The Penn State choral community will relive the opening night of the Center for the Performing Arts’ home base at 8 p.m. Friday, April 25, in Eisenhower Auditorium when members of Penn State choirs past and present join in song for “50 Forward: Beethoven’s Ninth Revisited.”

In May 1974, then-University Auditorium opened its doors with the intention of becoming a Penn State performing-arts destination and educational landmark. In April 2025, the Center for the Performing Arts welcomes soon-to-be announced members of the Penn State choral community to relive that opening night in the closing event of the auditorium’s fiftieth anniversary season.

The program will feature the works:

• Inspiration! — Festive Overture by Quinn Mason
• blue cathedral by Jennifer Higdon
• Symphony No. 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven

Pre-concert Benefit Reception

There will be a special pre-concert benefit reception at the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State. This volunteer-organized event will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, followed by a captivating music performance. The benefit reception will feature a delectable buffet of hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, as well as an opportunity to celebrate your “best of” moments from fifty years of Eisenhower Auditorium.

More information and tickets can be purchased here.