Drake students and faculty present more than 150 recitals and concerts annually. The university offers three outstanding facilities for musical performances.
Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this beautifully restored facility features lively acoustics and more than 50 stained glass windows. The Jordan stage and 775-seat auditorium provide a dramatic setting for departmental recital and concerts.
Performing Arts Hall
A 460-seat auditorium that was renovated in 1993, the Performing Arts Hall provides a more sizable stage for large ensemble and Drake Opera performances.
Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center
This state-of-the-art performance, rehearsal, and recording facility was built in 2011 to serve as the new home for Drake's expanding jazz program. The Turner Jazz Center also hosts master classes, concerts, and clinics presented by visiting jazz luminaries. This venue is an intimate club-style setting, designed for approximately 100 patrons to enjoy performances in the only purpose-built jazz hall in the state. The center's state-of-the-art recording system, rivaling professional studios, is also used to teach classes in studio recording techniques. Students can learn about recording engineering and gain hands on experience with this equipment as well as integration of recorded audio and video for social media distribution.
