Cultural and Community Programs

Seton Hall University hosts many cultural programs that are open to the general public as well as the University community.

Archbishop Peter L. Gerety Lecture Series

Through a grant received from Archbishop Emeritus Peter L. Gerety, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology sponsors a lecture series in Church history, broadly defined. These lectures are given by prominent figures from the fields of education, Church, public service and journalism. They address issues of contemporary interest, with some attention to the historical roots of these issues.

Information about the Archbishop Peter L. Gerety Lecture Series may be obtained by calling the School of Theology at (973) 761-9575 or by visiting shu.edu/theology/gerety-lectures

Chamber Choir

Jason Tramm, D.M.A., Director

The Seton Hall University Chamber Choir is a select group of Seton Hall’s most advanced vocalists. The group rehearses and performs repertoire for small ensemble and gives concerts twice annually at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. Additionally, the group often participates in concert performances at other venues. A short audition is required.

Classical Concert Series

Dena Levine, D.M.A., Director

For more than 40 years, Seton Hall’s Arts Council has sponsored the Arts Council Classical Concert Series, presenting top-flight artists and ensembles from around the globe in performance on campus and at the South Orange Performing Arts Center, and in workshops and clinics for students and the general public.

Students, faculty and audiences from the local community have enjoyed the opportunity to hear and meet world- renowned soloists such as Jorge Bolet, Leonard Pennario, Rudolph Firkusny, Bella Davidovich, Ilana Vered, John O’Conor, Ruth Laredo and Emanuel Ax, pianists; Ransom Wilson, flutist; Ruggiero Ricci, Jaime Laredo, Robert McDuffie and Elmar Olivera, violinists; Kim Kashkashian, violist; Janos Starker and Nina Kotova, cellists; the Romeros, Sharon Isbin and the Assad Brothers, guitarists; Fusako Yoshido, koto player; and many others.

All events are free to the public. To receive information about the series, please contact Dena Levine at Dena.Levine@shu.edu.

Jazz ’n the Hall

Gloria Thurmond, D.Min., Director

The Jazz ’n the Hall program brings prominent jazz musicians to Seton Hall University several times a year for public performances. The goal of the series is to establish Seton Hall University as a cultural center for jazz.  Towards that end, programs are presented that will educate and nurture the awareness of jazz as the cultural and musical heritage of all Americans, advocate an aesthetic appreciation of jazz as a uniquely American musical expression having worldwide artistic significance and influence, and feature world-class jazz artists. Recent performances have included the Lionel Hampton Big Band, the Count Basie Jazz Orchestra, the United States Army Veterans All Stars Jazz Ensemble, and the Seton Hall University Faculty Jazz Ensemble. For more information, call (973) 275-2746 or email artscouncil@shu.edu.

Monsignor John M. Oesterreicher Lecture

Reverend Lawrence Frizzell, D.Phil., Director

The John M. Oesterreicher Endowment funds an annual lecture in memory of Monsignor Oesterreicher, founder of the Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies at Seton Hall University. Additionally, a series of conferences and workshops sponsored by the Institute deal with current and historical perspectives in the relationship between Christians and Jews. These programs are open to the public. More information may be obtained by calling the Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies at (973) 761-9751.

Orchestra

Jason Tramm, D.M.A., Director

The Seton Hall Orchestra offers students an orchestral performing experience as a credited course offering. Students with intermediate to advanced skill levels on all orchestral instruments (strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, and harp) are encouraged to participate. A wide range of music is performed including Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century and popular music. Students have the unique opportunity to perform with faculty and professionals within the orchestra. The Orchestra meets once weekly for a 90- minute rehearsal and presents a concert performance at the end of each semester.

Poetry-in-the-Round

Cara Adams, M.F.A., Director

Poetry-in-the-Round invites the world’s most compelling and celebrated writers to Seton Hall University each year to read and discuss their works with students and community members. Among the many poets, fiction writers and critics who have come to Seton Hall are Elif Batuman, Paul Harding, Téa Obreht, Kirstin Valdez Quade, Brandon Taylor, Parul Sehgal, Amy Tan, George Plimpton, Harold Bloom, Adrienne Rich, Jonathan Franzen, Frank McCourt, John Updike, Arthur Miller, Ted Hughes, Jorie Graham, Nadine Gordimer, Derek Walcott and James Merrill. For more information about the series, call (973) 761-9000 Ext. 5105, or visit shu.edu/arts-council/poetry-in-the-round

Seton Hall Arts Council

Christopher Aurilio, M.A., Co-ordinator

The Seton Hall University Arts Council supports the integral role of the arts in higher education and their universally recognized status as a hallmark of an educated and humane culture. The council contributes to the cultural vitality of the campus and to the University’s role in the greater community by fostering and promoting the visual, literary and performing arts, enhancing communication and collaboration among its members.

The Arts Council serves as the umbrella organization for the Arts Council Classical Concert Series, Jazz ‘n the Hall, Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute, Poetry-in-the-Round, and Seton Hall Theatre. It also supports the efforts of and works in collaboration with the Walsh Gallery, the Seton Hall Touring Choir and other arts and cultural groups on campus. The Council is committed to increasing the visibility of University arts and cultural events on and off campus.

The Arts Council continues its unique partnership with the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). Classical and jazz concerts and the Seton Hall Theatre productions are performed in SOPAC’s intimate performance space. Walsh Gallery exhibitions and Poetry-in-the-Round are offered on Seton Hall’s beautiful 58-acre campus.

Visit shu.edu/arts-council/ or call (908) 510-3339 for event information.

Seton Hall Theatre

Peter Reader, M.F.A., Director

The Seton Hall Theatre program runs throughout the academic year. Four shows are presented from September to May. Two productions perform on-campus in the newly renovated 160-seat theatre and two productions perform at the nearby South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), a state-of-the-art facility that features a new and fully equipped 415 seat proscenium theatre. All students are eligible to audition. Student actors in these shows are directed by a department faculty member or guest artist. Shows vary in style from classical to modern. The program strives to give students a practical and historical approach to the dramatic arts. A performance credit COTR 1620 can  be earned for participation. All students are eligible to audition.

For more information visit shu.edu/theatre/ or call 973-275-2790.

Seton Hall University Choir

Jason Tramm, D.M.A., Director

The Seton Hall University Choir is a  non-auditioned choral ensemble The choir has performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, NJPAC and performs its annual concerts at SOPAC. The ensemble rehearses weekly and is a one-credit course.

Seton Hall University Gospel Choir

Reverend Forrest Pritchett, Ph.D., Program Director

The Seton Hall University Gospel Choir started in 1972 as a small group called “Jus Us.” This group initially consisted of six individuals, whose primary purpose was joining in fellowship through the singing of gospel songs. Later the group changed its name to “Voices United.” During the mid- 1970s The Center for Black Studies began official sponsorship of the choir, and it became the Seton Hall University Gospel Choir. The center also offered academic credit for participation with the choir. During the late 1970s, a highlight of the choir’s itinerary involved performing with the Dance Theatre of Harlem on Broadway in New York City. During the 1990s, the choir’s emphasis began to focus on ministry.

Today, the choir offers ministry in song, movement arts, spoken word and instrumental renditions. The choir gives frequent performances in the community at homeless shelters, community centers, churches, schools and colleges. The Gospel Choir also offers motivational and spiritual workshops to community churches and organizations. The choir performs a fall and a spring concert on campus each year.

For more information, please contact Reverend Forrest Pritchett, Program Director, at forrest.pritchett@shu.edu.

Walsh Gallery

Jeanne Brasile, M.A., Director

The Walsh Gallery is the primary exhibition space on the Seton Hall University’s South Orange campus. Since its inception in 1994, the Walsh Gallery has presented dynamic exhibitions with a broad range of appeal and subject matter. Serving both the University and surrounding communities, the Walsh Gallery hosts three exhibitions annually that range in topics from fine art to the historical, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary themes. The Walsh Gallery welcomes more than 9,000 visitors each year. Students and faculty utilize the gallery as a laboratory for experiential learning, with exhibitions designed to complement the University’s curriculum. Graduate students in the Museum Professions Program receive practical education in all facets of exhibition production while earning credit toward their degrees. Undergraduate students may earn credit for internships and special projects. The gallery produces a number of programs each year including: artist talks, gallery lectures, workshops and educational seminars to enhance the learning potential of the exhibitions. All programs are free and open to the public. For further information contact the director at (973) 275-4883, sarah.ponichtera@shu.edu or visit the website.