America at 250 - Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra
Friday, October 16, 2026, 7:30 pm
Event Details
MICHIGAN TECH MUSIC SERIES EVENT
An all-American program celebrating our nation's semiquincentennial, featuring music by John Williams, Duke Ellington, John Philip Sousa, and Aaron Copland, as well as a piece inspired by Norman Rockwell's paintings.
The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra is joined by the Michigan Tech Concert Choir for Battle Hymn of the Republic, and partners with Michigan Tech's premier jazz ensemble, the Jazz Lab Band, to perform Ellington's Grand Slam Jam.
Things to know
DATE | Friday, October 16, 2026
TIME | 7:30 p.m.
SEATING BEGINS | 7 p.m.
LOCATION | Rozsa Center
EST. RUN TIME | Approx. 90 mins. including intermission
SEATING | General Admission
PUBLIC TICKETS | Pay As You're Able ($20 Full Fee) What is Pay As You're Able?
MICHIGAN TECH STUDENT RUSH TICKETS | Login to rozsatickets.com using the MTU Single Sign-on. What is Student Rush?
CONTENT GUIDANCE | None.
Get tickets at rozsatickets.com or at the Rozsa Box Office. View Rozsa Box Office Hours.
Thank you to Sponsors
Support for this 2026/27 Michigan Tech Music Series event is sponsored in part by:
and the Michigan Tech Visual and Performing Arts Circle of Supporters at mtu.edu/rozsa/donors
About the Performers
Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1971, the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra (KSO) is the Upper Peninsula’s oldest orchestra and one of five symphony orchestras in the Lake Superior region. The KSO is a college-community ensemble composed of Michigan Tech students, faculty and staff, and community musicians. The orchestra performs four to five concerts per year—including orchestral masterworks, choral-orchestral, music theatre, ballet, opera, and pops—in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts. The KSO is led by Dr. Joel Neves.
Michigan Tech Concert Choir
This year, led by Susie Byykkonen, the Michigan Tech Concert Choir is a select ensemble of students and community singers studying and performing choral literature ranging from Gregorian Chant to Renaissance motets, masses, and madrigals to fascinating new works by living composers.
Jazz Lab Band
The Jazz Lab Band is the top jazz ensemble at Michigan Tech led by Director of Jazz Studies, Adam Meckler and features a broad repertoire of music ranging from Big Band Era to today's contemporary big band jazz, with a focus on modern and original composition. Jazz Lab Band tours regionally every January, an annual one-week Midwest Tour. The band has toured Jamaica six times, and has been awarded as the Outstanding Large Ensemble at the Aquinas Intercollegiate Big Band Festival. The members composing this ensemble come from all majors across Michigan Tech.
Meet the musicians, condcutor, and more info in the event's digital program. Programs are published at least one day prior to the event.
About the Presenter
The Michigan Tech Music Series unites students, faculty, and community members for a vibrant season of live music in the Keweenaw. Enjoy the commanding Keweenaw Symphony and experience Michigan Tech Jazz as it transforms the Rozsa and McArdle Theatre into Orchestra, stirring Michigan Tech Choirs, and inventive New Music events. Feel the dynamic energy of the Superior Wind Symphony, Campus Concert Band, and iconic Huskies Pep Band, intimate jazz clubs.
Part of the annual Rozsa Season, the Michigan Tech Art, Music, and Theatre Series are presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Through these series, students from across campus, community members, and faculty create art that connects us to the world. With majors in audio production and technology, sound design, theatre and entertainment technology, and nine minors, the department fosters creativity, self-motivation, and the development of practical and artistic skills. Everyone is welcome, and there's something for everyone.
View all Michigan Tech Music Series Events.
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Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every person or for all ages. The Rozsa Center provides content guidance to alert audience members to common potentially sensitive or distressing material. Guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with each event in order to make informed decisions prior to attending an event.
Views Expressed Statement
The views, information, thoughts, or opinions expressed in this program or event are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent the policies of the Rozsa Center or Michigan Technological University. Effective Date: 2025/26.
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