Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

MARQUETTE -- With approximately 80 members from the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan and Wisconsin, the Marquette Symphony Orchestra is, once again, starting strong for its 14th season.

Maestro Jacob Chi is in his second year of conducting the orchestra and says this year's performance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 and Elgar's Cello Concerto is sure to entertain the audience.

“When they leave the concert, they will whistle all the tunes they hear,” says Chi.

The full orchestra is made up of stringed, woodwind, and percussion instruments.  The majority of the orchestra is adults with high school student interns as well.

“The Marquette Symphony is just as good as any community orchestra anywhere.  We have a lot to be proud of.  There are fabulous musicians that play in this group, and the cooperation between musicians and the conductor is phenomenal,” says concert master and cofounder Janis Peterson.

The orchestra always rehearses the week of the concert, and more than anything, enjoy the fellowship that comes with a hobby they all enjoy.

“This is a very special orchestra,” Maestro Chi says.  “People are really into it, they really like what they do, and they're serious about it.”

“These people are great, they really are.  They're amazing musicians and amazing human beings, it's a good group,” Peterson smiles.

The Marquette Symphony Orchestra's Opening Night Gala will be this Saturday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m., at the Kaufman Auditorium in Marquette. 

Tickets are available Monday through Friday at the box office in the Superior Dome or on Saturday at the door.