MIDLAND, Michigan—Alora Rishko, a third-year student at H.H. Dow High School, had eagerly awaited the arrival of the University of Michigan’s Symphony Band statewide bus expedition for several months after her band director relayed the information via email.
She expressed to him: “Hey, I’m excited to perform since it’s the U of M band… My mindset was that if it’s the first time in 30 years they’ve accomplished this, then it’s a unique chance to perform with the U of M band as a high school student.”
Rishko, who plays the clarinet in Dow High School’s symphonic band, mentioned she engaged in substantial practice, especially on her higher notes.
“I was anxious about making mistakes in front of such remarkable musicians,” she remarked.
The U-M Symphony Band traveled across the state in May, providing complimentary clinics for high school musicians and performing in 11 locations ranging from Belleville to Interlochen. In Midland, the band held clinics for the Dow High School Chargers and Midland High School Chemics before delivering a selection of pieces to a full gymnasium.
In total, around 1,500 student musicians received instruction from U-M band students and faculty during interactive, side-by-side clinics at various high schools in Belleville, Troy, Fenton, Grand Blanc, Flint, Midland, Interlochen, Traverse City, Muskegon, and Allendale. Each engagement concluded with a complimentary, public concert.
Under the direction of Jason Fettig, the head of University Bands and a music professor at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance, 58 U-M student musicians contributed their time to the tour, performing works by composers such as John Philip Sousa, Henry Fillmore, John Williams, George Walker, Gala Flagello, Jerry Bilik, and others.
The tour also showcased performances by faculty soloist David Jackson, who previously performed as a soloist during the U-M Symphony Band tour in the ’90s as a student, along with graduate conductors DaJuan Brooks and Kristina LaMarca.
For the Sousa march—“The Pride of the Wolverines”—the high school musicians joined their college counterparts on stage after practicing the piece during the clinic.
“I explain to the audiences today, this wasn’t originally written for the University of Michigan; it was composed for the mayor of Detroit,” Fettig stated. “The structure of this march has become synonymous with what we envision when we think of an American march. If you’re familiar with ‘Stars and Stripes Forever,’ which is the most recognized march, the composition and framework are identical.”
Fettig’s past experience as the former conductor of “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, which has toured extensively, made him an ideal choice to spearhead the band tour for Michigan.
Fettig, who joined the U-M faculty in 2024, mentioned that the feedback from the communities has been outstanding.
“We are an essential institution within the state. The University of Michigan carries a national and international reputation, and we aim to ensure that we prioritize our compatriots in the state of Michigan first,” he expressed. “And what better method than through the arts to engage with the communities, sharing a concert simply intended to enjoy music together and celebrate the spirit of our state.
“This is one of the motivations behind curating a program that has numerous connections to Michigan itself, so we could experience that pride in what we create in the arts.”
The Midland concert featured compositions by four composers with ties to Michigan—Sousa, Bilik, Michael Daugherty, and Scott Boerma.
Fettig commended the U-M Arts Initiative for sponsoring the “State of the Arts” tour. He shared his desire to ensure that each undergraduate in the band has the opportunity to tour at least once during their tenure at Michigan.
“The additional advantage of this experience is ours. It benefits our college students who are training to become professional musicians, preparing to be music educators,” he noted. “They gain the opportunity to step into the real world, work closely with students, mentor them, inspire them, and strengthen the skills they will utilize throughout their careers.”
Maja Pechanach, a recent U-M graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Performance, Winds & Percussion who specialized in clarinet, noted that the tour was a rewarding experience for her due to her enthusiasm for music education.
“We’re able to offer them some insights, but also sort of collaborate as a group, which I believe is such a unique opportunity,” she remarked.
Pechanach mentioned that the ensemble received varied reactions during the tour. Some students were very eager to engage, while others were reserved and anxious until a connection was established. Additionally, there exists the rivalry between the Wolverines and Spartans.
“We first visited Belleville, which is quite near Ann Arbor, and everyone there embodies Michigan pride, but in Grand Blanc a few days ago, quite a few audience members were deliberately donning MSU apparel, which was amusing,” she commented. “I hope the students walk away with a revitalized sense of ensemble participation and the ability to discover joy in music.”
Fettig aspires that the high school attendees feel motivated to seek further education, believing these engagements might ignite a deeper dedication to their instruments. Local band directors share this aspiration.
“I think it’s incredibly beneficial for high school students to be able to listen to, learn from, and perform alongside collegiate-level musicians,” stated Chad Mielens, who directs bands at West Senior High in Traverse City, one of the U-M Symphony Band’s tour destinations.
“We continuously strive to cultivate a lifelong passion for music, and playing in a college ensemble serves as an outstanding avenue for students to pursue their artistic journeys.”
Over 400 U-M alumni are currently leading hundreds of elementary, middle, and high school music classrooms throughout Michigan. Their influence resonates across the nation.
“Michigan has significantly impacted school bands across America,” stated Mielens. “From the foundation of Interlochen Band Camp in 1928 to conductors like William Revelli and H. Robert Reynolds at the University of Michigan, our state has shaped the structure of high school and collegiate bands nationwide.”
Fettig emphasized that one of the most vital aspects of being a musician is sharing one’s art through live performances.
“If our students return having enjoyed their experience, feeling a sense of community, and truly inspired about their own endeavors, then that is my primary objective as an educator,” he remarked.
Engaging with high school students at a pivotal stage in their life decisions is crucial as well.
Rishko, the clarinetist at Dow High School, does not intend to major in music during her college years, aiming instead for an engineering degree. Nevertheless, music will always play a role in her life, whether through playing in a community ensemble or other avenues.
“It definitely made me contemplate it because the director (Fettig) mentioned, ‘It’s somewhat like a hallway. You never know which door might open for you.’ I find that to be a fascinating perspective when considering one’s life choices.”
“`