John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University

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John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University A music education that elevates your future.

The Cali School nurtures creative exploration and the development of nearly 450 students. It presents over 250 performances and masterclasses each year by students, faculty, guest artists, and the eminent Shanghai Quartet, whose members have been artists-in-residence since 2002. The Cali School makes its home in a 1928 building near the entrance of campus that was renovated and expanded in 2009. It provides Steinway pianos throughout its classroom and rehearsal spaces and in the 235-seat Jed Leshowitz Recital Hall, where solo and small ensembles perform. Large ensembles and opera productions take place in the Alexander Kasser Theater nearby. Please explore the website, montclair.edu/music, for details about our programs and the admissions process.

🎶 Four concerts. Three days. One incredible weekend of music at Cali!Join us October 30–November 1 at Montclair State Un...
10/23/2026

🎶 Four concerts. Three days. One incredible weekend of music at Cali!

Join us October 30–November 1 at Montclair State University’s Alexander Kasser Theater for a weekend of outstanding performances spanning wind ensemble, orchestral, jazz, and choral music.

🎺 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 | 7:30 PM
University Wind Symphony with University Singers
Montclair Bands
An evening of musical colors, textures, and imagination featuring works by Bernstein, Lauridsen, Turrin, Piunno, and Runestad. With soloists JoAnn Lamolino, trumpet, and Julie Dombroski-Jones, trombone.

🎟️ https://inside.montclair.edu/events/university-wind-symphony-university-singers

🎻 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31 | 3 PM
University Symphony Orchestra
Montclair State Symphony Orchestra

Kyle Ritenauer conducts Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, and Dvořák’s Cello Concerto featuring competition winner John Sample. Plus, tenor SeongBeom Choi performs Donizetti’s “Ah! mes amis.”

🎟️ https://inside.montclair.edu/events/university-symphony-orchestra

🎷 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31 | 8 PM
University Jazz Ensemble
Montclair State Jazz Studies

Under the direction of Dr. Oscar Pérez, the ensemble brings jazz classics, modern arrangements, and contemporary sounds to the stage.

🎟️ https://inside.montclair.edu/events/university-jazz-ensemble

🎤 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 | 3 PM
Resonance: The Music Within
Montclair State University Choral Activities

Vocal Accord and University Singers, under the direction of Dr. Heather J. Buchanan, present a powerful afternoon of choral music, featuring guest soprano Maegan Hoogerhyde ’20 and the University Wind Symphony. The program includes the New Jersey premiere of Jake Runestad’s Vincent’s Sky, inspired by the art of Vincent van Gogh and poetry of Walt Whitman, with stunning visuals and supertitles.

🎟️ https://inside.montclair.edu/events/vocal-accord-university-singers-university-wind-symphony

📍 Alexander Kasser Theater | Montclair State University

🎟️ Tickets and concert details at the links above or through the link in our bio!

College of the Arts at Montclair State University Montclair State University Music Therapy

10/16/2026

This week, we asked some of our Cali students to test their music knowledge across a variety of pieces that were played for them! 🎶🎧
We also have TWO special performances coming up, including the New Jersey premiere of Jake Runestad’s “Vincent’s Sky”! ✨🌌

🎼 University Wind Symphony with University Singers: October 30th at 7:30 PM- https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/CALI/1631/event/1477929

🎤Vocal Accord & University Singers with Wind Symphony: November 1st at 3:00 PM-https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/CALI/1631/event/1477940

Have a wonderful fall break!!!🍂

It’s time for another Faculty Spotlight Post! This week, we will be covering one of our adjunct jazz piano professors, R...
10/15/2026

It’s time for another Faculty Spotlight Post! This week, we will be covering one of our adjunct jazz piano professors, Rick Germanson!

Professor Rick Germanson is an acclaimed jazz pianist who has been very active in the jazz scene of New York City throughout the past decade and a half! Germanson, originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, moved to New York in 1998, after winning the “American Pianists’ Association Jazz Piano Competition” in 1996. He is a professional pianist and bandleader, releasing several recordings and earning positive reviews from JazzTimes and DownBeat Magazine! He has appeared in a wide variety of recordings, collaborating with musicians such as Russell Malone, Steve Nelson, Louis Hayes, Papa Vazquez and Pat Martino. In addition to his performance credits, he is an esteemed educator, who has presented masterclasses at Juilliard and NYU! In addition to Montclair State, Germanson teaches at the Hartt School of Music!

We will be covering a new faculty member every week! Stay tuned!

It’s time for another Faculty Spotlight post! This week, we will be covering one of our Adjunct Music History Professors...
10/06/2026

It’s time for another Faculty Spotlight post! This week, we will be covering one of our Adjunct Music History Professors, Elizabeth Frickey!

Elizabeth Frickey is a Ph.D. candidate and MacCracken Fellow studying musicology at New York University. Prior to her studies, she earned her master’s degree in musicology from Indiana University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in music education from Florida State University. Her detailed dissertation dives deep into the ecological, political, and cultural impact of NYC’s public greenspaces through the lens of sound and music. This research has been presented in several settings across the United States and throughout the world, including meetings of the Society for American Music, the Society of Ethnomusicology, the American Musicological Society, and many others! Her writing has been published as well in several different places, including “The Journal of Jazz Studies”, “Women & Music: A Journal of Gender and Culture”, “Jazz and Culture” and “Journal SEAMUS.”

We will be covering a new faculty member every Tuesday! Stay tuned!

Next up in our Cali Immersive Residency Program: PUBLIQuartet PUBLQuartet! 🎻✨From October 13–17, the multi-GRAMMY®-nomin...
10/05/2026

Next up in our Cali Immersive Residency Program: PUBLIQuartet PUBLQuartet! 🎻✨

From October 13–17, the multi-GRAMMY®-nominated quartet will be at Montclair for a week of music-making, improvisation, workshops, conversations and more. Known for mixing contemporary classical music with jazz, world music and improvisation, PUBLIQuartet is all about pushing the boundaries of what a string quartet can be.

There are lots of chances to catch them throughout the week, including our Cali Midweek Series on Wednesday, October 14, featuring a sneak preview of their new improvisations on Schubert’s Death and the Maiden.

Most events are FREE and open to the public!

🎟️ See the full schedule + reserve your spot at montclair.edu/cali-residency or visit the link in bio.

PUBLIQuartet Montclair State University Opera The brass studio at the Cali School of Music calipathwaysproject Music Education Department MSU MTSO Montclair State Jazz Studies Cali Flutes Montclair State Symphony Orchestra Montclair Bands Montclair State University Choral Activities Montclair State University Strings Montclair State University Woodwind Department Montclair State University Woodwind Doubling Studio Montclair State University Composition Department Montclair State University ACDA Recording Arts & Production David Ott Lab at MSU Montclair State University Music Therapy College of the Arts at Montclair State University

Good morning & Happy Monday Cali School Of Music! 🎵 ☀️We hope everyone had a great kaleidoscope weekend! Filled with mus...
10/05/2026

Good morning & Happy Monday Cali School Of Music! 🎵 ☀️

We hope everyone had a great kaleidoscope weekend! Filled with music making and community ❤️ congratulations to everyone who performed and a huge thank you to all who were involved to make this special night happen!

We have a lot of events this week! Please read below

Resources

MONDAY
10/05/2026 at 2:00 PM
FACULTY MASTERCLASS
Billy Hart Jazz Drum Set and History
Part 1
Leshowitz Recital Hall, Chapin Hall
Legendary jazz drummer Billy Hart, and Cali School of Music faculty member, known for his work with Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, and countless others, leads a dynamic masterclass at the Cali School of Music. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn from one of the most influential voices in modern jazz drumming.

TUESDAY
10/06/2026 at 8:00 PM
OPEN STUDIO
Graduate Voice Night
Leshowitz Recital Hall, Chapin Hall
Graduate Voice Night showcases graduate voice students from the Cali School of Music performing works from the classical and contemporary vocal repertoire. Join us for an evening highlighting the artistry, musicianship and distinctive voices of our graduate performers.

WEDNESDAY
10/07/2026 at 2:00 PM
CALI MIDWEEK SERIES
Strings Recital
Leshowitz Recital Hall, Chapin Hall
Enjoy a lunchtime recital featuring talented Cali School string students performing a varied program of classical and contemporary works.

THURSDAY
10/08/2026 at 8:00 PM
FACULTY RECITAL
Chris Opperman
Composition Recital
Leshowitz Recital Hall, Chapin Hall
Dr. Chris Opperman is a composer, orchestrator, arranger, educator and music industry advisor whose work spans solo piano, orchestral rock, experimental music and major concert tours, including Distant Worlds: Music from FINAL FANTASY. His arrangements have been performed at venues including Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall, and he has collaborated with artists including Steve Vai, Mike Keneally, L. Shankar and Zakir Hussain.

Check your email for more events and dates! Have a great week everyone

10/03/2026

What an AMAZING first night! ✨🎶

After an incredible Friday performance, Kaleidoscope returns for one final night TONIGHT, Saturday, October 3 at 7:30 PM!

And for our final student spotlight, meet Cassandra Gonzalez and hear about the music she’s performing and what makes the Cali community so special. ❤️

If you missed us last night, this is your last chance to experience one of the Cali School’s biggest performances of the year. Don’t miss it!

Big thank you to 🎥 Rob Davidson

🎟️ Get your tickets at montclair.edu/events/kaleidoscope or visit the link in bio.

Montclair State University students attend FREE, subject to availability!

Montclair State University Opera The brass studio at the Cali School of Music calipathwaysproject Music Education Department MSU MTSO Montclair State Jazz Studies Cali Flutes Montclair State Symphony Orchestra Montclair Bands Montclair State University Choral Activities Montclair State University Strings Montclair State University Woodwind Department Montclair State University Woodwind Doubling Studio Montclair State University Composition Department Montclair State University ACDA Recording Arts & Production David Ott Lab at MSU Montclair State University Music Therapy College of the Arts at Montclair State University

10/02/2026

Kaleidoscope starts TONIGHT! ✨🎶

Another student spotlight before we take the stage!

Meet Emily O’Brien and hear about the music they’re performing and what makes the Cali community so special.

Join us TONIGHT, Friday, October 2 at 7:30 PM or Saturday, October 3 at 7:30 PM for one of the Cali School’s biggest performances of the year!

Big thank you to 🎥 Rob Davidson

🎟️ Get your tickets at montclair.edu/events/kaleidoscope or visit the link in bio.

Montclair State University students attend FREE, subject to availability!



Montclair State University Opera The brass studio at the Cali School of Music calipathwaysproject Music Education Department MSU MTSO Montclair State Jazz Studies Cali Flutes Montclair State Symphony Orchestra Montclair Bands Montclair State University Choral Activities Montclair State University Strings Montclair State University Woodwind Department Montclair State University Woodwind Doubling Studio Montclair State University Composition Department Montclair State University ACDA Recording Arts & Production David Ott Lab at MSU Montclair State University Music Therapy College of the Arts at Montclair State University

10/02/2026

We are SO EXCITED to begin Kaleidoscope weekend TONIGHT at 7:30 PM!! Here’s some behind-the-scenes footage from Wednesday’s dress rehearsal, and we are so excited to see the incredible work the work of every large and chamber ensemble and soloist pay off!! See you tonight for night 1!!!✨🎶

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1 Normal Avenue
Montclair, NJ
07043

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