The first show of the 2025-2026 Jefferson College PACE (Performing Arts and Cultural Enhancement) series is set for Sunday afternoon on the Hillsboro campus.
Missouri Chamber Music Festival musicians will perform at 3 p.m. that day in the Choir Room at the Fine Arts building. Admission is free.
“It’s a pretty intimate space,” said organizer Joel Vanderheyden, the college’s professor of music and director of jazz.
A $6,461,900 renovation project is underway at the Fine Arts Building. That project includes the construction of a 6,000-square-foot addition to the west side of the building, as well as renovations to the existing structure.
Brockmiller Construction of Farmington was hired to complete the work, which began last year, leading to most PACE activities being held off campus last school year.
Vanderheyden noted that while some PACE events will continue to take place off campus this fall semester, the renovations are expected to be finished in 2026, and the plan is for PACE events to return to the Fine Arts Theatre in the Fine Arts building at that time.
Even during the fall semester, a number of PACE events will be held around the Hillsboro campus, Vanderheyden said.
“Our theme for PACE this year is ‘Dedication,’ to show our dedication to the arts,” he said. “It also refers to dedicating our new space with the renovations at the Fine Arts building.
“Hopefully, the renovations will be ready for the spring semester, (including) a new theater lobby, an art gallery and a new rehearsal hall. It will be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible.”
Elke Overton, Jefferson College associate professor of music and director of winds and percussion, said the PACE series makes the arts available to the community.
“Our goal with the PACE series is to make Jefferson College the center for arts for the county,” Overton said. “We bring national artists to Jefferson College so you don’t have to go see them in St. Louis.
“PACE offers a variety of forms of art with speakers, poetry, visual art, music, of course, and theater.”
She said she looks forward to the Music Department Inaugural Concert set for March 8 when the college choirs, wind ensemble and jazz combos are slated to return to the Fine Arts Theatre for a free public performance.
“It will be a big event for the Music Department with our first concert in the renovated theater,” Overton said.
Ticket information is available at jeffcopace.ludus.com.
The following is the 2025-2026 PACE series schedule of events.
■ August-December: Jefferson College Library (on the Hillsboro campus) Missouri Freedom Suits Exhibit – the Missouri State Archives exhibit explores the history of freedom seekers who challenged their owners and the slavery system by filing lawsuits. Free admission.
■ Sept. 7: 3 p.m. at the Fine Arts building Choir Room, visiting artist Missouri Chamber Music Festival. Free admission.
■ Sept. 17: 6 p.m. at the Jefferson College Library, a play titled “What the Constitution Means to Me” written by Heidi Schreck and performed by Rebecca Ellison, communications and theater professor. Tickets cost $5.
■ Sept. 19: 11:45 a.m. in the Viking Room at the Student Center on the Hillsboro campus, Friday Speaker Series presentation on Mercy Hospital Jefferson Community Update. Admission is $10 and includes buffet lunch. Registration required.
■ Sept. 22-Oct. 23: Faculty Art Exhibition in the Administration building lobby on the Hillsboro campus. Free admission.
■ Sept. 24: noon Lunch & Learn Missouri Freedom Suits Presentation by archivist Bill Glankler in the Jefferson College Library. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunches. Free admission.
■ Oct. 7: 7 p.m. at Rickman Auditorium in Arnold, Choral Benefit Concert with Jefferson College performing with Windsor, Fox, Seckman and Festus high school choirs to benefit a local food pantry. Suggested donation of $5 or two canned goods.
■ Oct. 10-12: 7 p.m. Oct. 10-11 and 2 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Jefferson College Library, fall play titled “One Acts to Rule Them All.” Free admission.
■ Oct. 12: 4:30 p.m. at Hillsboro Baptist Church, Fall Choral Concert “The Earth Adorned.” Free admission.
■ Oct. 17: 11:45 a.m. in the Viking Room at the Student Center on the
Hillsboro campus, Friday Speaker Series presentation about Missouri Freedom Suits. Admission is $10 and includes buffet lunch. Registration required.
■ Oct. 28: 7 p.m. at Jefferson R-7 High School south of Festus, Jazz Ensemble. Free admission.
■ Oct. 30: 2 p.m.. at the Jefferson College Library, panel presentation on American Horror & Hauntings. Free Admission.
■ Nov. 3-28: Exhibition of works from visiting artist Emily Denlinger in the Administration building lobby on the Hillsboro campus. Free admission.
■ Nov. 6: 2 p.m. at the Jefferson College Library, a presentation by Chris Otto, English professor, on Native Americans and their Role in Missouri History. Free admission.
■ Nov. 6: 6:30 p.m. at Seckman High School in Imperial, Wind Ensemble Concert. Free admission.
■ Nov. 8: Greater St. Louis Honor Band at Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis. Free admission.
■ Nov. 21: 11:45 a.m. at the Viking Room of the Student Center on the Hillsboro campus, Friday Speaker Series presentation on Blacksmithing – Making Metal Move. Admission is $10 and includes buffet lunch. Registration is required.
■ December: date to be announced, Wind Ensemble Concert at Windsor High School in Imperial. Free admission.
■ Dec. 6: 7 p.m. in the Student Center cafe, Ye Olde Madrigal Feaste for an evening of madrigal and renaissance music from the Jefferson College Choral Singers and Instrumental Chamber Ensemble. Admission is $40 and includes dinner.
■ Dec. 7: 3:30 p.m. at the Windsor High School, Winter Choral Concert “Celebrate!” Free admission.
■ Dec. 12: 11:45 a.m. in the Viking Room at the Student Center on the Hillsboro campus, Friday Speaker Series presentation Holiday Choral Performance. Admission is $10 and includes buffet lunch. Registration required.
■ Feb. 26 to March 1: 10 a.m. Feb. 26, 7 p.m. Feb. 27-28 and 2 p.m. March 1 at the Jefferson College Library, spring play “The Miracle Worker.” General admission costs $5; $2 for students and senior citizens or for the matinees.
■ Feb. 26: 2 p.m. in the Jefferson College Library, a presentation by Joe Thurman, associate professor, The Hour of Trial and Destiny: Black Agency and the Founding of Missouri’s First Freedmen’s Schools. Free admission.
■ March 2-27: Associate of Fine Arts Exhibition at the Fine Arts Gallery on the Hillsboro campus. Free admission.
■ March 8: 3 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre on the Hillsboro campus, Music Department Inaugural Concert featuring Jefferson College Choirs, Wind Ensembles and Jazz Combos. Free admission.
■ March 12: 7:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre, Spring Jazz Showcase featuring Reggie Thomas and Mardra Thomas. General admission is $5; $2 for students and senior citizens.
■ March 13: 48 Hour Film Festival kickoff. Films are due March 15, with the screening set for April 24. Festival is open to anyone. More information to come. Free admission.
■ March 26: Open Mic Poetry Night. More information to come. Free admission.
■ March 30-April 10: at the Fine Arts Gallery, High School Art Show. Free admission.
■ April 9: 2 p.m. at the Jefferson College Library, America 250 and Poetry, readings by Jefferson College Writing Club members, faculty and staff. Free admission.
■ April 14: 7 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre, screening of the short documentary “A Matter of Time” shot in St. Louis. Vanderheyden composed the documentary’s music. General admission is $5; $2 students and seniors.
■ April 16: 7:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre, Grammy-nominated trombonist-composer Alan Ferber Nonet. General admission is $5; $2 for students and senior citizens.
■ April 18: Woodwind and Brass Day, a Music Department clinic for high school students. Free admission.
■ April 28: 2:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre, Celebration of Creative Works showcasing Jefferson College students and employees reading poems, short stories and other creative works. Free admission.
■ April 28 to June 6: at the Fine Arts Gallery, Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition. Free admission.
■ May 5: 7:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre, Wind Ensemble Concert. Free admission.
■ May 9: 3 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre, Spring Choral Concert “Dance!” Free admission.
■ June 19-21 and 26-28: 7 p.m. June 19-20 and 26-27 and 2 p.m. June 21 and 28 at the Fine Arts Theatre, summer musical “The Producers.” General admission is $10; $5 for students and senior citizens and for matinees.