shannon is a seasoned performer and educator with a passion for helping students develop their singing abilities!

09/01/2026

Register for Contemporary Voice Lessons (MUPS 221 C - Voice) with before Sept. 11! She is passionate about developing leaders, walking with students to maximize their potential, and helping singers discover confidence and embrace the unique voice they’ve been given.

08/28/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome back as our Guitar Adjunct Faculty! 🎸Jonah is a guitarist/multi-instrumentalist, award-winning composer, and educator who currently works in a multitude of genres and styles in both the DC and NYC music scenes. ✨Register for lessons with Jonah before Sept 11!✨

08/26/2026

Mark your calendar! Please join us for David Berry's Album Release Concert on Friday, October 2 at 7pm in Lehman Auditorium. With special guest vocalists Tabatha Parrott, Cynthia James, Gabriel Driver, and Devonte Garcia.

06/04/2026

Just a couple of spots left if your child would like to be a last-minute addition to the Summer Music & Peacebuilding Camp with Miriam Rhodes and Benjamin Bergey!

7 spots left! Sign your child up for this wonderful music and peacebuilding summer camp!

Eastern Mennonite University

05/20/2026

7 spots left! Sign your child up for this wonderful music and peacebuilding summer camp!

Eastern Mennonite University