Judd Family Endowed Fund

The Judd Family Endowed Fund award was established in 2008 by the Judd family and the Lyon Foundation to provide Oakland University and the College of Arts and Sciences with the opportunity to sponsor programs in the humanities and arts, a passion of the Judd Family.

2021-22 Judd Family Endowed Fund Awarded Programs 

Classical Cabaret Series: Krysty Swann, mezzo-soprano

Tuesday, September 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Varner Recital Hall
Free admission, but an advance ticket is required – calendar.oakland.edu/smtd/event/2984

Acclaimed mezzo-soprano Krysty Swann has been hailed for her beautiful and rich voice, as well as her captivating presence on stage.

Saxophone Masterclass with Steven Banks

Saturday, September 18 at 2:30 p.m.
Varner Recital Hall
Free admission. RSVP to smtdboxoffice@oakland.edu

The OU Saxophone Studio holds an open masterclass with Steven Banks.

Steven Banks, guest artist saxophone recital

Saturday, September 18 at 8 p.m.
Varner Recital Hall
Free admission, but an advance ticket is required – calendar.oakland.edu/smtd/event/2986

Steven Banks, assistant professor of saxophone at Ithaca College, presents works by Creston, Decruck, and Banks. I-Chen Yeh, piano.

Kevin Locke and Spirits Rising — International Peace Day Concert 

Sunday, September 19 at 4 p.m.
Varner Hall Courtyard Stage
Free admission, but an advance ticket is required – calendar.oakland.edu/smtd/event/2744

Established by a United Nations resolution in 1981, the International Day of Peace provides a “globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.” Celebrate Peace Day, Native American culture and Indigenous knowledge systems at Oakland University with Kevin Locke and Spirits Rising. Kevin Locke (Tokaheya Inajin in Lakota translation “First to Rise”) is a world-famous visionary Hoop Dancer, preeminent player of the Indigenous Northern Plains flute, traditional storyteller, cultural ambassador, recording artist and educator. Spirits Rising is led by the dynamic musical duo of singer/songwriters Alice Sun and Joe Reilly. Drawing on their Native American heritage (Powhatan and Cherokee respectively), their songs include traditional indigenous musical elements as well as notes of jazz, folk, blues, hip-hop and rock. The concert will also include Oakland University faculty members Marion Hayden, Gayelynn McKinney and Mark Stone.

Classical Cabaret Series: Leah Crocetto, soprano

Thursday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Varner Recital Hall
Free admission, but an advance ticket is required – calendar.oakland.edu/smtd/event/2989

American soprano Leah Crocetto continues to astonish audiences with her moving portrayals of opera’s greatest heroines.

Vocal Masterclass with Leah Crocetto, soprano

Friday, October 1 at 10 a.m.
Varner Recital Hall
Free admission. RSVP to smtdboxoffice@oakland.edu

OU voice students perform in an open masterclass with soprano Leah Crocetto.

Aftermath or Awakening: Media & The City After Covid

Tuesday, September 28
Tent located behind Kresge Library

Voices Heard: Dr. Johnetta Brazzell and the Pontiac Oral Histories Project

February 2022

Choral Commissioning Project

Friday, March 25 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 26 at 8 p.m.
University Presbyterian Church

An African American Ballerina Trains the Next Generation of Dancers
Elizabeth Kattner

Seraph Brass Virtual Residency

Friday, February 4
Virtual Event

2020-21 Judd Family Endowed Fund Awarded Programs (postponed events):

Cleopatra Boy
Kerro Knox

Elaine Hagenberg Residency
Melissa Hoag

Women and Gender Studies Poetry Slam
Alison Powell