13 Past Events at Emens Auditorium, Ball State University

Orchestra Indiana opens a wondrous new season with music from Harry Potter movies, “The Sorcerer’s Stone,” “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” immortalized in Disney’s Fantasia, and other magical tunes

Original cast members of Broadway sensation “Beatlemania” join Orchestra Indiana for a tribute to the Fab Four. Enjoy all your favorite Beatles’ hits including “Yesterday,” “Help,” and “Love Me Do” performed by musicians who look and sound like John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

Orchestra Indiana performs the sounds of the season under the baton of Troy Webdell and featuring the Taylor University Chorale. On Saturday night, the Youth Symphony Orchestra of East Central Indiana joins for a special side-by-side performance.

Bringing your kids to this concert? Join us in the lobby before the performance for a FREE instrument petting zoo!

“If life were everything it should be, it would be more like HAIRSPRAY.  It’s irresistible!”– The New York Times

You Can’t Stop the Beat! HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon is back on tour! Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world?

Featuring the beloved score of hit songs including “Welcome to the ’60s,” “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” HAIRSPRAY is “fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!” (The New York Times).

This all-new touring production will reunite Broadway’s award-winning creative team led by Director Jack O’Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell to bring HAIRSPRAY to a new generation of theater audiences. Don’t miss this “exhilaratingly funny and warm-hearted musical comedy” (The New Yorker). 

Get your tickets today!

Romance will be in the air in a program featuring Brahm’s impassioned Violin Concerto and highlights from Prokofiev’s searing Romeo & Juliet

Music & audio

THE SOUNDS OF ZAMAR

Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar have carved a unique place for themselves in the music industry through soul-stirring arrangements of contemporary gospel, musical theater, and rich original compositions. The ensemble, organized in 2009, has performed with gospel greats such as William McDowell, Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, Richard Smallwood, VaShawn Mitchell, Earnest Pugh, and James Fortune.

Hailing from Augusta, GA, Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar are known for their opulent harmonies and beautiful blends, which are showcased throughout their 2012 album Limitless. The 14-track compilation is sprinkled with ballads and anthems of original songs that will bring inspiration and joy to the hearts of those who listen.

In addition to their distinct gospel style, Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar have inspired audiences with clever arrangements of musical theater covers. Always providing a fresh perspective, the group’s sound is truly authentic while capturing the essence of the original piece.

Their robust social media following boasts over 80 million YouTube views.

Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar have toured extensively throughout the United States, including performances in major markets like New York City, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Seattle, Austin, and more. Transcending cultural boundaries, the group’s music is sung all over the world. Their international travels have included Paris, France; Krakow, Poland; Menorca, Spain; Rajadell, Spain; and most, recently, Latin America’s biggest cultural event, the Festival International Cervantino in Guanajuato, Mexico (October 2023).

This Winter 2024, the ensemble embarks on their first Canadian tour, which features performances at the iconic Place des Arts in Montreal and the Isabel Bader Center in Kingston; as well as key domestic engagements at the Oberlin Conservatory, The Kentucky Center, Ball State University, and the Flint Institute of Music.

TREY MCLAUGHLIN

Trey M. McLaughlin is a passionate vocalist, educator, composer, arranger, and clinician. Known for fusing together an eclectic mix of musical genres, he arranges and performs original works with his own touring and recording ensemble, The Sounds of Zamar. Trey currently serves as Director of Worship and Arts at Tabernacle Baptist Church of Augusta, Georgia, and is the Artistic Director of the non-profit performing arts youth group, Creative Impressions, of which he was once a member and Student Director. Trey serves as adjunct faculty at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, teaching graduate level courses in conducting, vocal technique, composition, arranging, and piano.

Born in Augusta, GA, Trey M. McLaughlin graduated from the John S. Davidson Magnet School in 2002. He attended Columbus State University (The Schwob School of Music) in Columbus, GA, graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree with emphasis in Vocal Pedagogy. Trey is a member and past president of the professional music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and is a former director of G.E.N.E.S.I.S., the Columbus State University Gospel Choir.

In 2014, Trey had the honor of performing and teaching at the L’Opéra de Massy in Massy, France. In October of 2015, he conducted a 300-voice choir in Krakow, Poland as the guest clinician of the annual 7x Festival. Domestically, in January of 2020, Trey led workshops with twelve local Boston choirs, culminating in an electrifying joint performance at Harvard University. Locally, he often serves as guest clinician for Honor Choruses throughout the state of Georgia.

In February 2024, Trey will be a featured guest artist/conductor at the Southwest American Choral Directors’ Association (SWACDA) Conference in Denver, leading their gospel honors choir. Preceding this, Trey will be a resident guest artist at the College of Fine & Performing Arts at Western Washington University.

As a performer, composer, clinician, educator, and mentor, Trey M. McLaughlin is an ambassador for the Augusta Arts community. His international, national, and local work provides rich cultural and artistic experiences for all of whom he encounters.

The Ball State University Singers are extra ecstatic this year for their 2024 Spectacular because this will be our 60th anniversary performance! We are pulling out all the stops for this momentous event. It's a reunion year for all past cast members to enjoy and be recognized, and ALL guest choreographers are Singers alums! The cast features promising new and veteran members bringing their special skills and talents to the stage under the new leadership of Jodi Cotton-Street who is creating a special new event that is sure to be a dazzling display of showmanship and celebration. This must-see event will be a ONE NIGHT ONLY show at 7:00pm April 13th, so be sure to plan ahead with your friends, family, and fans to join the HUNDREDS of audience members cheering on the Singers during our professional-level performance of music throughout the decades! This will be a showing of faith, hope, laughter, and love that you will NOT want to miss!

The ensemble is under the direction of Jodi Cotton-Street.

This is the only full public performance.