The University of Miami will be commemorating a major university milestone on April 8 as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The school will host an alumni-filled Centennial Celebration Concert on the Coral Gables campus. Renowned musicians who attended the Frost School of Music will share their top hits as the school celebrates a century of education.

The free, public event is expected to draw thousands of attendees in-person and online, bringing together students, alums, locals, and music lovers to honor The University of Miami’s artistic excellence.

Concert Lineup Featuring Acclaimed Frost Alumni

Taking center stage at the Centennial Celebration Concert will be a diverse group of award-winning artists who began their musical journeys at the Frost School. 

Performances will span genres and decades, with singer-songwriter Bruce Hornsby set to revisit his 1980s hit “The Way It Is” and the legendary jazz guitarist Pat Metheny performing a medley including “Are You Going With Me” and “Have You Heard.”

Broadway star Joshua Henry, known for his role in Hamilton, will perform “The Room Where It Happens.” Latin pop star Jon Secada will sing his bilingual hit song “Just Another Day,” and singer-songwriter Ben Folds will perform “Theme from ‘Dr. Pyser.’” 

Rising artist Alexis Kesselman, known as Idarose, will contribute her modern flair to the roster with a performance of “Glimpse of Us,” a track she co-wrote for popstar Joji that gained global acclaim in 2022. Additional performers are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. 

Hosted by a Familiar Face

Jason Kennedy, a 2004 graduate of the University’s School of Communication, will host the concert. Known for his long-standing role as an entertainment journalist with E! News and his more recent work with the PGA Tour and Access Hollywood, Kennedy is a proud ‘Cane with South Florida roots. 

In 2020, he was named South Florida Communicator of the Year by his alma mater, recognizing his contributions to the media industry.

Celebrating a Century of Music Education

This centennial celebration also honors the founding of the University’s Conservatory of Music, now known as the Frost School of Music. The school was one of only two original schools when the university’s charter was signed on April 8, 1925. The event reflects the integral role music has played in shaping the institution’s identity over the past century.

Dean Shelton G. “Shelly” Berg said, “From the beginning, music has been integral to the University of Miami’s identity.” He added, “Today, the Frost School of Music continues to exemplify the promise and prestige of a University of Miami education.”

A Day of Festivities for the Community

The April 8 celebration will be more than just a concert; it will be an all-day festival and honors ceremony. The Frost School Centennial Medals will be awarded to over 144 distinguished alums. These honors recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of music and exemplify the school’s desire to support upcoming artists. 

Festival activities will begin at 5 p.m. with the Canes Carnival on the Foote Green, offering rides, games, and live music for all ages. From 5 to 9 p.m., the Centennial Block Party will take over the Lakeside Patio and Westbrook Walkway, with free food stations along Miller Drive operating from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The Frost School and the University of Miami plan to have additional events to honor their shared legacy and to inspire future generations of scholars and artists. With a century of experience behind them, the University of Miami is looking forward to its next chapter in supporting students.