MONMOUTH, ILLINOIS (May 8, 2025) — As the academic year comes to a close, a pair of popular series hosted by Monmouth College will hold their final events next week before taking a break for the summer.
On May 13, the Maple Leaf Community Concert Series will feature Jared Freiburg and The Vagabonds. The concert will be staged at 7PM in the Kasch Performance Hall of Dahl Chapel and Auditorium.
On May 15, Monmouth alumni Craig Anderson ('91) and Chris Schwarz ('09), who are both part of the leadership team at the Illinois High School Association, will present the program at the Monmouth Associates luncheon. It will begin at noon in the Whiteman-McMillan Highlander Room on the upper level of the Stockdale Center.
“The golden era of American music”
An evening with Freiburg and his band has been described as entering "a time capsule to the golden era of American music." A piano maestro, Freiburg features a lineup of rock and roll, blues, country, and jazz hits from the 1950s, with memorable tunes by artists spanning from Elvis Presley to Frank Sinatra.
Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Freiburg began playing piano at the age of five. Among his musical credits is portraying Jerry Lee Lewis in the touring production of Million Dollar Quartet.
Individual and membership tickets for the concert series can be purchased at the Buchanan Center for the Arts in downtown Monmouth or at the door. Tickets for students are free.
IHSA talk
Anderson and Schwarz will return to campus to share updates from the IHSA, where they serve, respectively, as executive director and assistant executive director. Their talk will include a review of the year, changes to classification policy and recent legislative developments. In addition to their IHSA updates, Anderson and Schwarz will reflect on how their Monmouth College experience helped shape their professional paths and leadership within the IHSA.
Their presentation is free, but there is a $15 charge per ticket to eat lunch at the event. Individuals attending the meal are asked to make reservations by May 13 at 309-457-2323 or at alumni@monmouthcollege.edu.
Parking is available in the Stockdale Center lot or along North Ninth Street during event time. Vehicles left parked after the event can be ticketed.
