Egg Harbor, Wis. (July 6, 2026) – The charismatic and nationally acclaimed sounds of Big Band Jazz return to the historic Dutton Concert Barn this summer. From July 15 through August 8, Birch Creek Music Performance Center will host four weeks of high-octane performances featuring nationally and internationally acclaimed faculty and talented student musicians. Audiences will experience exceptional musicianship through a unique mentorship model where student ensembles perform at the start of each concert, followed by the powerful sounds of the Birch Creek Jazz Faculty Orchestra.
The 2026 Jazz series is presented in two distinct sessions: Jazz I (July 15–25) and Jazz II (July 29–August 8). Nightly performances begin at 7:00 PM and are preceded by pre-concert music featuring Jazz I and Jazz II student combos at the Kane Gazebo starting at 6:30 PM.
2026 Jazz Performance Schedule:
Jazz I Session (July 15–25)
· Wednesday, July 15: Opening Night: “Swing Into Summer” (7:00 PM)
· Thursday, July 16 & Friday, July 17: “Swing, Blues and Big Band Jazz” (7:00 PM)
· Saturday, July 18: “Swing Into Summer” (3:00 PM Matinee)
· Wednesday, July 22: “The Joy of Swing Volume I” (7:00 PM)
· Thursday, July 23: “The Sounds and Styles of Big Band Jazz” (7:00 PM)
· Friday, July 24: “The Sounds and Styles of Big Band Jazz” (3:00 PM Matinee)
· Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 PM: Big Band Jazz I Family Concert – A free concert featuring student performers.
· Saturday, July 25: “The Joy of Swing Volume I” (7:00 PM Finale)
Jazz II Session (July 29–August 8)
· Wednesday, July 29: Opening Night: “The Joy of Swing Volume II” (7:00 PM)
· Thursday, July 30 & Friday, July 31: “Big Band Jazz – Summer Favorites” (7:00 PM)
· Saturday, August 1: “The Joy of Swing Volume II” (3:00 PM Matinee)
· Wednesday, August 5: “Jazz and Big Band in the Barn” (7:00 PM)
· Thursday, August 6: “Celebrating Big Band Jazz” (7:00 PM)
· Friday, August 7: “Celebrating Big Band Jazz” (3:00 PM Matinee)
· Saturday, August 8 at 1:00 PM: Big Band Jazz II Family Concert – A free concert featuring student performers.
· Saturday, August 8: “Jazz and Big Band in the Barn” (7:00 PM Finale)
In addition to the Barn series, the Birch Creek Jazz Ambassadors, a dynamic student combo, will perform various outreach concerts throughout Door County, bringing the spirit of the Academy to the wider community. Check the Birch Creek website for the Jazz Ambassadors schedule. Tickets are available online at BirchCreek.org/Tickets or by phone at (920) 868-3763. Prices are $37 for adults, $12 for students, and $8 for children (ages 11 and under), with premium seating available for $52 in the front-center section. Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more. For the full concert schedule, visit BirchCreek.org/Tickets. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4 PM. The Box Office is open on concert nights from 5:30–7:30 PM.
Celebrating its 51st season, Birch Creek Music Performance Center is Door County’s unique summer music venue and residential music academy located in Egg Harbor, WI. With a performance emphasis, academy students are taught by nationally known performers and educators during the day and perform alongside them in concerts at night. Four sessions are offered each summer: Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music; Symphony; and two Big Band Jazz sessions. In mid-August, enrichment opportunities for adult musicians are offered through Wind Ensemble, Chamber Music, and Piano Retreats. A Fall Concert Series runs September – December. Proceeds from all Birch Creek events and concerts provide support for Birch Creek students.
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