Calendar of Events

Fantasy & Folklore
2026-03-27 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Performance Hall — Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
This wide-ranging program brings together composers from across the globe, offering a rich mix of styles, sounds, and traditions. Romantic elegance meets modern boldness. Intimate moments sit beside dramatic flair.
You’ll hear the lush lyricism of Edvard Grieg and the playful, folk-inspired writing of Lukas Foss. Margaret Sutherland’s Nocturne offers a quiet, reflective beauty, while Fazıl Say’s Black Earth is earthy, intense, and deeply expressive. Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Fantasy for Solo Violin is daring and virtuosic. And in Chen Yi’s From Old Peking Folklore, traditional Chinese melodies come alive with color and energy.
This is a concert about connection—across cultures, through time, and between performer and listener.
Program
Sonata No. 3 | Edvard Grieg
Three American Pieces | Lukas Foss
Nocturne | Margaret Sutherland
Black Earth | Fazil Say
Fantasy for Solo Violin | Ellen Taaffe Zwilich
From Old Peking Folklore | Chen Yi
Performers
Robert Lehmann, violin
Chiharu Naruse, piano

Tickets go on-sale September 5th.
Tickets available through PortTIX, the official box office for the Osher School of Music.
PHONE 207-842-0800
ONLINE www.porttix.com
IN-PERSON 400 Congress St Suite A, Portland, ME 04101

Event Details
Parking
Due to limited resources, parking is not free on our Portland and Gorham campuses. You must purchase a parking permit or paid parking session to park on campus. We recommend reserving your parking in advance at https://events.parkengage.com/usm.
For easy access to the Crewe Center for the Arts, choose either Parking Garage 1 (attached to the Abromson Community Education Center), Lot P1 (off of Bedford St. by Luther Bonney) or Lot P6 (off of Exeter St. or Deering Ave by the former Maine Law building).
Disability Access and Accommodations
If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Hanna Flewelling at (207) 780-5256 or hanna.flewelling@maine.edu. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

Subscribe to our patron newsletter to stay up-to-date on all Osher School of Music events.
Join the Osher School of Music as a volunteer usher.

WORKSHOP: Pop-Up Puppet Theater with Sarah Frechette
2026-03-28 09:00 - 16:00 | Book Arts Studio — Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Pop-Up Puppet Theater—Fold, Pull, Pop & Perform with Sarah Frechette
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 9 AM – 4 PM (with an hour lunch break; please bring your own lunch or available to purchase at the USM Cafeteria)
Location: KCC’83CBA Book Arts Studio, Studio160, Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St. Portland, ME 04103
Workshop Fee: $80 (price includes materials and one ticket to Sarah Frechette’s performance at Mayo Street Arts on Friday, 3/27)
Maximum Enrollment: 15 (middle school ages and Above)

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP:
In this full-day workshop, participants will learn how to incorporate various mechanisms and rigging points into paper pop-ups to turn them into animatable or puppeteer-able, hand-held (also known as: direct contact), and/or table-top puppets.
Instructor, Sarah Frechette, will also demonstrate how to direct intention, concentration, and energy from within oneself, down the arms, into the hands, and through a paper puppet to give it its own independent focus and breath – the two elements that give any object life.
Participants will experiment with one of the following: immersive experience, forced perspective, or symbolism—to recreate a moment in the form of a short story, knowing that each of these provides different information that shapes and directly influences how their story or memory unfolds.
Finally, participants will present their projects to each other. For some, this will be a new challenge and like stepping outside their comfort zone; however, everyone should feel supported during this brave step so it feels both personally and creatively fulfilling, as well as productive. Each artist needs to gather information individually to continue developing their puppet pieces and to feel empowered outside the classroom.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Sarah Frechette is an award winning puppetry artist, teaching artist and stop-motion animation fabricator. As art director for PuppetKabob, she produces original programs, tours internationally and received the prestigious UNIMA-USA citation of excellence for her Vermont based solo show “The Snowflake Man”. Sarah is also a Vermont Arts Council Teaching Artist creating unique theater experiences for all ages.
Studied from 2002 to 2009 with Legendary German Puppeteer Albrecht Roser absorbing his theories on zen and the art of puppetry. Sarah has exhibited at the Shelburne Museum and is currently on exhibit at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry. Co-producer and host of Vermont’s first and phinest Creemee Dreemee Puppet Slam which swirls forth the underground to the avant-garde. In addition to her personal puppet practice Sarah has worked in stop-motion animation building miniature costumes and large-scale puppets for such films as LAIKA’s “ParaNorman”, and Netflix’s “Wendell & Wild”.
Sarah has been Guest Artist at the University of Connecticut, MECCA+D, Willamette University; and has led the Marionette Performance strand at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center National Puppetry Conference.

PARKING DETAILS:
Parking is available in our University of Southern Maine Portland Garages 1 and 2, or in Parking Lot P6, at a rate of $4.15 per hour. You may reserve your parking ahead of time via the USM Parking Interface. Additionally, the Portland METRO Husky Bus and the METRO #4 pickup/drop-off about a three-minute walk from the Crewe Center for the Arts. An updated bus schedule can be found on the METRO website and bus fair is $2 each way.

Student Recital Series: Chris Caliskan & Eyezaya Mcfetridge
2026-03-28 16:00 - 17:00 | Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
The Osher School of Music is pleased to present Chris Caliskan and Eyezaya Mcfetridge in their senior classical performance recital. Chris is the student of Aaron Henry and Christopher Forbes. Eyezaya is the student of Chris Oberholtzer and Brian Diehl.
Student recitals are free and open to the public.

Event Details
Parking
Due to limited resources, parking is not free on our Portland and Gorham campuses. You must purchase a parking permit or paid parking session to park on campus. We recommend reserving your parking in advance at https://events.parkengage.com/usm.
For easy access to the Crewe Center for the Arts, choose either Parking Garage 1 (attached to the Abromson Community Education Center), Lot P1 (off of Bedford St. by Luther Bonney) or Lot P6 (off of Exeter St. or Deering Ave by the former Maine Law building).
Reserve Your Parking

Disability Access and Accommodations
If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Hanna Flewelling at (207) 780-5256 or hanna.flewelling@maine.edu. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

Subscribe to our patron newsletter to stay up-to-date on all Osher School of Music events.
Join the Osher School of Music as a volunteer usher.

Coffee and Crosswords
2026-03-31 09:00 - 09:30, 2026-04-07 09:00 - 09:30, 2026-04-14 09:00 - 09:30, 2026-04-21 09:00 - 09:30 | ME
Calling all puzzle fans! Start your Tuesdays off right with the New York Times Mini Crossword (and share your time, if you’re the competitive type) online or on our Portland campus. Sudoku fans also welcome! Coffee, while not provided virtually, is highly encouraged.

Employer On-Campus Visits
2026-03-31 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-02 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-07 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-09 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-14 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-16 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-21 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-23 11:00 - 14:00 | McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success, 35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Network with local employers without having to leave campus! Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on the first floor of the McGoldrick Center on the Portland campus, various employers will be on campus to talk about their work and answer any questions.

Student Recital Series: Ziggy Merrill
2026-03-31 19:30 - 20:30 | Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
The Osher School of Music is pleased to present Ziggy Merrill in their senior composition recital. Ziggy is the student of Hans Indigo Spencer.
Student recitals are free and open to the public.

Event Details
Parking
Due to limited resources, parking is not free on our Portland and Gorham campuses. You must purchase a parking permit or paid parking session to park on campus. We recommend reserving your parking in advance at https://events.parkengage.com/usm.
For easy access to the Crewe Center for the Arts, choose either Parking Garage 1 (attached to the Abromson Community Education Center), Lot P1 (off of Bedford St. by Luther Bonney) or Lot P6 (off of Exeter St. or Deering Ave by the former Maine Law building).
Reserve Your Parking

Disability Access and Accommodations
If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Hanna Flewelling at (207) 780-5256 or hanna.flewelling@maine.edu. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

Subscribe to our patron newsletter to stay up-to-date on all Osher School of Music events.
Join the Osher School of Music as a volunteer usher.

Cabaret
2026-04-02 19:00 - 21:30, 2026-04-03 19:00 - 21:30, 2026-04-04 19:00 - 21:30, 2026-04-08 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-04-09 19:00 - 21:30, 2026-04-10 19:00 - 21:30, 2026-04-11 19:00 - 21:30, 2026-04-12 14:00 - 16:30 | Russell Hall, 24 University Way, Gorham, ME, 04038, United States
Cabaret
Presented in collaboration with the Osher School of Music
Based on the play by John Van Druten and Stories by Christopher Isherwood
Book by Joe Masteroff, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Directed by Danny Hutchins
Musical Direction by Edward Reichert
Choreography by Vanessa Beyland
April 2-12, 2026
In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates. Daring, provocative, and exuberantly entertaining, Cabaret explores essential and timely themes as the audience watches the joyful and beautiful world of Bohemian Berlin slowly yield to the emerging Third Reich.
Show length: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Best for grades 6 and up.
Content Advisory: Cabaret explores sensitive themes, including anti-Semitism, Nazi-ism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, abortion, and sexual content. This production includes depictions of domestic violence, physical violence, and Nazi and Holocaust imagery.

Student Recital Series: Jacob Miller
2026-04-02 19:30 - 20:30 | Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
The Osher School of Music is pleased to present Jacob Miller in his senior composition recital. Jacob is the student of Hans Indigo Spencer and Mary Bastoni.
Student recitals are free and open to the public.

Event Details
Parking
Due to limited resources, parking is not free on our Portland and Gorham campuses. You must purchase a parking permit or paid parking session to park on campus. We recommend reserving your parking in advance at https://events.parkengage.com/usm.
For easy access to the Crewe Center for the Arts, choose either Parking Garage 1 (attached to the Abromson Community Education Center), Lot P1 (off of Bedford St. by Luther Bonney) or Lot P6 (off of Exeter St. or Deering Ave by the former Maine Law building).
Reserve Your Parking

Disability Access and Accommodations
If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Hanna Flewelling at (207) 780-5256 or hanna.flewelling@maine.edu. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

Subscribe to our patron newsletter to stay up-to-date on all Osher School of Music events.
Join the Osher School of Music as a volunteer usher.

High Wire: Henry Plays Holland
2026-04-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Performance Hall — Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Get ready for a high-energy night of jazz that grooves hard, takes risks, and keeps you on your toes. Saxophonist and USM faculty artist Aaron Henry dives into the music of Dave Holland, one of the most influential jazz bandleaders and bassists of the past 30 years.
This concert features music from Holland’s legendary quintet—known for wild time signatures, catchy and unexpected melodies, and next-level group chemistry. Originally featuring some of the biggest names in modern jazz (like Chris Potter and Robin Eubanks), the Holland Quintet pushed the limits of rhythm and improvisation.
For Henry, Holland’s music has been a foundational influence. This concert is both tribute and transformation with a fresh and fearless approach to his works.
Program
Prime Directive
Metamorphosis
High Wire
Looking up
What goes around
Lost and Found
Claressence

Ario
Make Believe

Performers
Aaron Henry, saxophone
Chris Oberholtzer, trombone
RJ Miller, drums
Bronek Suchanek, bass
Chris Humphrey, piano

Tickets go on-sale September 5th.
Tickets available through PortTIX, the official box office for the Osher School of Music.
PHONE 207-842-0800
ONLINE www.porttix.com
IN-PERSON 400 Congress St Suite A, Portland, ME 04101

Event Details
Parking
Due to limited resources, parking is not free on our Portland and Gorham campuses. You must purchase a parking permit or paid parking session to park on campus. We recommend reserving your parking in advance at https://events.parkengage.com/usm.
For easy access to the Crewe Center for the Arts, choose either Parking Garage 1 (attached to the Abromson Community Education Center), Lot P1 (off of Bedford St. by Luther Bonney) or Lot P6 (off of Exeter St. or Deering Ave by the former Maine Law building).
Disability Access and Accommodations
If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Hanna Flewelling at (207) 780-5256 or hanna.flewelling@maine.edu. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

Subscribe to our patron newsletter to stay up-to-date on all Osher School of Music events.
Join the Osher School of Music as a volunteer usher.

2026 Annual Book Arts Bazaar
2026-04-11 10:00 - 16:00 | McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success, 35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join us for the 2026 Annual Book Arts Bazaar, a vibrant community celebration dedicated to the fine craft of book arts. This unique gathering showcases the talents of regional book artists, papermakers, bookbinders, printmakers, educators, and writers, all coming together to share their passion for contemporary book arts.

Visitors have the opportunity to explore a diverse array of handmade books, artisan paper products, and unique prints, making it the perfect place to find thoughtful gifts, spark creativity, and engage in meaningful conversations about the rich traditions and innovations within the field. Whether you are a seasoned artist, an aspiring creator, there’s something for everyone at the Bazaar.

Proudly presented by the Kate Cheney Chappell ‘83 Center for Book Arts at the University of Southern Maine, this event invites the public to connect with artists and learn about the techniques that keep these cherished traditions alive. Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in the artistry of books and meet the people who make it happen!

What: 2026 Book Arts BazaarWhen: Saturday April 11, 2026 | 10am – 4pmWhere: McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success35 Bedford St. (2nd Floor) Portland, ME 04101Cost: FREE

Event Details
Parking is available in our University of Southern Maine Portland Garages 1 and 2 at a rate of $4.15 per hour. You may reserve your parking ahead of time via the USM Parking Interface. Additionally, the Portland METRO Husky Bus and the METRO #4 pickup/drop-off directly in front of the Crewe Center Deering Avenue entrance. An updated bus schedule can be found on the METRO website and bus fair is $2 each way.

Osher Vocal Jazz Ensembles
2026-04-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Performance Hall — Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join the Osher School of Music’s Vocal Jazz Ensembles for an unforgettable evening of smooth harmonies, infectious grooves, and vocal flair. Under the direction of Amanda Roswick, these dynamic ensembles bring fresh energy to jazz standards, reimagined pop favorites, and contemporary vocal arrangements.
From the swing era to The Beatles and beyond, experience a vibrant mix of styles that’s sure to have you tapping your toes.

Tickets go on-sale September 5th.
Tickets available through PortTIX, the official box office for the Osher School of Music.
PHONE 207-842-0800
ONLINE www.porttix.com
IN-PERSON 400 Congress St Suite A, Portland, ME 04101

Event Details
Parking
Due to limited resources, parking is not free on our Portland and Gorham campuses. You must purchase a parking permit or paid parking session to park on campus. We recommend reserving your parking in advance at https://events.parkengage.com/usm.
For easy access to the Crewe Center for the Arts, choose either Parking Garage 1 (attached to the Abromson Community Education Center), Lot P1 (off of Bedford St. by Luther Bonney) or Lot P6 (off of Exeter St. or Deering Ave by the former Maine Law building).
Disability Access and Accommodations
If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Hanna Flewelling at (207) 780-5256 or hanna.flewelling@maine.edu. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

Subscribe to our patron newsletter to stay up-to-date on all Osher School of Music events.
Join the Osher School of Music as a volunteer usher.

Rising Stars
2026-04-18 19:00 - 21:00 | McCormack Performing Arts Center — Gorham High School, 41 Morrill Avenue, Gorham, ME, 04038, United States
The Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra returns to the stage with a dynamic program highlighting collaboration, celebration, and rising talent. In a special feature, the orchestra joins the University Chorale and Osher Chamber Singers for a powerful performance that brings instrumental and vocal forces together for one unforgettable work.
The concert also showcases the winners of the Osher School of Music Concerto Competition—exceptional student soloists performing with full orchestra, representing the next generation of musical artistry and excellence.

Tickets go on-sale September 5th.
Tickets available through PortTIX, the official box office for the Osher School of Music.
PHONE 207-842-0800
ONLINE www.porttix.com
IN-PERSON 400 Congress St Suite A, Portland, ME 04101

Disability Access and Accommodations
If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Hanna Flewelling at (207) 780-5256 or hanna.flewelling@maine.edu. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

Subscribe to our patron newsletter to stay up-to-date on all Osher School of Music events.
Join the Osher School of Music as a volunteer usher.

Osher Jazz Ensemble
2026-04-23 19:00 - 20:15 | Performance Hall — Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Get ready for a high-energy evening of bold brass, tight grooves, and swinging rhythms as the Osher Jazz Ensemble takes the stage. Directed by Dr. Chris Oberholtzer, this dynamic big band explores an eclectic mix of jazz repertoire—from timeless standards to contemporary charts.

Tickets go on-sale September 5th.
Tickets available through PortTIX, the official box office for the Osher School of Music.
PHONE 207-842-0800
ONLINE www.porttix.com
IN-PERSON 400 Congress St Suite A, Portland, ME 04101

Event Details
Parking
Due to limited resources, parking is not free on our Portland and Gorham campuses. You must purchase a parking permit or paid parking session to park on campus. We recommend reserving your parking in advance at https://events.parkengage.com/usm.
For easy access to the Crewe Center for the Arts, choose either Parking Garage 1 (attached to the Abromson Community Education Center), Lot P1 (off of Bedford St. by Luther Bonney) or Lot P6 (off of Exeter St. or Deering Ave by the former Maine Law building).
Disability Access and Accommodations
If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Hanna Flewelling at (207) 780-5256 or hanna.flewelling@maine.edu. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

Subscribe to our patron newsletter to stay up-to-date on all Osher School of Music events.
Join the Osher School of Music as a volunteer usher.
