Egg Harbor, Wis. (June 23, 2026) – Birch Creek Music Performance Center continues its 2026 season with the Symphony Session, presenting six concerts from July 2–11 in the historic Dutton Concert Barn. Under the direction of Taka Matsunaga, the 90-piece Birch Creek Symphony Orchestra features advanced student musicians performing alongside a professional faculty orchestra, showcasing the power of mentorship and elite orchestral performance.
Thursday, July 2 will see music fill the air as the Symphony Session opens with Clampitt Concerto Competition winners David Wurl (French horn) and Nathan Freeland (cello). Wurl and Freeland will join the full orchestra to perform pieces by Gregson and Dvořák. The Friday, July 3 concert will feature music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Poulenc, and Tchaikovsky, including a performance of Poulenc’s Sonata for Flute and Orchestra featuring faculty soloist Shannon Finney.
The holiday weekend features a special matinee on Saturday, July 4: “America at 250: A Symphonic Celebration.” Conductor Taka Matsunaga leads the orchestra in patriotic favorites by John Philip Sousa and Morton Gould. The concert begins at 3:00 PM, preceded by Birch Creek’s traditional free pie and ice cream social at 2:00 PM.
The second week of the series offers evening masterpieces and a special family event:
- Thursday, July 9 at 7:00 PM: Movement, Magic, & Mastery –Featuring piano faculty soloist Jodie DeSalvo performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, alongside works by Humperdinck and Falla.
- Friday, July 10 at 7:00 PM: Legends, Lullabies, & Mystery – An evening of evocative storytelling through symphonic masterpieces by Glinka, Ravel, and Elgar.
- Saturday, July 11 at 1:00 PM: Symphony Family Concert – A free concert in Juniper Hall featuring inspired student performers sharing chamber music they have mastered during their time at Birch Creek. This event is sponsored by the Town of Egg Harbor.
- Saturday, July 11 at 7:00 PM: Symphony Session Finale – The culminating performance of the 2026 Symphony Session. Featured composers include Smetana, Ravel, Tchaikovsky, and Elgar.
Note: All evening concerts are preceded by a 6:20 PM student prelude in the Kane Gazebo courtyard.
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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