Arts and Culture

Northern Michigan University's vocal ensembles, under the direction of Erin Colwitz, will present two free performances this month in Reynolds Recital Hall. The NMU Arts Chorale will join participating U.P. high school groups for the NMU Choral Festival evening concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9. It will also perform with the NMU Choir in a fall concert titled "Women in Music" at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15. 

Minneapolis-based string duo The OK Factor and award-winning Swedish quintet Jaerv will perform together as part of the Siril Concert Series at Northern Michigan University. They will present their program Traditions at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m., in Reynolds Recital Hall.

Northern Michigan University's Theatre and Dance Department will host a 60th anniversary reception and inaugural alumni awards celebration to honor exceptional achievements in the entertainment arts.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present the musical "Monty Python's Spamalot” Oct. 12-14 and 19-20. Director and NMU assistant professor Jimmy Ludwig appeared in the original Broadway production of the show, sharing the stage with familiar veterans Tim Curry, Hank Azaria and David Hyde-Pierce.

Northern Michigan University's Music Department will host a jazz concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The free event will feature the NMU Jazz Band, a standard big band with close to 20 members, directed by Patrick Booth, and two smaller jazz combos directed by Mark Flaherty.

Award-winning Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis will perform as the Marquette Symphony Orchestra's guest artist at Northern Michigan University. The recital is at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, in Reynolds Recital Hall. A masterclass with Kilphuis will also be offered from 3-4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, in Reynolds Recital Hall.

Northern Michigan University students, a faculty member and an alumna recently completed a 10-day immersive experience in Puerto Rico. The trip complements a course that explores community resilience in the face of adversity and the intricate interplay of human needs, services and communications systems.

NMU resumed its faculty-led study abroad program to Spain this summer after a four-year interruption due to the pandemic. Twenty students participated in the four-week session, studying at the prestigious University of Salamanca, founded in 1218. 

Lake Superior and Marquette factor prominently in a newly published poetry collection, Inland Sea, by Northern Michigan University English Professor Lynn Domina. The title not only reflects content about the natural environment that has provided ample creative inspiration since she moved to the area eight years ago. It is also a metaphorical reference to humans' spiritual and psychological inland seas. 

The 2023-2024 Siril Concert Series at Northern Michigan University will open with “An Evening at the Opera,” featuring soprano Tara Jamshidian and tenor Adam Lowe. The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, in Reynolds Recital Hall.