U of M’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance celebrated their 40th anniversary at the annual Collage Concert. Not only that, but they also celebrated the University of Michigan’s Bicentennial and the legacy of Professor Emeritus of Conducting Gustav Meier, who founded Collage in 1977.
The concert started with welcome speeches by Dean and Paul Boylan Collegiate Professor of Music, Aaron P. Dworkin, and Director of University Orchestras, Kenneth Kiesler. Then tribute was paid to the Bicentennial by performing multiple pieces from the year 1817.
Following the celebration of the Bicentennial, the showcases of the different ensembles, theatre groups, dances, etc. began. I finally understood why multiple people told me that I had to see this concert. The talent was phenomenal and it was interesting to see the many different groups within SMTD. Following the intermission, former Dean & Professor Emeritus, Paul Boylan, honored the legacy of Gustav Meier. The second half was just as thrilling, if not more, than the first! Recognizable tunes were played/sung such as “Also Sprach Zarathustra”, “Defying Gravity, and “Let it Go”.
If you ever want to find out what the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance does and what it is made up of, this is the concert to be at! Definitely one of the best concerts that I’ve been to at the University of Michigan.
