WSU Voice & Opera/Musical Theatre

09/17/2025

“I Am in Need of Music” is the title of a beautiful song by American composer, Ben Moore and is the theme for this evening’s recital of art song by Dr. Julie Anne Wieck, soprano and Elena Panchenko, harpsichord and piano. They will be joined by Dr. Ruth Boden on cello for a set of Baroque songs by Henry Purcell, starting with “If Music Be the Food of Love.” The rest of the recital will consist of German lied by Schubert, Strauss, Brahms and Wolf, followed by a selection of songs from Chants d’Auvergne by Joseph Canteloube.

08/13/2025

This fall MUS 428 Opera/Musical Theatre will be performing Music by Stephen Schwartz and Stephen Sondheim. The class meets on M/W from 3:10 - 5:00. Auditions are being held this Thursday, August 14 through Monday, August 17 in Kimbrough 115. You do not need to be a music major to audition so sign up now at https://music.wsu.edu/choral-ensemble-auditions/.

06/30/2025

We had a fabulous time at the Cougar Summer Music Camp in the musical theatre ensembles! There were two ensembles that joined together at the end of the week, allowing for some students to be exclusively in musical theatre while others also participated in band, choir, or piano. Seventeen students performed songs from “Little Shop of Horrors” and even made their own versions of Audrey II, the man eating plant, for the finale. Director Dr. Julie Anne Wieck, Assistant Director/Choreographer Jessica Hirsh from University of Idaho Theatre, and Colaborative Pianist/ Coach Elena Panchenko look forward to doing it again next summer!

05/19/2025

This will be the fourth year of the WSU Cougar Summer Music Camp and we are excited to announce that as the camp has grown each year, so has the interest in musical theatre. Because of that we are pleased to be adding a guest faculty member to our program. Joining Dr. Julie Anne Wieck and Elena Panchenko will be Jess Hirsh, Assistant Professor in Musical Theatre in the University of Idaho Theatre Department. She will be assisting with electives, choreography and rehearsals.

The camp is designed for grades 8 – 12 with current 7th graders also accepted. Campers will be able to choose the Musical Theatre Track OR one of the large ensembles (Choir, Band, Orchestra) or piano and then musical theatre as their second ensemble. Please spread the word! The deadline for registration is June 1!

04/15/2025

Singers, This year we are expanding the musical theatre offerings so you have the option of choosing choir and musical theatre or just musical theatre! Either way, prepare to have some fun in Pullman this summer!

Registration is now open for the 2025 Cougar Summer Music Camp!

Our Annual WSU Cougar Summer Music Camp welcomes all band, choir, and orchestra students grades 7-12 to join us for another fantastic summer. Ensembles include concert band, jazz band, orchestra, choir, musical theater, African drumming, and more!

We are excited to highlight the return of our string program this summer!!

Application Deadline: Application, recordings, forms and fees must be received by June 1, 2025

Join us today!!

03/06/2025

The musical Jane Eyre is based on the classic novel by Charlotte Brontë. It tells the story of a young orphan girl whose strong will, spirit and faith lead her to become a governess, and ultimately an independent woman, finding love and acceptance. This romantic tale also includes the themes of forgiveness and redemption, beautifully portrayed through the music of Paul Gordon and John Caird. The WSU School of Music production, directed by Dr. Julie Anne Wieck and conducted by Dr. Danh Pham, will be performed in Bryan Hall Theatre on Friday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 5 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door one hour before each performance at $10 for students and senior citizens and $15 for general admission. This production is presented and licensed through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

02/15/2025

Bravo, Kayla! From playing Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance at WSU to Patience in Portland! “Let the merry cymbals sound!”

11/22/2024

Bravi tutti! This cast gave a wonderful performance tonight, supported beautifully by collaborative pianist, Elena Panchenko! Now everyone, please have a safe and restful Thanksgiving break

11/20/2024

Don’t miss the fall opera production of Merry Marriage? this Thursday, November 21 at 7:30 in Bryan Hall Theatre, featuring scenes from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Lehar’s The Merry Widow.

11/12/2024

Bravo to the singers and pianists who represented WSU this weekend at the Inland Northwest Chapter of National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions at University of Idaho! Left to right are Kayla Mommsen, Mikiah Harper, Darya Baker, Ashley Myers, Francisco Ruiz and Andon Merrick. Not pictured are Daniela Alpire and Fatima Cadena Garcia, as well as collaborative pianists, Elena Panchenko, Kyle Coleman, Ian Kurth and Yeseul Kim. Congratulations to the following who placed in their divisions: Francisco Ruiz, 1st place in lower college classical TBB; Ashley Myers, 3rd place in lower college classical Treble; and Darya Baker, 3rd place in upper college musical theatre.

10/29/2024

Merry Marriage? That is the theme for this fall’s opera production, including scenes from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow. The cast of characters find themselves involved in a variety of marital situations that put into question the “merry” state. The ensemble is directed by Dr. Julie Anne Wieck, supported by collaborative pianist, Elena Panchenko and MaKenna Wagnon, teaching graduate assistant.

10/18/2024

Tonight in Bryan Hall Theatre, 7:30 PM!

Please join the WSU vocal ensembles for their annual Vocal Extravaganza! This year’s concert will take place on Friday October 18th at 7:30 pm in WSU-Pullman’s Bryan Hall Theatre. The event is open and free for all.

The concert will open with scenes from our Opera/Musical Theatre ensemble. Merry Marriage? That is the theme for this fall’s opera production, including scenes from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow. The cast of characters find themselves involved in a variety of marital situations that put into question the “merry” state. The ensemble is directed by Dr. Julie Anne Wieck, supported by collaborative pianist, Elena Panchenko and MaKenna Wagnon, teaching graduate assistant.

Our concert will continue with performances by the choral ensembles at WSU. These include the University Singers and Treble Choir, conducted by Matthew Myers, and the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, conducted by Dean Luethi. The theme for this fall’s choral performances is “elements.” Performances will include works by Elaine Hagenberg, Darius Lim, Reena Esmail, Andris Sējāns, Hugo Wolf, Alberto Grau, Thomas Morley, John Conahan, and others.

Admission is free.

Join us in person or stream the event live on YouTube at WSUPullmanMusic