CofC Ensembles

CofC Ensembles is a series of student performances by our opera, orchestra, Concert Choir, Gospel Choir, Latin American Music Ensemble and steelband.

2025-2026 Concerts

Concerts are added throughout the year. Dates, times and venues are subject to change.

Opera
Friday, Feb. 20 & Sunday, Feb. 22 | Sottile Theatre
Hänsel und Gretel is a German opera by Engelbert Humperdinck, based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, about two children who get lost in a forest and encounter a gingerbread house inhabited by a witch. The opera tells the story of Hansel and Gretel being sent into the forest to find strawberries, their misadventures, their discovery of the witch's house, and their eventual escape and return home. The opera is known for its charming melodies, often drawing from German folk songs, and its blend of accessible and sophisticated musical styles.
Sung in German with English supertitles.
For this production, CofC Opera is excited to partner with the Charleston Symphony, under the baton of Wojciech Milewski. Learn about College of Charleston Opera and its impressive projects and history.
- Purchase tickets (discounted admission for CofC students/faculty/staff)
Need help with tickets or want to purchase by phone or in person? Contact the George Street Box Office.

Thursday, March 12, from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. | Simons Center Recital Hall
Renowned tenor Nils Neubert will give a masterclass to voice students. Open to the public at no cost.
Neubert was born and raised in Hamburg, Germany, and maintains careers as a performer, coach, educator, scholar, and administrator in the United States and abroad. He is a sought-after interpreter of song, oratorio, opera, and chamber music, and has appeared as a soloist and small ensemble singer throughout North America and Europe.

Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center
Join the College of Charleston’s orchestra and opera programs for a send-off concert featuring repertoire that will be performed on tour just days later at Boston Symphony Hall.
This concert celebrates America’s 250th with a vibrant program of iconic American composers, featuring Bernstein’s energetic overtures from Candide and West Side Story; Gershwin’s “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, bringing a touch of Charleston’s charm to Boston; and Copland’s stirring The Promise of Living from The Tender Land, evoking the spirit of American hope and community. The evening will culminate with the uplifting Make Our Garden Grow from Candide.
This performance is a celebration of America’s musical heritage, showcasing the College of Charleston Orchestra and Opera programs as they present this rich and diverse repertoire first in Charleston, then in the heart of Boston. Conducted by Yuriy Bekker.
- Purchase tickets
- Need help with tickets or want to purchase by phone or in person? Contact the Gaillard Ticket Office at 843.242.3099.
Learn about the orchestra and opera's upcoming performance at Boston Symphony Hall, in celebration of America's 250th!
Orchestra
Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center
Join the College of Charleston’s orchestra and opera programs for a send-off concert featuring repertoire that will be performed on tour just days later at Boston Symphony Hall.
This concert celebrates America’s 250th with a vibrant program of iconic American composers, featuring Bernstein’s energetic overtures from Candide and West Side Story; Gershwin’s “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, bringing a touch of Charleston’s charm to Boston; and Copland’s stirring The Promise of Living from The Tender Land, evoking the spirit of American hope and community. The evening will culminate with the uplifting Make Our Garden Grow from Candide.
This performance is a celebration of America’s musical heritage, showcasing the College of Charleston Orchestra and Opera programs as they present this rich and diverse repertoire first in Charleston, then in the heart of Boston. Conducted by Yuriy Bekker.
- Purchase tickets
- Need help with tickets or want to purchase by phone or in person? Contact the Gaillard Ticket Office at 843.242.3099.
Learn about the orchestra and opera's upcoming performance at Boston Symphony Hall, in celebration of America's 250th!
Choral Ensembles

The College of Charleston Choirs will present fantastic season of concerts, directed by Emily Bohl. Learn about our Choral Ensembles.
A spring concert is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026. Details to be shared soon.

PAST CONCERT:
The College of Charleston Concert Choir will present Vespera, Somnia, Aurora -- a dynamic fall concert that explores themes of dusk, dreams, and dawn through the work of Brahms, Whitacre, Aleotti, Uusberg, Powell and more.
Friday, Nov. 21 at 7:00 p.m. | Simons Center Recital Hall
FREE admission
Wind Ensemble

Directed by Nisan Ak, the Wind Ensemble's spring concert is tentatively scheduled for April 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., in the Simons Center Recital Hall. Details to be shared soon.

PAST CONCERT:
The College of Charleston Wind Ensemble invites you on a musical journey across continents, featuring pieces inspired by Cajun traditions, Turkish folk melodies, Latin rhythms, and East Asian sonorities. Experience music that celebrates cultures from every corner of the world:
March, Op. 99 by Sergey Prokofiev (arr. Paul Yoder), A Trumpeter’s Lullaby by Leroy Anderson (arr. Philip J. Lang), When Spirits Soar by Brian Balmages, Üsküdar (Traditional Turkish, arr. Robert W. Smith & Michael Story), Asian Folk Rhapsody by Richard L. Saucedo, Latin Holiday by J. Olivadoti, and Cajun Folk Songs by Frank Ticheli
Sunday, Nov. 16 at 4:00pm | Simons Center Recital Hall
FREE admission
Latin American Music Ensemble (Otro Sur)

Guest artist Fabiola Mendez and her quartet will perform. Details forthcoming.
Thursday, April 2 at 7:30pm | Simons Center Recital Hall
Otro Sur's spring concert “É Proibido Proibir" (It is forbidden to forbid) draws its name and inspiration from a song of the same name by Brazilian musician and countercultural icon Caetano Veloso.
Democracy and freedom of speech have been fragile concepts in much of Latin America. Musicians who have spoken up in, or against authoritarian governments have faced censorship, exile, torture, and even death. In this concert, CofC's student ensemble Otro Sur celebrates the musicians who have spoken up against authoritarianism in countries including Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. The ensemble will be joined by special guests including members of the CofC Concert Choir and violinist Laura Díaz Coronado '22.
Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30pm | Simons Center Recital Hall
Admission is free.

Concerts & Performances

Under the direction of Yuriy Bekker, the College of Charleston Orchestra is just one of the many ensemble performance opportunities available for our students to share their talents with Charleston audiences.