The Eccles Center for the Performing Arts and other Snow College facilities will host concerts, theatrical productions, improv performances and art exhibitions throughout the month, with offerings designed to appeal to audiences of all ages.

The October schedule includes everything from a family-friendly musical featuring two beloved children’s-book characters to rock bands, jazz, orchestral performances and a Halloween-themed spotlight concert.

The School of Fine Arts will open the month with the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band performing “Timeless Sounds: Classics for Concert Band” on Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Eccles Center Jorgensen Concert Hall.

The concert, conducted by Dr. Christopher Nelson, will feature enduring favorites and celebrated works for concert band. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youth and seniors.

The college’s student improv team will also return throughout the month with “Take a Cete Improv.” Performances are scheduled on select Fridays and Saturdays in the Black Box at the Eccles Center.

The improv team, which was established in 2008, creates unrehearsed sketches based on suggestions from the audience. The performances offer an evening of spontaneous comedy, with admission just $1 at the door.

Family-friendly musical comes to the Eccles Center

One of the month’s featured theatrical productions will be “A Year with Frog and Toad,” directed by Nate Brown.

The musical will be presented Oct. 8-10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Eccles Center Kim Christison Theatre, with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.

Based on Arnold Lobel’s popular children’s books, the production follows the adventures of Frog and Toad, two best friends who experience the changing seasons of a year together.

The story celebrates friendship, kindness and the simple moments that can become lasting memories. With music, humor and familiar characters, the production is intended to be entertaining for both children and adults.

Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for youth and seniors.

Music fills the Eccles Center

Music lovers will have several opportunities to hear Snow College performers throughout October.

The Snow College Choirs will present “High School Hits” on Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jorgensen Concert Hall. Conducted by Dr. Michael Huff, the concert will feature songs commonly performed by high school choirs, offering audiences an opportunity to hear familiar music and revisit some of the sounds associated with their own high school years.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youth and seniors.

On Oct. 22, Snow College’s Rock Bands will take the stage for “Rock Bands Live,” a commercial music dance party beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Eccles Center Larsen Recital Hall.

The event promises a high-energy evening of live rock music with plenty of room for audience members to dance and enjoy the performance. Admission is free, although organizers note that the event is standing room only.

The Snow College Orchestra will join local high school musicians for “String-a-Palooza” on Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jorgensen Concert Hall.

The concert will bring together musicians from Snow College and high school orchestras from Gunnison Valley, Manti, Juab, North Sanpete and Wasatch Academy. Admission is free.

The month will continue with the Jazz Big Band Concert on Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jorgensen Concert Hall.

Led by artist Sarah Morrow, the Snow College Jazz Big Band will perform an evening of jazz ranging from soulful melodies to energetic big-band arrangements.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youth and seniors.

Halloween arrives with “The Music – The Magic”

The School of Fine Arts will close out the month with “The Music – The Magic,” a Spotlight Concert presented by Snow College’s Horne School of Music.

The concert will be held Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jorgensen Concert Hall and will be directed by Brian Stucki.

The Halloween-season performance will combine music and magic and is designed as a family-friendly evening. Costumes are encouraged for those attending.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youth and seniors.

Art on display

The School of Fine Arts schedule also includes several visual art exhibitions during October.

At The Annex in the Eccles Center, “Terminal Abstraction” will be on display Oct. 5-16, followed by the “AFA Candidates Group Exhibition,” scheduled for Oct. 19-30.

The Snow College Art Gallery in the Humanities Building will continue its presentation of “Legacy: Osral Allred & Carl Purcell” through Oct. 16.

The gallery will then feature the “Art + Architecture Faculty Biennial Exhibition,” which opens Oct. 30 and continues through Dec. 18.

The Snow College Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. An opening reception for the Art + Architecture Faculty Biennial Exhibition will be held Friday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Supporting the arts

In addition to providing entertainment and educational opportunities for the community, the School of Fine Arts’ performances also support Snow College students.

A percentage of ticket sales goes toward scholarships for performing arts students, with additional opportunities available for those who would like to make donations specifically to the Horne School of Music, Department of Dance or Department of Theatre.

With concerts, theatre, comedy and visual arts scheduled throughout the month, the October calendar offers a broad look at the range of creative work taking place at Snow College.

For more information about performances, tickets and the latest recital schedule, contact the Snow College Eccles Center for the Performing Arts Box Office at 435-283-7478.

The Eccles Center is located at 300 E. Center St. in Ephraim.