Bringing world-class performers to our Searcy audience
Individual event tickets may be purchased at www.hardingtickets.com for less than the price at the door. Except for the April 9 concert with the ASO, children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. No ticket is required for Arts and Life events with a valid Harding I.D., excluding the April 9 concert with the ASO. Valentine's Dinner tickets are sold separately and include free admission to the concert.
Harding Music is most grateful for Centennial Bank's generous sponsorship of the Arts & Life Performance Series.
Bluegrass, BBQ & Baristas: a collaboration with Beats and Eats Sept. 15, 7:00 p.m. with pre-show entertainment and food vendors starting at 6:00 p.m. Heritage Park (across Grand St. from Midnight Oil) Free admission to all THE GRAVEL YARD BLUEGRASS BAND Pre-show entertainment with JOE OLIVER of Rivers West. If you liked "Java and Jazz" and "Kilts and Coffee," you're going to love this year's collaboration with Searcy's Beats and Eats as we feature THE GRAVEL YARD BLUEGRASS BAND. To complete the scene, local vendors will be selling barbecue, baked goods, coffee, tea and other specialties in Heritage Park. Come at 6:00 p.m. to enjoy the food and pre-show entertainment with Harding alumnus Joe Oliver. Since this event is outdoors, we recommend bringing lawn chairs or blankets to sit on! |
Dec. 2, 7:00 p.m., Administration Auditorium
EMMET CAHILL, An Irish Christmas
Lead singer of the PBS phenomenon "Celtic Thunder," Emmet Cahill, who hails from Mullingar, Ireland, will share an evening of Irish Christmas favorites with the Arts and Life audience. He recently sold out at his Carnegie Hall debut, and wherever he performs, from Atlanta Symphony Hall to the Today Show, his following grows exponentially.
Jan. 16, 7:00 p.m., Administration Auditorium
POSTPONED - TUBA SKINNY, Music of the 1920s
In collaboration with the Clifton L. Ganus Jr. Distinguished Chair of History and Political Science
For over a decade TUBA SKINNY has grown steadily in popularity, releasing twelve albums and touring the world. Just this year they were selected to receive the coveted Arhoolie Award for the promotion of traditional American music. Specialists in traditional jazz, the band will join us in Searcy to help us celebrate the music of the decade in which Harding was founded a century ago.
JEROME REED, piano
Jerome Reed of Lipscomb University has performed extensively in the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America, giving recitals and masterclasses in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, China, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, England, Hungary and Uruguay. In 2003 he was awarded the Avalon Award for Creative Excellence, in 2006 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Tennessee Music Teachers Association, and in 2010 he was named Teacher of the Year by the same organization. In 2019 he was inducted into the Steinway Teachers Hall of Fame in New York. We are honored that Dr. Reed will share an evening of classic works for the piano in celebration of Harding's 100th Anniversary.
5:30 p.m. - Dinner in Cone Chapel
7:30 p.m. - Concert in the Administration Auditorium
CARLA HELMBRECHT, jazz singer
with BRAD LEALI, saxophone
with STEFAN KARLSSON, jazz piano
JOE VICK, double bass
BRIAN BROWN, drums
Carol Archer of R&R Magazine described Carla Helmbrecht as "...an unusually gifted vocalist, impeccable phrasing…steeped in a swinging jazz sensibility that reminds me of Mel Torme….” Of Brad Leali, returning to Harding for the second time, the Evening Standard of London said that “His solos are sparkling and Cannonball Adderley influenced" The New York Times wrote: “Saxophonist Brad Leali was among the most soulful and exciting I’ve heard recently.” Join us as these two jazz powerhouses join forces with the world-renowned jazz pianist, Stefan Karlson, together with jazz artists, Joe Vick and Brian Brown, jazz bassist and drummer from the Natural State.
Watch Carla Helmbrecht and Brad Leali
Dinner: Held in Cone Chapel, with an inspiring view overlooking Harding's campus and live piano music, the dinner is just $30 per person! Dinner tickets may be purchased at Hardingtickets.com. Each dinner ticket includes complimentary admission to the concert. Come and see why people return for the food and entertainment year after year!
with the HARDING GRAND CHORUS and soloists
At Harding University, you'll have the opportunity to be transformed academically, relationally and spiritually so you're prepared to change the world.