The crisp autumn breeze and changing leaves signal the change of seasons and, at OCSA, the beginning of a memorable school year. OCSA students have begun preparing for and delivering spectacular performances and events showcasing their effervescent creativity and talents. Here are some of the upcoming opportunities for everyone to witness OCSA students’ artistic talents this fall semester.
The Visual Arts Conservatory’s Painted Pumpkin Auction
Dozens of creative and innovative student and faculty artists from the Visual Arts Conservatory bring unique artwork to their annual Painted Pumpkin Auction. Running from Friday, October 10 to Friday, October 17, everyone is encouraged to participate in this auction, with all proceeds directly benefiting the Visual Arts Conservatory. These artists utilize various mediums, including painting, sculpting, sewing, and more, to create designs with themes ranging from spooky to awe-inspiring. Take home a one-of-a-kind pumpkin in time for Halloween!
The Halloween Maze
Dare to be scared at the Production Design Conservatory’s Halloween Maze, in collaboration with the Arts & Enterprise Conservatory. Step into this spooktacular maze with student scarers, as they bring fear to life. Horror is unleashed from Tuesday, October 28, to Thursday, October 30, in the Studio Theatre.
The Frederick Fennell Wind Studies Program’s Fall Concert
The Frederick Fennell Wind Studies Program invites audiences to enjoy an evening of music spanning the last 100 years. Everyone has the opportunity to witness OCSA’s award-winning wind ensemble and symphonic band for their first concert of the year on Tuesday, October 14, conducted by Thomas Idzinski and resident conductor Professor Emeritus John Carnahan.
The Creative Writing Conservatory’s Scarefest
Creative Writing’s BOO-tiful Scarefest is a 48-hour play festival in which student teams must rise like the undead to the challenge of writing a complete one-act play in only two days. These Halloween-themed plays must incorporate three elements picked from the Prompt Cauldron ー a character, a line of dialogue, and a prop ー that are provided by students. Actors have one day to rehearse for a staged reading on Wednesday, October 29, sure to delight audiences. The electrifying experiment results in plays that are just as hilarious as they are horrifying!
The Popular Music Conservatory’s Anthems for the Misunderstood
Join the Popular Music Conservatory students for a celebration of punk rock and emo music on Thursday, October 30, and November 1. In collaboration with the Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory, these talented students will honor Dia De Los Muertos with festivities and a special presentation. Commemorate the spooky season with an unforgettable evening!
The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program’s Big Bands Concert
Join the award-winning Garn Family Jazz Studies Program for a night of big band magic! This concert will feature Grammy Award-winning trombonist Michael Dease, alongside OCSA’s spectacular student jazz artists. Don’t miss this captivating performance on Wednesday, November 5.
Commercial Dance Conservatory’s Where We Land: A Homecoming
Welcome to Where We Land: A Homecoming, the Commercial Dance Conservatory’s exhilarating Fall showcase! This high-energy performance celebrates the vibrant spirit of homecoming through invigorating and versatile choreography that captures the pulse of commercial dance today. From jazz to contemporary fusion, our CMD faculty and dancers bring artistry and athleticism to the stage. Join us on Thursday, November 6, and Friday, November 7, as we welcome our community to experience the passion, creativity, and school pride that define where we land.
The Hal Struck Musical Theatre Conservatory's Classroom Cabaret
Classroom Cabaret is the Musical Theatre Conservatory’s student-run series featuring dynamic performances from high school students. This event on Thursday, November 6, and Friday, November 7, has students directing, creating, and choreographing as the classroom cabaret committee.
The Garn Family Jazz Studies Combos Concert
The award-winning Garn Family Jazz Studies Program presents the fall Jazz Combos concert! This evening will feature students in small ensembles, performing staple jazz repertoire as well as original student arrangements and compositions. Come and swing with us on Wednesday, November 12!
The Integrated Arts Conservatory’s Finding Nemo Jr. Musical
The Integrated Arts Middle School students present this unforgettable musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie, Finding Nemo. Witness the heartwarming journey of a clownfish and many friends along the way, crossing an entire ocean to reunite with his son, featuring music from the songwriters of Frozen. “Just keep swimming” on Friday, November 14.
The Ballroom Dance Conservatory’s Team Match Dance-A-Thon
Ballroom Dance Conservatory’s 70 talented dancers are divided into teams for this friendly dance competition in preparation for upcoming national competitions. Catch these dancers as they showcase their skills and offer support for the Ballroom Dance Conservatory through food and dance sponsorships on Sunday, November 16.
The Strings & Orchestra Program’s Chamber Music Concert
The Instrumental Music Strings & Orchestra Program’s upcoming performance will feature chamber music groups composed for award-winning students from the Strings & Orchestra and Pianist Programs. Enjoy this wonderful concert on Monday, November 17, and Wednesday, November 19.
The Frederick Fennell Wind Studies Program’s Chamber Music Concert
Join the Frederick Fennell Wind Studies Program for its Fall Chamber Music Concert on Tuesday, November 18. This unique musical offering will feature various pairings of instruments in an intimate setting.
The Martin & Cynthia Howard Design & Media Conservatory’s Fall Show
The Martin & Cynthia Howard Design & Media Conservatory presents its Fall Show on Wednesday, November 19. This free event showcases the amazing talent of these innovative student artists.
The Hal Struck Musical Theatre Conservatory’s Steel Pier
This Kander and Ebb musical set in the 1930s explores the drama of a dance marathon. Follow along as these student performers take you on a wild ride as they all dance for the grand prize from Thursday, November 20, through Saturday, November 22.
The Classical Voice Conservatory’s Dreams in Melody
Don’t miss the Classical Voice Conservatory’s 9th Grade Art Song Collaboration class featuring an evening of beautiful music and poetry on Friday, November 21! Come and enjoy a breathtaking collaboration between the singers of the Classical Voice Conservatory and pianists as they interpret works by classic composers such as Purcell, Quilter, Britten, Barber, and more.
Visual Arts’ Annual Winter Market
The annual Winter Market is an event designed to give students the real-world experience of being a professional artist, including the responsibility of starting a business and being self-employed. The entire OCSA family is welcome to this fabulous holiday shopping experience, filled with handmade items and artwork. You won’t want to miss your opportunity to buy some unique gifts for your loved ones at the Winter Market dates still to come. Students will receive a majority of the profits from their sales, but will also contribute a small portion to the Visual Arts Conservatory to help fund future projects like these for its students. Winter Market 2025 takes place this November.
The Mekjian Family Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory’s 7 Wonders of the World Event
Travel around the world on the OCSA campus as students in the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory showcase their talents. Sample foods from different countries and cultures on Tuesday, December 2.
The Instrumental Music Piano Program’s Conservatory Solo Recital
Enjoy this captivating recital featuring all students in the Piano program performing solo works. This program will encompass great piano literature dating from 1700 to the present, performed by award-winning students. Juniors will perform on Tuesday, December 2, and Seniors on Wednesday, December 3.
The El-Erian Acting Conservatory’s Medea
Experience the epic Greek tragedy as Medea takes vengeance on all those who scorned her. The Acting Conservatory will bring this classic tale to life starting Thursday, December 4.
The Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory’s Fiesta Navideña
Join Ballet Folklórico Dance students as they kick off the holiday season! This family friendly fundraising event celebrates the rich traditions of Mexico, including traditional food and a live performance by the talented dancers. This event will take place on Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6.
Popular Music’s Middle School Beatles: Across the Universe Concert
The Middle School Performers in the Popular Music Conservatory take on some of music's biggest hits by the band that broke records. “Come together” for this memorable evening, taking on Beatles’ popular songs on Saturday, December 6.
The Classical Music Conservatory’s Opera
Witness the Classic Music Conservatory perform breathtaking Opera scenes for the autumnal season on Saturday, December 6.
The Strings & Orchestra Program’s All Orchestra Concert
The three OCSA orchestras will collaborate to present work from several time-honored composers. Join us for this performance on Wednesday, December 10
The Frederick Fennell Wind Studies Program’s Winter Concert
Join the Frederick Fennell Wind Studies Program for its annual winter concert on Thursday, December 11. This event will feature music from a variety of traditional and modern composers conducted by the program’s illustrious faculty.
The Hal Struck Musical Theatre Conservatory’s HoliDAZE!
The Musical Theatre Conservatory presents its beloved HoliDAZE! show. This two-act musical extravaganza kicks off the holiday season with all your favorite holiday songs and modern classics. Featuring the Musical Theatre Middle School students, this revue will surely be the highlight of the winter season. Check it out on Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13.
The Ballet & Contemporary Dance Conservatory’s Roots and Wings Concert
The Ballet & Contemporary Dance Conservatory celebrates the versatility of their spetacular student dancers on Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13. This performance will feature excerpts of Swan Lake, Neoclassical and Contemporary Dance Repertory, and a Ballet & Contemporary Dance Film. Come see these talented student performer spread their wings as they showcase their talents across a multitude of dance genres.
The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program’s, The Nutcracker
In an evening of music, the OCSA Jazz performers take on Duke Ellington’s version of Tchaikovsky classic, The Nutcracker. Be sure to check out this thrilling performance on Saturday, December 13.
To purchase tickets to these events, check the OCSA Box Office for availability. More events may be added to this list as new information becomes available.