Illinois College announces 47th season of Fine Arts Series

The 2026-2027 Fine Arts Series brings nationally and internationally recognized performers to Jacksonville for a season of jazz, vocal music, storytelling, early music and more.

Illinois College will celebrate the 47th season of its Fine Arts Series with a diverse lineup of performances featuring nationally and internationally recognized artists, family-friendly programming and the return of the admission-free Engelbach-Hart Music Festival.

The season opens Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Rammelkamp Chapel with Stella Cole, a central Illinois native and rising vocal star known for her interpretations of the Great American Songbook. Now based in New York City, Cole brings a fresh approach to classic standards through expressive storytelling and a style that combines the traditions of jazz and popular song.

Before the opening concert, guests are invited to celebrate the start of the season with cookies on the quad in front of Rammelkamp Chapel beginning at 6 p.m.

The Fine Arts Series' popular Family Night Series returns Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 6:30 p.m. with Tales at Twilight on the Historic Upper Quad. Jacksonville musician and storyteller Mike Anderson '74 will be joined by St. Louis storytellers Sherry and Bobby Norfolk for an evening of spooky seasonal tales. Audience members will rotate between three campus locations to hear each storyteller. Adult admission for the family program is $5, while students and children are admitted free.

The Engelbach-Hart Music Festival returns Nov. 6-8 with three concerts offered free to the community. CreArtBox, a New York-based chamber music and multimedia ensemble, will open the festival Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. The ensemble combines classical and contemporary repertoire with visual art, stage design and spatial storytelling to create immersive concert experiences.

The festival continues Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. with the annual Illinois College Faculty Collage Concert, showcasing the talents of IC music faculty. The weekend concludes Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. with The Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project, featuring Afro-Cuban rhythms, improvisation and Latin jazz.

The Fine Arts Series continues in the spring semester with the return of Istanpitta on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m. The early music ensemble performs Medieval and early Renaissance repertoire on historically informed instruments, including vielle, recorder, lute, harp and hand percussion.

On Friday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., internationally acclaimed organist David Jonies will perform in Rammelkamp Chapel. Jonies serves as director of music and organist at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago and has performed at cathedrals, concert halls and festivals throughout Europe, Asia and North America.

The season continues Saturday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. with ~Nois Saxophone Quartet, one of the country's premier contemporary saxophone ensembles. The program will feature a range of works written for the ensemble as well as the world premiere of a new piece by Illinois College Professor Emeritus of Music Timothy Kramer.

The 47th season concludes Sunday, April 4, at 4 p.m. with Lyyra, an all-women vocal ensemble from The VOCES8 Foundation. The ensemble performs music spanning centuries and traditions, from choral works and folk-inspired repertoire to contemporary compositions and new arrangements.

Adult season tickets are available for $70, a $35 savings over purchasing tickets individually. Adult tickets to individual concerts are $20, except for Tales at Twilight, when adult admission is $5. Students of all ages and children are admitted free of charge to all Fine Arts Series concerts.

For more information, to purchase season or individual tickets, or to make a donation to support the Fine Arts Series, contact Jennifer Phebus '07 at 217.245.3192 or [email protected]. Additional information is available at ic.edu/fas.

Fine Arts Series 2026-27 Season Calendar

Stella Cole
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 :: 7:30 p.m. :: Rammelkamp Chapel

Tales at Twilight | Family Night Series
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 :: 6:30 p.m. :: Historic Upper Quad

Engelbach-Hart Music Festival | Free admission
CreArtBox :: Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 :: 7:30 p.m.
Faculty Collage Concert :: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 :: 7:30 p.m.
The Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project :: Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 :: 3 p.m.

Istanpitta
Saturday, Jan. 30, 2027 :: 7:30 p.m.

David Jonies
Friday, Feb. 19, 2027 :: 7:30 p.m.

~Nois Saxophone Quartet
Saturday, March 20, 2027 :: 7:30 p.m.

Lyyra
Sunday, April 4, 2027 :: 4 p.m.