What's coming to the 2022-23 University Concert Series, including Take 6, jukebox musicals and more

Elite vocal talent, a string of popular musicals and a resilient Ukrainian orchestra.

These are just some of the elements threaded through the 2022-23 University of Missouri Concert Series. The upcoming season, announced late last week, offers something appealing to a wide swath of performing-arts lovers, encompassing music, theater and dance while foregrounding artists from Columbia, the U.S. and across the globe.

The season begins Oct. 25 in Jesse Auditorium with a visit from one of the truly great American orchestras, the St. Louis Symphony. Tickets for the entire docket go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Sept. 28.

Here are just a few potential highlights from the season slate:

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Vocal excellence

A pair of standard-bearing vocal ensembles, and a rising act in the field, will grace the Concert Series season.

First, the relative newcomers: Voctave will deliver a holiday concert Dec. 8 at Missouri Theatre. The 11-member outfit boasts a serious online presence, with more than 150 million YouTube views, and recorded "The Spirit of the Season" — from which the concert gets its name — back in 2016.

On Feb. 10, Take 6 alights upon Jesse Auditorium; the stalwarts own 10 Grammys and 10 Dove Awards — but more important, they have reshaped modern vocal music with their gospel- and jazz-informed harmonies. AllMusic labeled Take 6 "a throwback to an earlier era of American music" and an influence on artists such as Boyz II Men.

The Manhattan Transfer sound will reverberate through Jesse on April 12. More than 50 years strong in some iteration, the group owns multiple Grammys and has spread its hits across several Billboard charts, a testimony to its range.

Musicals worthy of 'R.E.S.P.E.C.T.'

A strong season of musicals kicks off with the modern classic "Chicago" on Oct. 29 in Jesse Auditorium.

Two very promising jukebox musicals also pop off the calendar: "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." (Nov. 8) and "On Your Feet" (Jan. 18), both at Jesse. The former, of course, honors the force of nature that is the late, great Aretha Franklin; the latter traces the lives of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, honoring their nearly 50-year partnership in life and music.

Instrumental prowess

Following the season-opening St. Louis Symphony date, several groups steeped in classical or chamber music will arrive in Columbia.

Among them, Empire Wild, who perform at Missouri Theatre on Feb. 7. The trio, featuring two cellos and piano, resembles a chamber group and clearly is fluent in the classical idiom. But it expands the form to enfold vocals as well as strains of folk, jazz and more.

In what's sure to be a season highlight, the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine comes to Jesse on Feb. 25, playing a program that features Brahms and Dvorak.

"Over 250 art events have been held at the Lviv Philharmonic since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion," the Concert Series notes in its season materials.

"These include both concerts in the philharmonic hall and street events specifically geared toward immigrants. In addition, the Philharmonic has begun proactively working on its sheet music archives since, sending Ukrainian music out to all corners of the world and ensuring that their culture will never be forgotten."

Local talent on approach

Columbia-forged talent has a prominent place on the Concert Series schedule.

Mareck Dance (formerly Missouri Contemporary Ballet) offers its athletic, versatile artistry across multiple seasons of the calendar.

It will perform "Unleashed" on Nov. 11-12 at Missouri Theatre, then return to that grand venue April 7-8 with its signature "Live!" show. June 3-4, it closes the season with its "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" at Jesse Auditorium.

The MU Choral Union will present Verdi's stirring "Requiem" on Dec. 2 at Jesse, while MU's Show-Me Opera presents its vocal rendering of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on March 18-19 at Missouri Theatre.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 'Stomp' and much more:

Check out these additional dates, all of which take place at Jesse Auditorium, unless noted.

Dec. 13: Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Prophecy Show

Feb. 10: "The Lightning Thief: TYA Edition"

Feb 19: Wings: Dublin Irish Dance

March 12: "Million Dollar Time Machine"

April 5: "Stomp"

April 16: Glenn Miller Orchestra at Missouri Theatre

May 6: Missoula Children's Theatre: "Aladdin" at Missouri Theatre

View https://concertseries.missouri.edu/ for more information.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. Find him on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: 2022-23 University Concert Series promises music, theater and more