Music Department Events
Department of Music Event Schedule
All Events are free and open to the public unless indicated.
A $10 donation to student scholarships is suggested.
Consider a Concert Donation or become a Friend of Music!
Giving Page – click here.
All Live at Lunch performances are at Reed Plaza
Thursdays, 12: 00 PM – 1:00 PM
Free Popcorn
Free and Open to the public
Visitors must register for a permit to park on the UNC Asheville campus at unca.aimsparking.com.
UNCA Department of Music Fall 2026 Events!
Fall Gala Spectacular
What do you get when you take the spring Super Mega Music Festival, add a little autumn chill, and move the whole musical extravaganza indoors?
THE FALL GALA SPECTACULAR!
This spring, we’ll be back on the Quad for our beloved Super Mega Music Festival. But with November temperatures dropping, we’re taking our fall celebration downtown to one of Asheville’s most iconic stages: The Orange Peel!
Join us Tuesday, November 17, for a dazzling, genre-hopping showcase of UNC Asheville’s musical ensembles. Expect an evening bursting with talent, creativity, unexpected musical combinations, and enough stylistic variety to keep your ears on their toes.
And the timing couldn’t be better! Presented in partnership with Undergraduate Research Day, the Fall Gala Spectacular is the perfect way to blow off some steam after a full day of presentations, discoveries, and intellectual heavy lifting.
From intimate performances to full-ensemble showstoppers, it’s a chance to experience the extraordinary range of music being made right here on our campus, all while supporting the next generation of UNC Asheville musicians.
The Fall Gala Spectacular
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
The Orange Peel, Downtown Asheville
Come cheer on your fellow Bulldogs, celebrate the incredible music happening at UNC Asheville, and help us turn a chilly November evening into one spectacular night!
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Sunday, September 27
ELEMENTS
UNCA Wind Ensemble & UNCA Percussion Ensemble
Emily Mariko Eng and Matthew Richmond, directors
3:00 PM
Blue Ridge Room – Highsmith Student Union
Thursday, October 1 – Live at Lunch
Featuring: The Core
Jacob Rodriguez – Saxophone
Bill Bares – Piano
Zack Page – Bass
Evan Martin – Drums
12:00 PM
Reed Plaza- Highsmith Student Union
Thursday, October 8 – Live at Lunch
UNCA Wind Ensemble & The Brazilian Jazz Ensemble
Emily Mariko Eng and Zack Page, directors
12:00 PM
Reed Plaza- Highsmith Student Union
Saturday, October 10
Blue Ridge Orchestra – Fall Family Concert
11:00 AM
Blue Ridge Room – Highsmith Student Union
Emily Mariko Eng, director
https://blueridgeorchestra.org/
Sunday, October 11
Blue Ridge Orchestra – Fall Family Concert
3:00 PM
First Baptist Church, Weaverville
Emily Mariko Eng, director
https://blueridgeorchestra.org/
Thursday, October 15 – Live at Lunch
The Songwriters Ensemble
UNCA Students perform their original songs.
Emily Mariko Eng, director
12:00 PM
Reed Plaza- Highsmith Student Union
Sunday, October 18
University Chorale & The Asheville Singers Concert
Chuck Taft and Melodie Galloway, directors
3: 00 PM
Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall – UNCA Campus
Thursday, October 22 – Live at Lunch
The Bluegrass Ensemble
Wayne Erbsen, director
12:00 PM
Reed Plaza- Highsmith Student Union
Thursday, October 29 – Live at Lunch
The Cole Porter Ensemble
Brian Felix, director
12:00 PM
Reed Plaza- Highsmith Student Union
Thursday, October 29
The Contemporary Guitar Ensemble
Tim Doyle, director
7:00 PM
Mullen James Lecture Hall
Wednesday, November 4
Brazilian Jazz Ensemble, Cole Porter Ensemble & The XTET
Zack Page, Brian Felix and Will Boyd, directors
7:00 PM
White Horse Black Mountain
https://whitehorseblackmountain.org
Sunday, November 15
UNCA Wind Ensemble & UNCA Percussion Ensemble
Emily Mariko Eng and Matthew Richmond, directors
3:00 PM
Blue Ridge Room – Highsmith Student Union
Sunday, November 22
Hellbender Chamber Music Ensemble
Claudia Malchow, director
3:00 PM
Blue Ridge Room – Highsmith Student Union
Tuesday, December 1
University Chorale & The Asheville Singers Concert
Chuck Taft and Melodie Galloway, directors
7:00 PM
LocationTBA
Saturday & Sunday, December 6 & 7
Blue Ridge Orchestra Holiday Renaissance Concert
Emily Mariko Eng, director
3:00 PM
Kittredge Arts Center
First Baptist Church, Weaverville
https://blueridgeorchestra.org/