On Nov. 18, Williams will return for the world premiere of Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth, an adventurous new composition written specifically for Lawrence’s woodwind faculty. The performance marks another chapter in a relationship that has continued to grow long after his time as a student. 

For Williams, that relationship began almost entirely by chance. 

Growing up in Chicago, Williams imagined attending a large university. While waiting to speak with representatives from Harvard at a college fair, his mother wandered over to a table representing a small liberal arts college in Wisconsin. She encouraged him to take a closer look. 

“I really loved the small campus and just the personable nature of everyone who I met,” Williams recalled. 

That unexpected introduction would set the course for a career that has taken his music around the world. 

Finding his voice at Lawrence 

Williams arrived at Lawrence intending to become a music educator, pursuing music education and trombone performance while studying composition on the side. Through the encouragement of faculty mentors and opportunities to explore different musical disciplines, he began to recognize his passion for composing. 

He credits faculty members including Joanne Metcalf, Asha Srinivasan, and former Director of Bands Andrew Mast with helping him develop his musical voice. 

“They supported me every step of the way, even when I had like really crazy ideas,” Williams said. 

Williams participated in nearly every ensemble he could, from wind ensemble and symphonic band to jazz, orchestra, and choir. Through the McNair Scholars Program, he also discovered a passion for teaching that helped him envision a future as both a composer and professor. 

After Lawrence, Williams pursued graduate studies at Bowling Green State University and earned his doctorate at the University of Cincinnati. His music has since been performed by renowned ensembles, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Yet throughout those accomplishments, Lawrence has remained a constant. 

A connection that keeps bringing him home 

Williams has returned to Lawrence in several capacities, including a faculty appointment and performances of his original compositions. In 2024, he composed a work for wind ensemble and organ celebrating the Conservatory of Music’s 150th anniversary, an experience he considers a career highlight. 

His continued connection to Lawrence is rooted as much in its people as its music. 

“A lot of the first people who supported my music were people I went to Lawrence with,” Williams said. “And the fact that Lawrence keeps bringing me back is just so, so great because they have really supported my career.” 

Now, he welcomes opportunities to extend that same support to current students, offering guidance, sharing connections, and encouraging young musicians to explore their own paths. 

A new sound for a familiar stage 

His latest collaboration began with a message from Lawrence clarinet professor Andy Hudson, who shared that the woodwind faculty wanted Williams to compose a concerto grosso, a work featuring multiple soloists. 

The invitation immediately captured Williams’ imagination. He had never written a concerto for more than two soloists, much less one combining a woodwind quintet with an entire wind ensemble. 

Around that same time, a student introduced Williams to progressive metal after recognizing similarities between his compositional style and the genre. Williams began exploring bands including Haken and Animals as Leaders, finding inspiration in their complex rhythms and dramatic sounds. 

The result is Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth, a composition that brings the intensity of progressive metal into the concert hall. 

The piece calls on musicians to employ unconventional techniques that mimic wailing voices and grinding teeth. Woodwind players will use vocal effects and tongue clicks, while powerful percussion and instrumental textures evoke the sounds of electric guitars. 

The world premiere will feature the ����vlog Wind Ensemble, directed by Ceon D. Rumphs, with Conservatory faculty soloists Erin Lesser on flute, Andrea Hixon on oboe, Andy Hudson on clarinet, Joseph Connor on saxophone, and Brigit Pacher on bassoon. 

The Nov. 18 program will also feature Williams’ Lux Aeterna, performed by the ����vlog Symphonic Band with Williams serving as guest conductor. 

Still finding inspiration at Lawrence 

For Williams, the upcoming premiere represents the chance to try something entirely new in the same environment that first encouraged him to push creative boundaries. 

“Lawrence was a place that really encouraged me to experiment a lot,” he said. “My teachers were always pushing me to try new things in my music and not to stay stagnant and be comfortable.” 

That encouragement extended beyond music. Williams remembers exploring government, science, mathematics, and other liberal arts disciplines, discovering unexpected connections that continue to influence his compositions today. 

Nearly 15 years after graduating, he still finds himself inspired by the place where his musical journey took flight. 

“Lawrence is still encouraging me to experiment with my music and try new things,” Williams said. “And so to try this new thing and bring it back to the Lawrence stage, that’s actually really special to me.” 

The post A familiar stage, a bold new sound: Evan Williams ’10 returns to Lawrence for world premiere�� appeared first on ����vlog.

The evening will begin with The Prelude, a pre-concert reception starting at 6 p.m. outside Harper Hall, where audience members can enjoy refreshments and hear insights about the program from conductors.

The concert brings together both Lawrence bands for a unified musical journey spanning American hymns, jazz, ragtime, spirituals, Indigenous influences, marches and other traditions that have shaped the nation’s musical identity.

“This concert is different than other conservatory concerts because there’s one universal theme that was responsible for the construction of the entire program from beginning to end,” said Ceon Rumphs, visiting assistant professor of music and Wind Ensemble conductor at ����vlog. “You get to hear distinctly American music, distinctly American sounds, and distinctly American composers all the way from the beginning to the end.”

The performance features 12 works, five by the Symphonic Band and seven by the Wind Ensemble, selected to reflect both the triumphs and the complexities of the American experience.

“America has a rich musical heritage, and this concert is an opportunity to celebrate that heritage,” said Matthew Arau, associate professor of music education and Symphonic Band conductor. “Within all of the American music we’re celebrating, there’s this richness of identity, of what it means to be an American.”

A highlight of the evening will be the appearance of guest conductor Kevin Sedatole, director of bands and professor of music at Michigan State University and one of the nation’s most respected wind conductors. He will rehearse with both ensembles and conduct selections during the concert.

“Dr. Kevin Sedatole is one of those figures who has been really influential and important in the development of the wind ensemble as a serious medium of performance,” Rumphs said. “It’s a wonderful chance for students to experience somebody who’s been so influential over his career.”

Arau said Sedatole’s presence will add another dimension to an already memorable event.

“He is a leader in the profession,” Arau said. “I’m excited for both bands to learn from someone who has dedicated his life to uplifting the wind band globally.”

Beyond the music, the conductors hope the program encourages reflection on shared community and connection.

“It’s our hope that this America 250 concert makes the audience think about community and how you are more similar to your neighbor than how you are different,” Rumphs said.

For those unable to attend in person at Memorial Chapel on Oct. 17, please join us via webcast: .

The post America 250 concert to celebrate the many voices of the American experience appeared first on ����vlog.

����vlog’s Department of Theatre Arts announced today the launch of Lawrence Theatre of the Air as a weekly podcast series, making more than two decades of live Old Time Radio performances available to listeners everywhere for the first time.��

Beginning Thursday, September 3, 2026, one new episode will be released each week through December 31, 2026, for a total of 18 episodes drawn from the ensemble’s archive of live productions. The series is available on all major podcast platforms and can also be streamed directly at []().��

For more than 20 years, Lawrence Theatre of the Air has revived the art of the radio play, performing classic scripts by writers such as Norman Corwin and Arch Oboler before a live studio audience — most often in ����vlog’s F. Theodore Cloak Theatre. The series is especially known for its sci-fi and detective serials, capturing the imagination and craftsmanship of radio drama’s golden age with live sound effects, full casts, and the same immediacy that made the original broadcasts a cultural phenomenon. 

“It’s easy to file Corwin and Oboler under nostalgia, but that undersells them. These were serious writers working at the height of their craft, composing for an audience that had to build the entire world in its own imagination. That’s a demanding literary form, not a novelty act — and performing it live keeps us honest to that demand. Sharing these recordings is really an invitation to hear that writing on its own terms,” said Timothy X. Troy, Professor and Chair of Theatre Arts, Hurvis Professor of Theatre and Drama at ����vlog. 

The podcast offers new listeners a chance to discover a tradition that has, until now, lived primarily in the room where it was performed — and gives longtime attendees a way to revisit favorite productions on their own time. 

Lawrence Theatre of the Air is produced by ����vlog’s Department of Theatre Arts. New episodes release every Thursday beginning September 3, 2026.��

Listen:  and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.��

The post Lawrence Theatre of the Air Launches as Weekly Podcast, Bringing Golden Age Radio Drama to New Audiences appeared first on ����vlog.

This fall, the Lawrence Community Music School is proud to welcome internationally acclaimed singer, composer, educator, and community song leader Elise Witt as Artist in Residence with the Lawrence Community Girl Choir.

Known for creating joyful, participatory musical experiences around the world, Witt has performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall in New York City to the Bluebird Café in Nashville. During her residency, she will work directly with singers in each of the Lawrence Community Girl Choir ensembles through workshops, rehearsals, and performances centered on her original music.

Families interested in joining Girl Choir are encouraged to register by Wednesday, September 9, to participate in the full 2026–27 Girl Choir season and experience Witt’s residency throughout the fall semester.

The collaboration will continue throughout the fall semester, with Witt visiting each choir individually in October and culminating in a public concert at Lawrence Memorial Chapel on December 12.

The residency’s theme is built around Witt’s piece “Open the Window,” inspired by a traditional song from the Georgia Sea Islands.

“I am thrilled and honored that each of the Girls Choirs will be singing one of my songs,” said Witt. “The theme of my residency is ‘Open the Window.’ It celebrates a song that originated in the Georgia Sea Islands and expands to invite all of us to open our own windows, in our own minds, to celebrate this amazing world we live in.”

Throughout the residency, singers will explore music inspired by nature, gratitude, imagination, and community while working directly with the composer herself. The experience is designed to strengthen musicianship while fostering creativity, confidence, collaboration, and artistic expression.

“This residency is an extraordinary opportunity for our singers to experience the creative process alongside a living composer,” said Jaclyn Hittner, Artistic Director of the Lawrence Community Girl Choir. “Elise’s music encourages curiosity, joy, and meaningful connection, and we’re excited to welcome both returning and new singers into this inspiring season.”

In addition to working with Girl Choir singers, Witt will lead a free Community Sing for teens and adults on Sunday, October 18, from 1–3 p.m. at ����vlog. The event will offer community members an opportunity to experience Witt’s joyful, participatory approach to music-making firsthand. More information about the Community Sing will be available through Lawrence Community Music School.

Lawrence Community Girl Choir serves young singers from throughout Northeast Wisconsin, providing high-quality choral education in an empowering and inclusive environment. Singers of varying experience levels are welcome, and financial assistance is available.

Families interested in learning more or registering can visit:

The post Internationally Acclaimed Composer Elise Witt to Lead Artist Residency with Lawrence Community Girl Choir appeared first on ����vlog.

For Lawrence Chamber Music Festival participants, Mile of Music offered an opportunity unlike any traditional concert. Throughout the week, the nearly 80 young musicians worked alongside festival artists to develop original arrangements, often with only a short rehearsal period before taking the stage. The collaborations challenged students to adapt quickly, listen closely, and create something entirely new hallmarks of both chamber music and the Mile of Music experience. 

Those performances took place throughout downtown, introducing audiences to everything from classical repertoire reimagined alongside contemporary artists to energetic sets that reflected the collaborative spirit of the festival. The result was a series of performances that could only happen in Appleton during Mile of Music. 

Lawrence alumni also had a strong presence throughout the weekend, performing with bands and musical projects on stages across the city. For many, the festival served as both a homecoming and a reunion, bringing former classmates, professors, current students, and community members together through a shared love of music. 

Beyond the performances, the festival highlighted Lawrence’s longstanding relationship with Appleton. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members gathered to support one another, explore new music, and celebrate the creative energy that fills the city each summer. 

From intimate acoustic sets and packed outdoor stages to spontaneous collaborations and chance reunions, Mile of Music once again demonstrated how music has the power to bring people together. It also reinforced Lawrence’s role as an active contributor to the cultural life of the Fox Cities, not only by educating the next generation of musicians and artists, but by participating in and strengthening the community that surrounds it. 

The video and images above capture just a glimpse of the unforgettable performances, collaborations, and moments of connection that made this year’s festival one to remember.��

The post Lawrence Community Makes Music Across Appleton During Mile of Music�� appeared first on ����vlog.

The festival presents an opportunity for community members and visitors alike to experience Lawrence in action while enjoying live music throughout Appleton.  

Chamber Music Festival performances��

Nearly 80 exceptional young musicians are spending part of their summer at Lawrence as participants in the Chamber Music Festival. Throughout��Mile of Music, they will perform both on campus��and at venues across Appleton,��showcasing��their artistry��in a variety of settings.������

Festival participants also will collaborate with visiting Mile of Music artists to create original arrangements, bringing unique performances to audiences throughout downtown.  

Young Artist Showcase performances 

• July 31 | 9 a.m.��–��Music in Motion, an interactive concert for adults and children ages 5 and up (Harper Hall)��

• July 31 | 11 a.m.��– Young Artist Showcase No. 1 (Hilton Paper Valley Ballroom)��

• July 31 | 2 p.m.��– Young Artist Showcase No. 2 (Riverview Gardens)��

• Aug. 1 | 10:30 a.m.��– Young Artist Showcase No. 3 (Copper Rock Coffee Co.)��

• Aug. 1 | 2:30 p.m.��– Young Artist Showcase No. 4 (Appleton Public Library)��

Cheer on Lawrence alumni at Mile of Music��

Lawrence alumni will also be taking stages throughout Mile of Music.��Festivalgoers can support fellow Vikings at performances across downtown Appleton.����

This year’s lineup includes: 

• ��’19 (Stillhouse Junkies)��

• ��’08��

• Jake Crowe ’10 (��and��)��

• ��’23��

• ��’24 (Wine on Fridays)��

Support fellow Lawrentians��

Those looking for another way to celebrate the Lawrence community��can stop��by��McFleshman’s��Brewing Co., an official Mile of Music venue owned by Lawrence Associate Professor of Chemistry Allison Fleshman.��The venue��provides��another opportunity��to support fellow Lawrentians while enjoying the festival.����

Lawrence community members can be found both on campus and throughout downtown Appleton during Mile of Music, creating opportunities to celebrate music, connect with fellow Vikings, and experience the vibrant partnership between the university and the Appleton community.  

The post Celebrating Lawrence at Mile of Music’s Annual Festival appeared first on ����vlog.

The post Lawrence summer music programs bring nearly 80 young musicians to Appleton appeared first on ����vlog.

The post ����vlog Announces 2026-27 Performing Arts Series Season appeared first on ����vlog.

The post ����vlog to present world premiere of the opera, A Nearer Mother appeared first on ����vlog.

The post Two ����vlog music faculty win GRAMMY award appeared first on ����vlog.