The Center is also the home of many community arts organizations, including the Lexington Philharmonic, the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra, the Chamber Music Society and the Lexington Singers. Renowned persons such as Winton Marsalis, Ray Charles, Terry Waite, and Bernard Shaw have appeared in the past several years. Many programs at the Center are free or offer discounts for students. Theatre The Department of Theatre produces several staged works each year that offer a range of dramatic performances for the University and the community. All University students are invited to audition for plays.
Many similar opportunities are also available through the summer theatre program.
The Department of Theatre participates in the American College Theatre Festival, the Irene Ryan Acting Competition, the Kentucky Theatre Association, and the Southeastern Theatre Conference. The School of Music sponsors a variety of recitals and concerts throughout the year by faculty and students. Faculty musical ensembles include the Faculty String Quartet, the Faculty Brass Quintet and the McCracken Wind Quintet. Student organizations include the Symphony Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, the University Choristers and Chorale, the UK Jazz Ensembles, the Percussion Ensemble, Opera Theatre, the Collegium Musicum, Mega-Sax, Paws and Listen, and the AcoustiCats. Faculty recitals, faculty ensemble concerts, and concerts by student organizations are usually free to students, faculty, staff, and to the community.