On Sunday, March 9, UMass had a big win. It didn’t make the papers, but that doesn’t minimize the accomplishment of the students or the thrill for those who went to the Bromery Center for the Arts to enjoy a performance of “Fairytales and Magic in Opera,” a collaboration featuring the UMass Symphony Orchestra and the UMass opera program.

The musicians and the singers were equally impressive. The orchestra was lush, confident and restrained when necessary, so the voices could be heard. The singers sang in English, German, Italian and French. They took on difficult arias and their voices soared. The production was simple; there were no sets and minimal costumes, but they were enough to provide a sense of drama. And all the musicians and vocalists were glowing and young, with bright futures ahead, unless our current political situation crashes all their hopes.

There’s little good news these days and such despair that being in the presence of such excellence and positive energy made me cry. Young people working at what they love, with a university supporting their efforts and aspirations in the middle of a storm of attacks on higher education, made me grateful for their dedication — as well as to UMass and every other college or university that is being forced to defend itself against attacks on free speech and the value of the liberal arts.

Sunday’s performance was liberal arts in action. It stood for opportunity and exploration. Some of the performers were music majors, but not all. Because I was sitting next to his mother, I learned that the bass player is majoring in music and mechanical engineering. If he attends to his academics with the same care that he gave to his instrument, he will contribute to the world in a mighty way.

Then I met a neighbor who is part of the local farming community. Farmers are getting hurt badly by cuts to programs designed to combat climate change. We talked and shook our heads until the house light blinked and went down. Then we were thrilled.

Spring is here. There will be parties. People will grumble about drunk students. There is never enough parking in town and I’m fearful about federal aid that Amherst and the university may lose, but it was good to put all that aside for an afternoon and let gratitude fill me.

After the performance, my husband and I drove through campus. The sun had come out. It was shining on all the new impressive buildings. Students were meandering around with their faces in their phones offering no clue to their wondrous accomplishments. One was carrying a violin case. I imagined she was a member of the orchestra.

When they return from spring break, students at each of the Five Colleges will be performing. All of these are listed on the school’s arts calendars. If you are looking for an uplifting way to spend an afternoon or evening, go to a student dance recital a play or a musical event. It’s one of the more hopeful things a person can do.

Lee Wicks is a writer and former communications director. She lives in Montague with her husband and a giant dog named Ziggy.