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The Uptown Music Collective's upcoming performance season will feature a trio of distinctly themed productions, according to a recent press release. With shows that celebrate the music of 1976, the biggest country hits of the '90s, and the iconic rock sounds of '80s hair bands, the season promises a little bit of something for everyone.
Each year, the area's premier nonprofit school of music brings a series of performances that showcases their students' hard work, entertains the community and celebrates music icons from every era. Now in its 26th year, the Uptown Music Collective is slated to return to the Journey Bank Community Arts Center stage, home of the school's Major Performance Season.
"We always get amped up this time of year," said Jared Mondell, executive director. "Students have been working hard since the start of the school year, and it is shaping up to be a very exciting performance season. We've got some great music in store for everyone, and, as always, the students are embracing every song, every lyric and every note with precision and care as they prep for these shows. It's an exciting time to be a part of the Uptown Music Collective."
Mondell is working closely with Dave Brumbaugh, the school's founder and music director, to deliver even more of what the Collective's talented students have come to be known for: hard work, passion and energy.
"I always get excited to see how our performance season is coming together, and this one will definitely not disappoint," Brumbaugh said. "Historically, our goal has been to listen to a healthy mix of input from our students and the community to create a lineup that will showcase the rich talent of our young performers and entertain our audiences. I think we've done a good job of bringing all of that together for the 26/27 season."
'The Spirit of '76: The Year That Defined Radio Rock'
Nov. 20-21, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
The school's season opener - and 84th major performance - brings WUMC, a live rock radio broadcast, to the stage for a celebration of the music of 1976. Local radio personalities will join performers for a show like no other.
Songs like "Hotel California," "More than a Feeling" and "Carry on Wayward Son," along with hits from Aerosmith, KISS, Heart, the Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and more, will bring this memorable year in music history to life.
'Boot Scootin' Boogie: The Biggest Hits of '90s Country'
Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
For one night only, UMC performers will take on the biggest hits of '90s country in a special People's Choice fundraiser. The community voted, the students listened and now the performers are ready to take the stage.
The 1990s were a decade when country music exploded across America, filling arenas and stadiums with songs like "Friends in Low Places," "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!," "Boot Scootin' Boogie," "Chattahoochee," "Fancy" and "The Thunder Rolls." Audiences can watch these young musicians pay tribute to some of country music's biggest stars.
The show's theme was selected through the UMC's annual People's Choice online voting event, held last summer. Proceeds will support the school's scholarship and financial aid fund, as well as other programs.
'Smashes, Thrashes & Hits: The Sounds of '80s Hair Bands'
April 23-24 at 7:30 p.m.
The season's final concert celebrates the look, attitude and music of an unforgettable era of big hair, big guitars and even bigger songs. Over two nights, performers will push themselves to their limits as they celebrate the hair band era and its larger-than-life icons.
Hits from Def Leppard, Poison, Twisted Sister, Ratt and Bon Jovi will crank up the energy, while power ballads such as "Here I Go Again" and "Livin' on a Prayer" are sure to get audiences on their feet.
Each show features the Uptown Music Collective's Special Performance Group 1, a hard-working cohort of students ages 11 to 18 supported by the school's "Tech Monkeys." Along with the music, audiences can expect a professional-grade lighting and sound production organized by the students, who work alongside the professionals at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center.
"I'm most excited for the '90s country show this year," said Lila Butters, Loyalsock Township High School senior. "I've always loved county music, and from the sneak peek show we did at Antlers on the Water, I can tell it's going to be a great one. There's just something about playing country music that makes me happy. I've been playing '90s country in my car since I found out about the show, and I have a feeling this is going to be a playlist I keep listening to."
Tickets for all Uptown Music Collective shows are on sale now at caclive.com/umc. For more information about the Uptown Music Collective and its upcoming shows, visit www.uptownmusic.org or call 570-329-0888.