Have you ever dreamed of rocketing into space or being an astronaut in Earth’s orbit? Explore these fascinating journeys and beyond with NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg in this fun Planetarium show for all ages.Public stargazing will follow evening shows, weather permitting.$2 donation suggested for all planetarium shows.

Moderated by Dr. Cortland Rankin, Associate Professor, BGSU Department of Theatre and FilmFilmmaker Nick Corbin screens his documentaries about his hometown of Toledo and discusses topics ranging from local independent filmmaking to his recent work for Netflix and Amazon.

The Symphonic Band will present a concert. This event is free and open to the public.LIVESTREAM LINKPROGRAMThank you for making this performance part of your evening. For detailed program notes and a list of performers, continue to scroll down.Percussion Ensemble: Dan Piccolo and Jonathan Ovalle, directorsChromatic Foxtrot | George Hamilton Green (1893-1970), arr. Roger Schupp Evan McCord, xylophone; Jude Crawford, Matthew Graves, Ian Holdridge, and Vic McPheron, marimbasValse Brilliante | George Hamilton Green, arr. Bob Becker Liam Lockhart, xylophone; Joshua Boyd, Zachary Hallam, Matthew Graves, and Brooke Guyton, marimbasSymphonic Band:Combination March (1896) | Scott Joplin (1868-1917); arr. G SchuellerThree Negro Dances (1933) | Florence Price (1887-1953)Log Cabin Blues (1924) | George Hamilton Green Dr. Dan Piccolo, xylophoneSuite of Old American Dances (1949) | Robert Russell Bennett (1894-1981) I. Cake Walk II. Schottische III. Western One-Step IV. Wallflower Waltz V. RagPROGRAM NOTESBefore he became known as the “King of Ragtime,” Scott Joplin was already establishing his musical voice through works like Combination March. Written in 1896 as a solo piano piece it is one of Joplin’s earliest known published works. This piece predates Joplin’s ragtime masterpieces such as Maple Leaf Rag (1899), but certainly displays the rhythmic energy and structural clarity that would become his hallmark.As the title might suggest, Combination March fuses the traditional march form—popularized by John Philip Sousa—with elements of African American syncopation and dance rhythms. The piece follows a typical multi-strain structure common in marches, but with hints of the ragtime style Joplin would soon help define. While not as widely performed as Joplin’s later works, Combination March is a valuable glimpse into the early development of ragtime and Joplin’s compositional evolution. It bridges the gap between the military march and the emerging syncopated styles of the African American musical tradition, laying the groundwork for one of America’s most distinctive musical genres. The setting for wind band performed tonight was arranged by Gunther Schuller, who is perhaps best known for his work as a composer and advocate of what he termed the "Third Stream" — a synthesis of classical music and jazz.Florence Price was born in Little Rock, AR in 1887 and enrolled in the New England Conservatory at the age of 15 where she studied composition and counterpoint. Upon returning to Arkansas, racial issues required a move to Chicago to continue her career where she became part of the Black Renaissance. Having won the Wanamaker Award in 1933 for her Symphony No.1 she became the first African American woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra – the Chicago Symphony. Price was a groundbreaking composer who blended Western classical traditions with the rhythms, melodies, and spirituals of African American heritage. Composed in 1933, Three Negro Dances showcases her deep commitment to integrating Black musical idioms into concert music in a way that is both sophisticated and deeply rooted in African American culture.Each of the three movements draws from vernacular Black dance and musical traditions, notably the cakewalk, juba, and slow drag — popular 19th- and early 20th-century African American social dances. Price's original orchestration vividly brings these styles to life, with rhythmic vitality, syncopation, and melodic inventiveness that echo both spirituals and ragtime. The work is both celebratory and poignant, reflecting the complexities of Black cultural expression during a time of racial segregation and limited opportunity for Black composers. This transcription for wind band was done by Erik Leidzen, one of the prolific arrangers of wind band music in the early and mid- 2oth century.George Hamilton Green was one of the early 20th century’s most celebrated xylophonists and a pioneering figure in American percussion music. Composed in 1916, Log Cabin Blues is one of his most famous and enduring works — a showcase of both technical brilliance and early American popular musical style.Written for xylophone with piano or ensemble accompaniment, Log Cabin Blues is a classic example of ragtime-influenced novelty music, blending the rhythmic vitality of the blues with the playful syncopations of ragtime. The piece exemplifies Green’s virtuosic xylophone style, featuring rapid rolls, intricate melodic runs, and a buoyant, dance-like feel that delighted vaudeville audiences of the time.Beyond its entertainment value, Log Cabin Blues has become a staple in the xylophone and percussion repertoire, often performed in recitals and as an encore piece. It reflects a uniquely American musical voice — one rooted in popular idioms yet elevated by the precision and flair of a virtuoso performer-composer.Green’s contributions to percussion music extended far beyond performance; he also helped develop mallet technique and instruments still in use today. Log Cabin Blues remains a lively reminder of his legacy and the golden age of xylophone novelty music.Tonight’s soloist is Dr. Dan Piccolo, Associate Professor of Percussion in the College of Musical Arts. Dr. Piccolo regularly performs and teaches in a wide range of musical settings. He is currently active primarily as a chamber musician, soloist, and jazz drummer, and is Associate Professor of Percussion in Bowling Green State University’s College of Musical Arts.Dan holds both a DMA and BM in Percussion Performance from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and during his master’s studies in U of M’s Jazz Department he focused on improvisation. He has studied concert percussion with Michael Udow, Salvatore Rabbio, Joseph Gramley and Jonathan Ovalle, among others, and his drum set and improvisation teachers have included Michael Gould, Steve Curry, and Ed Sarath. Dan is also skilled in several global music traditions, having studied frame drumming with Jamey Haddad and tabla with Pandit Kuber Nath Mishra in multiple visits to Varanasi, India.Dr. Piccolo has appeared as a soloist with groups including the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and the University of Michigan Percussion Ensemble, and as a guest artist at colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. As a chamber musician he has enjoyed collaborations with notable artists including Third Coast Percussion, composer/pianist Harold Budd, percussionists Ji Hye Jung and Joseph Gramley, the arx duo, pianist Sonya Belaya, and the Detroit Chamber Winds. Dan also remains active as a jazz drummer, working with musicians such as John Scofield, Regina Carter, Mike Stern, and Stanley Cowell. For six years Dan was the drummer with Nomo, with whom he toured internationally and recorded three albums for Ubiquity Records. Dan has also toured and recorded as a member of Cloud Nine Music, The Ragbirds, His Name is Alive, and others. Dan continues to perform regularly with symphony orchestras, rock bands, Indian classical music ensembles, jazz groups, and in various chamber music configurations. This busy performance schedule has earned him invitations to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention and the annual conference of the International Society for Improvised Music.Robert Russell Bennett was one of the most influential American musical figures of the 20th century — not only as a composer, but perhaps even more famously as a master orchestrator for Broadway and Hollywood. He brought the sound of American musical theater to life, shaping the orchestrations of many of the most iconic shows in history.Bennett’s orchestrations defined the golden age of Broadway. He collaborated with nearly every major composer of his time, including George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Lerner and Loewe, and especially Rodgers and Hammerstein. His orchestrations for shows such as Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, and Show Boat were instrumental in creating the lush, dynamic sound that characterized mid-century American theater.Amidst this theatrical success, Bennett composed Suite of Old American Dances in 1949 — a tribute to the popular social dances of his youth and a celebration of America’s musical heritage. Inspired by a Central Park concert by the Goldman Band, the suite was written specifically for concert band and premiered by that ensemble under Edwin Franko Goldman in 1950.The suite contains five movements:Cake Walk – A jaunty, syncopated dance with roots in African American traditions.Schottische – A bouncy partner dance, popular in 19th-century ballrooms.Western One-Step – A fast, energetic dance recalling early jazz and ragtime.Wallflower Waltz – A tender, nostalgic movement evoking small-town dance halls.Rag – A lively, rhythmically intricate finale full of ragtime flair.Through these dances, Bennett combines his Broadway-honed skill in orchestration with a deep affection for early American popular music. The result is a work that is at once technically brilliant, emotionally resonant, and quintessentially American.BGSU SYMPHONIC BAND PERSONNELFlute Alyssa Branon Libby Dotterer Elijah Ondrish Jacob Egts Johnathan Robinson Amanda Reed Jenna Schumaker, PiccoloOboe Grace Russell Quentin O’Brien Luke Bass, English HornBassoon Corbin Johns Eleanor Margraf Lorelei Wilkerson Audrey BensonClarinet Ryan Kramer Andrew Sowders, E-flat Morgan Thompson Maelee Zerkle Cee Costello Chris Boyes Jarod Reid Brynlea Houser Reagan Fairbanks Jaydyn Occhoa Curtis GrahamBass Clarinet Elliot BentleySaxophone James Stickler Conor Lynch Mitchell Daniel Charli Carroll Alex Dale Ryan WilliamsHorn Emma Clement Patrick Scully Krystina Rodkey Rowen Raynes Ash Behn Micky McMahon Ella JobeTrumpet Jack Mantonya, Co-principal Eliana Peron, Co-principal Lucas Vile Bingcheng Li Alex Preston Jonathan Perez Blanco Evan Picchioni Evan Frank Courtney WoerleinTrombone Connor Kirkner Sky Spiriti Kaitlyn Osborne Christian Chang Mason Armitage Xander SouralEuphonium Zephyr McQuade Zai Johnson Hannah CroweTuba Jamie Chester Alyssa Shimmel Trey Reed Mason CombsPercussion Josh Boyd Ian Holdridge Carson Van Gorder Zion Bateman Sarah Hertenstein El Wisniewski Emily Brand

Looking for a quick study break or something fun to do at night? Every Thursday night, head to Slater Family Ice Arena for Student Skate Nights. It’s the perfect way to relax, get moving, and share some laughs on the ice. Bring your neighbors, friends, or come solo and start a new evening routine out on the ice.What to Expect$3 admission / $2 skate rental with a valid BGSU student IDAll levels welcome — from beginners to confident skatersA relaxed atmosphere perfect for hanging out or meeting new peopleFriends and fun guaranteed at one of BGSU’s 'coolest' student activitiesRegistration isn’t required, but signing up ahead of time will help speed things up when you arrive at Slater Ice Arena.🏒

Midterms: Wednesday, Oct. 8 - Monday, Oct. 27Midterm grades are your mid-semester check-in. During this time, it's important to review feedback your instructor may provide and consider "What would my final grade be if the semester ended today?" Check your BGSU email often for messages from your BGSU Student Success Team.Access Your Midterm Grades

BGSU Firelands Falcon Fridays happen every single Friday. All are invited to wear their best orange and brown BGSU gear to spread falcon spirit.Running low on BGSU apparel? Falcon Outfitters in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union celebrates Falcon Friday every Friday during the Fall and Spring Semesters. Go online to take 20% off all regularly priced apparel each Friday!