UTSA to celebrate 50 years of art and music at the Tobin Center

FEBRUARY 24, 2025 — UTSA will commemorate 50 years of excellence in the arts with a special anniversary concert celebrating the legacy of its School of Art and its School of Music. This milestone event will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, bringing together musicians, dancers, visual artists and spoken word performers for an evening of creativity and collaboration.

This 50th Anniversary Concert will feature a seamless integration of music, movement and visual art, creating a truly immersive experience. Audiences will witness the harmonies of the UTSA Orchestra and Choirs, the energy of the Spirit of San Antonio (SOSA) and the rhythms of Mariachi Los Paisanos. The concert will also feature the UTSA Lyric Theatre and the UTSA Wind Symphony.

At the same time, the UTSA School of Art will be represented through a faculty exhibition that is currently on display in the Tobin Center’s gallery, titled “Here: Now/ Future,” videos of student work on the center’s digital monitors, a projection reel highlighting School of Art efforts such as the collaboration between Chris Sauter and Jourdan Boyd last fall, and projected artworks during the evening concert.

“This is a truly monumental event for UTSA and the arts community. We have never brought together so many of our incredible ensembles in one performance, and the energy and talent on stage will be something to remember,” shared Ron Ellis, SOSA director. “This concert will be a rare opportunity to experience the full range of what both schools have built over the past 50 years. It’s exciting to see so many musicians and artists come together for this celebration.”

Tracy Cowden, director of the School of Music, added, “This is a unique opportunity, a snapshot in time featuring our current students in wonderful performances and celebrating all that has brought us to this moment. We invite all of San Antonio to come celebrate with us and experience the talent, passion and dedication of our students as we honor 50 years of artistic excellence and community spirit.”

For 50 years, UTSA’s School of Art and School of Music have helped shape the artistic and cultural landscape of San Antonio and beyond, producing artists, musicians, educators and scholars who have made a lasting impact. Together, the two schools have awarded more than 2,500 degrees, with graduates pursuing careers as professional artists, performers, educators and industry leaders. Faculty members across both schools continue to advance creative expression, blending innovation with tradition to shape the next generation of artists and musicians.

As both schools celebrate this milestone, the School of Art and School of Music reflect on five decades of artistic achievement and education while looking toward the future. With a continued focus on creative excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration, both schools remain dedicated to preparing the next generation of artists and musicians. The 50th anniversary concert at the Tobin Center will bring together these disciplines in a powerful celebration of their shared history, showcasing the talent, creativity and vision that define UTSA’s fine arts programs.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for pre-show activities.

— Nick Ward