University of Miami notable music alumni to perform at Centennial Celebration

Songwriter-pianist-singer Bruce Hornsby (’77) will perform at the University of Miami’s Centennial Celebration Concert, which is free and open to the public. (Photo by Kat Fisher/courtesy of University of Miami)

The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami boasts some well-recognized names who have graduated or had a close affiliation to the school including Bruce Hornsby, Jon Secada, Ben Folds, and Pat Metheny.

On Tuesday, April 8, the lineup for the university’s Centennial Celebration Concert includes Hornsby (’77) performing “The Way it Is;” Secada (’83 and ’86) performing “Just Another Day;” Folds (received a percussion scholarship) performing “Theme from ‘Dr. Pyser;’” Metheny (became youngest faculty member) performing a medley of “Have You Heard” and “Are You Going With Me.”

Joshua Henry (’06), who played the role of Aaron Burr in the first touring company of “Hamilton” will perform from that show, “The Room Where it Happens,” and Idarose, aka Alexis Idarose Kesselman (’19) performing “Glimpse of Us.”

The multigenerational, award-winning artists will be welcomed to the stage by fellow University of Miami alumnus and television host and producer, Jason Kennedy.

In 1979, Jon Secada graduated from South Florida’s Hialeah High School. He then attended the University of Miami where, in 1983, he received his bachelor’s degree in Music then continued his education earning a Master’s degree in Jazz vocal performance at the university. (Photo courtesy of the artist)

Free and open to the public, the Centennial Celebration Concert will take place at 7 p.m. on the Lakeside Patio at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables Campus.

The Centennial Celebration Concert takes place 100 years from the day the University of Miami signed its charter in 1925 and welcomed its first class of students in the fall of 1926. At the time of its founding, the University of Miami was made up of just two schools, including the Conservatory of Music, which was later renamed the Frost School of Music, and the evening division. Now, 100 years later, the University of Miami includes 12 schools and colleges, serving more than 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 180 majors and programs, and has more than 200,000 alumni with degrees from the highly acclaimed institution.

“From the beginning, music has been integral to the University of Miami’s identity,” said Dean Shelton G. “Shelly” Berg of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami said. “We were there when the University was establishing its reputation, and today, the Frost School of Music continues to exemplify the promise and prestige of a University of Miami education.”

Knight Center for Music Innovation building at the Frost School of Music. The building opened its doors in the fall of 2023. (Photo courtesy of the University Miami)

Also on Saturday, April 8, the Frost School of Music will honor 144 alumni artists, leaders, and visionaries with Frost School Centennial Medals. The first Centennial Medals were presented to more than 21 Frost School alumni at the opening of the state-of-the-art Knight Center for Music Innovation. Previous honorees include Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Lee Levin, Dawnn Lewis, Carmen Lundy, and Jon Secada, among others.

The Centennial Celebration festivities kick off with a Canes Carnival, featuring rides, games, and music on the Foote Green starting at 5 p.m., a Centennial Block Party from 5 to 9 p.m., with food stations along Miller Circle from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Like the Centennial Celebration Concert, the Canes Carnival and Centennial Block Party are free and open to the public.

WHAT:  The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami Centennial Celebration Concert

WHEN:  7 p.m.

WHERE: Lakeside Patio at the University of Miami Student Center Complex, University of Miami, 1330 Miller Drive, Coral Gables

COST: Free

INFORMATION: Complete schedule and information

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