Some of the nation’s most talented musicians will fill university halls this winter. They will produce purposeful sounds that can soothe, groove and move listeners.

Throughout the next nine weeks, the public has a unique opportunity to experience diverse musical genres ranging from jazz to symphonies, to percussion and opera.

One of the highlights will be “Comrades: A Retrospective.” The Jan. 14 performance at the Longaberger Alumni House was created by Patrick Woliver, associate professor of voice and opera. Comrades, “is a classical style of American art songs, a poem set to music, inspired by readings of Walt Whitman, in which every instant the text came first,” Woliver said.

Woliver will be singing tenor while accompanied by guest professors from Whitman College and his wife of 31 years.

Another highlight this season will be the fourth annual Ohio State Contemporary Music Festival 2007, which will be held Jan. 31 to Feb. 4.

Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, events will be at Weigel Auditorium. Feb. 2-3, events will be staged at Ohio Theatre located at 39 E. State St. Feb. 4 will be at Riffe Center’s Capitol Theatre at 77 S. High St. The last three days will feature the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in conjunction with 81-year-old composer Gunther Schuller. If for nothing at all, go for Schuller.

After seeing Schuller, “you will have listened to a very original voice in American music,” said Donald Harris, OSU professor emertus of music, and friend of Schuller.

“Schuller is at the forefront of music for the last 40 to 50 years,” Harris said. He’s won a Grammy, Pulitzer Prize and is one of the world’s greatest authorities on ragtime and jazz. His books on jazz are legendary; he’s played and recorded with the likes of Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. You can’t name an orchestra he hasn’t been involved in.”

March 9-11, Mershon Auditorium will host “Opera: The Elixir of Love” by Gaetano Donizetti and directed by OSU newcomer Peter Kozma. “Hollywood would categorize it best as light romantic comedy. It will be really fun,” Kozma said. The plot revolves around a traveling salesman who comes to town promising his “magical” elixir will cure all sicknesses, but what the audience might learn is that many times the cure is actually inside us all, in our personality and self-esteem.

So show a little support for fellow students and faculty and experience a little culture. Symphonic melodies, jazzy riffs, poetic presentations and raucous rhythms plucked, strummed, breathed, sung and beaten for your approval. For more information see below, check out music.osu.edu, stop by Wiegel Hall, or call 614-292-6571.

Winter Concerts

Student ensemble performances feature many concerts each season that showcase some of OSU’s brightest musicians. The following will be at Weigel Hall unless otherwise noted. Tickets available at the door.**

Feb. 6 Symphonic Band 8 p.m.Feb. 7 Symphony Orchestra 8 p.m.Feb. 13 Wind Symphony 8 p.m.Feb. 16 Jazz Ensemble 8 p.m.Feb. 18 Jazz Lab EnsembleFeb. 28 Gospel and Spiritual Ensemble 8 p.m.March 1 University Band 8 p.m.March 4 University Chorus and mastersingers 3 p.m.March 6 Wind Symphony 8 p.m.March 7 Symphonic Band and Collegiate Winds 8 p.m.Jan. 14Faculty and Guest Recital Series: “Comrades: A Retrospective.” Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road, 3 p.m. Tickets*

A recital for two readers, a singer and pianist that is inspired by the poetry of Walt Whitman.

Jan. 21Faculty Recital Series: Karen Peeler, sopranoWeigel Auditorium, 3 p.m.Tickets*

Peeler and friends will present an evening of songs.

Jan. 25Jewish Music East and West Series: Phillip Silver, piano

Weigel Auditorium, 8 p.m.Free

Thwarted Voices: Music by composers driven into exile or murdered by the Nazis

Feb. 11Guest Recital Series: The Transcontinental Duo

Weigel AuditoriumConcert featuring piano four hands and duo piano covering compositions by Bach, Schubert, Dvirak, Barber and Ravel.

Feb. 12Faculty Recital Series: James Hill, saxophone Weigel Auditorium, 8 p.m. Tickets*

Feb. 19Faculty Recital Series: Kia-Hui Tan, violin

Weigel Auditorium, 8 p.m. Tickets*

Feb. 23-24Drums Downtown IV

Riffe Center’s Capitol Theatre, 77 S. High St.

OSU Percussion Ensemble collaborates with the OSU Department of Dance to perform a high energy stomping good time

Tickets – Riffe Center: $17 general admission; $12 students and seniors. Also available through CAPA at 614-469-0939 or

Ticketmaster at 614-431-3600

March 9-10 at 8 p.m., March 11 at 3 p.m.Opera: The Elixir of Love (L’elisir d’amore), by Gaetano Donizetti

Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St.

* Tickets at the door. $10 general admission, OSU faculty and staff. Alumni Association; $5 seniors, students with ID; free for OSU School of Music faculty, staff, students with ID. More information call 614-292-0789 weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

** Tickets at the door; $5 general public, senior citizens, OSU faculty, staff, students; free for OSU School of Music faculty, staff, students with ID.