This April, step into spring with live music, bold performances, and timely conversations across UBC Arts. From student ensembles and opera to global speakers and pop-up events, there’s plenty to explore and be part of.
UBC Music Ensemble Performances
From orchestral and choral works to jazz and contemporary pieces, experience the talent and creativity of the UBC School of Music students and faculty on stage.
Apr 1 | UBC Chamber Choirs | Free
Experience the UBC Chamber Choir as a 24-voice ensemble brings a rich repertoire from timeless choral works to bold contemporary pieces to life.
Apr 8 | UBC African Music and Dance Ensemble | Free
Feel the energy of the UBC African and Dance Ensemble as they bring West African music and dance to life through drumming, movement, and a vibrant mix of traditional and contemporary performance.
Apr 9 | UBC Korean Drum Ensemble | Free
Rooted in Korean folk traditions, the UBC Korean Drumming Ensemble brings 사물놀이 (Samulnori) to life through dynamic rhythms, synchronized movement, and visually captivating performance.
Apr 9 | UBC Vox and Oriana Choirs | Free
UBC’s Vox and Oriana choirs present an intimate evening of choral music, showcasing a vibrant and diverse repertoire for treble and lower voice ensembles.
Apr 10 | UBC Balinese Gamelan Ensemble | Free
The UBC Balinese Gamelan Ensemble brings the vibrant sound world of Bali to life through interlocking rhythms, shimmering textures, and the resonant energy of gongs and percussion.
Apr 10 | UBC Symphony Orchestra with Brian Sun | Tickets: $10–27
The UBC Symphony Orchestra closes its season with a sweeping program of works by Chatman, Rachmaninoff, and Ravel. Featuring pianist Brian Sun, winner of the 2026 UBC Concerto Competition.
Apr 13 | UBC Composers Concert | Free
Discover new sounds as UBC School of Music students perform original works by emerging composers from the UBC Composition program.
Moving Markets: Mobility, Memory, and Urban Transformation in London and Hong Kong
Wednesday, April 1 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM | Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
Free
How do street markets shape a city and who gets to belong in them? Explore how migrant communities, mobility, and redevelopment collide in places like London and Hong Kong, revealing how everyday spaces become sites of resistance, identity, and change.
Global Community Engagement in Action: ORICE Year-End Showcase
Wednesday, April 1 | 4:00–6:00 PM
C.K. Choi Building, Room 120
Free
Step into a showcase of student-led global projects tackling human rights, mental health, and community impact. Drop by, explore the work, and connect with the teams bringing it to life.
An Evening with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa
Thursday, April 2 | 7:30 PM | Chan Shun Concert Hall
Tickets: $30–$99
What does it take to defend truth when it’s under attack? Hear from Nobel Peace Prize–winning journalist Maria Ressa as she shares insights from the front lines of the global fight for press freedom and the future of democracy.
US-China Relations: Rivalry, Strategy, and the Future of Global Power
Thursday, April 7 | 12:30–2:00 PM | Liu Institute for Global Issues – xʷθəθiqətəm (Place of many trees)
Free
What’s really driving tensions between the US and China? Bring your lunch and hear Assistant Professor Alex Yu-Ting Lin unpack how strategic intentions and misread signals shape escalation in the South China Sea.
Relax with Rabbits
Wednesday, April 8 | 3:00–5:00 PM| Compass Hub, Brock Commons South (Room 3001)
Free
As the term comes to an end and you prep for exams, take some time out to relax and recharge. Hang out with the Rabbits from Rabbitats! Enjoy some free snacks for yourself and have fun feeding the bunnies. 🐰
Concert at the Belkin: The Structure of Smoke
Wednesday, April 8 | 2:00–3:30 PM | Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery
Free
Join the UBC School of Music Contemporary Players for a live, gallery-based performance inspired by The Structure of Smoke. Experience the exhibition reimagined through sound in an immersive, one-of-a-kind performance.
UBC Opera: Giulio Cesare
April 9–11 | 7:30 PM | Old Auditorium
Tickets: $15–$50
Power struggles, shifting alliances, and a fight for the throne. Set in ancient Egypt, Giulio Cesare brings Handel’s sweeping score to life through a story of ambition, love, and betrayal. Perfect whether you’re new to opera or already a fan.
Matinée performance on Apr 12 at 2:00 PM.
Susan Aglukark and PIQSIQ
Sunday April 12, | 7:30–9:30 PM | Chan Shun Concert Hall
Tickets: $30–$79
Celebrate Inuit artistry and expression with Susan Aglukark and PIQSIQ. Through song and throat-singing, this evening explores culture, resilience, and the power of storytelling across generations. Experience a performance that blends tradition and innovation in ways that feel both grounded and deeply contemporary.
UBC Reads Sustainability with Kate Marvel
Wednesday, April 15 | 6:00–8:30 PM | Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability
Tickets: $15 (free for students)
What if climate change wasn’t just about data, but about how we feel? Join climate scientist Kate Marvel for a live reading and talk that explores climate science through emotion, from grief and fear to wonder, hope, and love.
How can Canada shape a shifting global order?
Thursday, April 16 | Noon–1:15 PM | Online
Free
What does it mean for Canada to be a “middle power” in a shifting global order? Hear from UBC Faculty of Arts professors Maxwell A. Cameron and Irene Bloemraad as they explore evolving alliances, migration, and Canada’s place in the world.
UBC BANG! Festival
Wednesday, April 22 | 11:00 AM–8:30 PM | Roy Barnett Recital Hall
Free
Where code and music meet. UBC Music students perform electroacoustic and interactive works using digital instruments, gesture-tracking, and custom-built technology, blending sound, movement, and visuals in real time.
Job Search for New Graduates
Monday, April 27 | Noon–1:00 PM | Online
Free
Graduating soon? This workshop with the UBC Career Centre offers practical strategies for navigating the job search and making the transition from student to new graduate.
