Most people know that both Vanderbilt University and Belmont University have big bold, highly regarded music programs.

But did you realize that between Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music and the Belmont School of Music, there are more than 200 concerts each year that are free and open to the public.

It is everything from large orchestras, to chamber music, to chorale programs, to ensembles and any number of other combinations of fresh musical talent.

This fall at Vanderbilt, you can enjoy the Blair Jazz Faculty 50th anniversary performance of Miles Davis' legendary "Birth of the Cool" album; a collaboration between the Vanderbilt Opera Theater and Vanderbilt University Orchestra to present "The Marriage of Figaro;" a fun family musical afternoon; and several performances by noted soprano Ah Young Hong, during her week long residency at Blair.

Or you could go to Belmont and take in a Belmont Symphony Orchestra concert, a program featuring an international piano competition winner, a unique Carillon Concert, umpteen student ensemble performances, and a brownbag lunchtime concert series.

Both schools see their free concerts as a way to connect with the community, as well as a chance to give their talented students exposure and practice.

"By providing almost all of our performances free of charge, we hope to expose as many people as possible to the joys and possibilities of musical expression," said Kristin Whittlesey at Blair, who added that providing "the highest-caliber musical performances to the Nashville community is a key part of our mission."

"Our performance schedule offers something for every listener," said Belmont Dean Stephen Eaves, who said the upcoming season includes "faculty and student concerts of classical masterworks, jazz, bluegrass and everything in between."

In most cases you can just show up for these concerts, and there is even free parking.

Top free Blair Concerts

Aug. 29: The Blair Jazz Faculty present the music from Miles Davis’ classic recording, "Birth of the Cool." Recorded in 1949 and 1950, this music was not released until 1957, when the “cool” jazz style became more defined. Now, 60 years after the album’s release, the Jazz faculty will present this music live at 8 p.m.

Sept. 10: Blair Pre-college Festival of Music kicks off the new school year with an afternoon of family friendly musical fun and games: Kindermusik playdates, musical instrument petting zoos and demonstrations, Sankofa performances of African-style drumming and dancing, backstage tours, face-painting, open steel band rehearsals, and performances by the Children’s Cello Choir, the Suzuki violin performing group, and Fiddle Frenzy. The event runs from 1-5 p.m.

Oct. 4-6: There will be several opportunities to hear soprano Ah Young Hong, during her week long residency at Blair: 8 p.m. Oct. 4, when she and pianist Mark Wait perform. At 8 p.m. on Oct. 6, Hong will be accompanied by an assortment of Blair musicians including violinist Carolyn Huebl, cellist Felix Wang and Wait.

Oct. 28: The 40th anniversary of the Vanderbilt Holocaust Lecture Series will include a concert combining music from the Blakemore Trio and Friends, with a lecture by musicologist Joy Calico at 7 p.m.

Nov. 10, Nov. 12: Vanderbilt Opera Theatre and Vanderbilt University Orchestra present "The Marriage of Figaro," in a creative interactive collaboration with Vanderbilt’s department of Cinema and Media Arts. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 12. Details: blair.vanderbilt.edu

Belmont's Top Free Concerts

Sept. 24 at the Belmont Bell Tower: This "A Few of My Favorite Things" concert at 4 p.m. celebrates Richard Shadinger's retirement after 44 years as a faculty member. Shadinger will play standard works for the carillon as well as arrangements of folk songs and favorite show tunes.

Oct. 3 in McAfee Concert Hall: The Woods Piano Concert Series presents Dror Biran, an award winning pianist who is on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. The event begins at 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 12. in McAfee Concert Hall: The Belmont Symphony Orchestra will open the season with a concert of all-Dvorak music including the Carnival Overture and Symphony #9 “From the New World.” The concert, set for 7:30 p.m., is a good chance to check out McAfee, which was created by the same architects and acoustic designers responsible for the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Oct. 22 at McAfee Concert Hall: The Belmont Chorale & Women’s Choir will perform beautiful sacred and secular music at 3 p.m. Chorale is Belmont’s earliest performing ensemble and The Women’s Choir unites the voices of over 100 women.

Oct. 24. in Massey Concert Hall: Jazz Band & Jazz Band II are sure to entertain. 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 28 in Curb Cafe: Bluegrass Ensemble, led by alumna SteelDrivers fiddler Tammy Rogers King, will perform. 5 p.m.

Belmont will also a free Brown Bag Concert Series at noon on Fridays in the atrium at Massey Performing Arts Center: Sept. 22: Jazz Small Groups; Sept. 29: String Chamber Orchestra; Oct. 6: Concert Band; and Oct. 13: World Percussion Ensemble.

There is a lot behind Massey Performing Arts Center and street parking along Belmont Blvd. for the brown bag guests.

http://www.belmont.edu/music/

About the Blair School

The Blair School offers about 120 free performances a year, including this fall's 17 faculty and faculty ensemble concerts, and 30 student and guest ensemble performances.

This season the focus is on collaborative inter-departmental projects, such as working the Vanderbilt Opera Theatre's modern version of "The Marriage of Figaro", which is set as a "Big Brother"-style reality TV show, with video elements produced by the university’s Department of Cinema and Media Arts.

Parking: Free parking in Vanderbilt’s West Garage, on Children’s Way between 24th and 25th avenues.

Details: blair.vanderbilt.edu

About the Belmont concerts

The Belmont University School of Music offers 94 free performances a year (49 in the fall and 45 in the spring.) This fall there are eight faculty concerts, 35 student ensemble performances and two guest performers.

In addition, there is a $15 ticket price for Musical Theatre’s four performances of "Fiddler on the Roof" and Opera Theatre’s two performances of "Die Fledermaus" by Johann Strauss II.

Belmont's students work with all types of music, including symphonic, chamber music, piano, choral, musical theatre, opera, bluegrass, jazz, country, show choir and pop,

All faculty and student performances in Massey and McAfee Concert Halls are live streamed. Visit www.belmont.edu/music and click on Live Stream.

Parking: All parking garage are available to guests. For concerts in Massey Concert Hall, guests can park on Belmont Blvd. and in the lots near the Massey Performing Arts Center. There is a parking lot next to and behind McAfee Concert Hall.

Details: http://www.belmont.edu/music/