Dear alumni and friends,
What’s nearly as ubiquitous as cardinal and gold on campus? The Department of Music and Theatre is woven into the fabric of Iowa State University.
The soundtrack to Iowa State’s academic year always begins with our bands. When you hear the marching band rehearse on campus in late summer, it’s the nostalgic cue that the fall semester is around the corner. The band also welcomes our newest Cyclones in August with a performance during Destination Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum.
Throughout the year, our students and faculty uplift and support special university events and milestones. For example, in the last year, we’ve performed at the Cardinal and Gold Gala (DJ Johnny & the BPM, Cyclone Marching Band), the Order of the Knoll Awards (Brad Dell, Cantamus, Mike Giles, Tin-Shi Tam), the 100th anniversary of Parks Library (Iowa Statesmen), and the LAS Alumni Awards (Count Me In). We were also delighted to welcome Iowa State President Dr. David Cook and his wife Dr. Katie Cook to an Iowa Statesmen concert on their official first day on campus.
Our creative collaborations also uplift art, culture, and the environment across campus. This year, our faculty crafted several unique offerings that blended music and campus beauty. Our voice studio performed “The Loveliest of Trees” concert, inspired by Iowa State’s lush tree canopy; ISU Opera Studio partnered with University Museums on a concert of operatic selections inspired by campus artwork; and Michael Golemo and the ISU Wind Ensemble premiered Golemo’s colorful three-movement concerto commissioned by University Museums to highlight “Hive Mind,” a new campus sculpture.
This year, we produced the international Puppet Power Conference hosted at the Student Innovation Center, Friday Soiree performances in the Memorial Union’s Maintenance Shop, and Monday Monologues at Parks Library where ISU Theatre performed scenes from “Julius Caesar” on the classically styled steps of the Grant Woods Mural Lobby. And we continued our passion for community outreach by welcoming high school students to campus for special matinee performances, including a sellout for ISU Theatre’s “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
In May, when the academic year ends, our brass bands conclude the campus soundtrack by celebrating Iowa State’s newest graduates at university commencement. From the “Bells of Iowa State” to the Iowa State fight song, I’m so proud of our students, faculty, and staff for creating a soundscape and stage for Cyclone pride all year long. What a joy and an honor.
With gratitude and care,
Brad Dell
Snapshots from our 2025-26 Season
150 music and theatre events
24,986 attendees
6,859 livestream viewers