1945-UMS Choral Union performs Handel's Messiah on Dec 16 under the American flag, four months after the end of the Second World War.
1958-Pianist Glenn Gould warms up in the basement of Hill Auditorium before his May Festival UMS debut.
1986-Clarinetist Benny Goodman and his Big Band. This was one of Goodman's last performances.
Mission & History
Connecting Audiences and Performing Artists in Uncommon and Engaging Experiences.
Through an uncompromising commitment to Presentation, Education, and the Creation of new work, the University Musical Society (UMS) serves Michigan audiences by bringing to our community an ongoing series of world-class artists, who represent the diverse spectrum of today's vigorous and exciting live performing arts world. For more than a century, strong leadership, coupled with a devoted community, has placed UMS in a league of internationally-recognized performing arts presenters.
UMS grew from a group of local university and townspeople who gathered together for the study of Handel's Messiah . Led by Professor Henry Frieze and conducted by Professor Calvin Cady, the group assumed the name The Choral Union. Their first performance of Handel's Messiah was in December of 1879, and this glorious oratorio has since been performed by the UMS Choral Union annually.
As a large number of Choral Union members also belonged to the University, the University Musical Society was established in December 1880. UMS included the Choral Union and University Orchestra, and throughout the year presented a series of concerts featuring local and visiting artists and ensembles.
Since that first season in 1880, UMS has expanded greatly and now presents the very best from the full spectrum of the performing arts, including internationally renowned recitalists and orchestras, dance and chamber ensembles, jazz and world music performers, and opera and theatre. Through educational endeavors, commissioning of new works, youth programs, artist residencies and other collaborative projects, UMS has maintained its reputation for quality, artistic distinction and innovation. UMS now hosts approximately 75 performances and more than 100 educational events each season.
While proudly affiliated with the University of Michigan, housed on the Ann Arbor campus, and a regular collaborator with many University units, UMS is a separate not-for-profit organization that supports itself from ticket sales, corporate and individual contributions, foundation and government grants, special project support from the University of Michigan, and endowment income.