Visual and Performing Arts - NMU Events and Announcements

Visual and Performing Arts

Auditions for the NMU Orchestra will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25, 4–7 p.m. in Thomas Fine Arts (TFA) room 115. 

Those planning to audition should prepare a 60–90 second technical solo or etude and a scale. 

Register for the NMU Orchestra Auditions

First Meeting and Rehearsal Schedule

• First Meeting: Thursday, Aug. 27, 4 p.m., Reynolds Recital Hall
• First Rehearsal: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 4–5:50 p.m.
• Regular Rehearsals: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4–5:50 p.m., beginning Sept. 1, 2026 

Enrollment

All orchestra members are asked to register for one of the following:

• MU116 for .5 credit 
• MU116A for 0 credit for students at their credit limit. Contact Dr. Rhyneer, brhyneer@nmu.edu, for more information. 

Concerts

• Thursday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. – Chamber Orchestra with visiting guest artists ALTAN in Reynolds Recital Hall
• Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. – Strings Only “Big String Festival” at Marquette Senior High School
• Thursday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. – Full Symphony Orchestra Final Concert in Reynolds Recital Hall

Lockers/Practice Rooms

The Music Department Office (TFA 102) checks out lockers, which are located on floor 1A.

Keyed practice rooms are available to majors. Non-majors use the open practice rooms located on floor 1A down the hall from the elevator.

Instrument Checkout

Bringing your own instrument is preferred, but a limited number of instruments (of average quality) are available for checkout on a semester basis. Contact the appropriate faculty member for availability:

• Strings: Dr. Rhyneer, brhyneer@nmu.edu
• Brass: Dr. Flaherty, mflahert@nmu.edu
• Woodwinds: Dr. Vickers, jevicker@nmu.edu; copied to Dr. Riley, striley@nmu.edu.

For questions about the NMU Orchestra or auditions, please contact Dr. Rhyneer, brhyneer@nmu.edu

Thank you for your interest!

Visual and Performing Arts

UP Focus: Kathleen Conover & Yvonne LeMire

Friday, September 25, 5 pm EST - Join us for the talk and reception

The exhibition is on display September 25 - November 7, 2026

The UP Focus is an ongoing exhibition series that highlights professional artists who are from, living in, or heavily influenced by the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. American Watercolor Society painter Kathleen Conover earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in Seattle and a Master of Arts degree from Northern Michigan University. Conover is involved with the international watercolor scene and teaches and exhibits her work all over the world, including in Qingdao, China, the “Birthplace of Watercolor.” Global travel continues to influence her award-winning paintings.

Sculptor, jeweler, and certified American Welding Society educator and inspector, Yvonne LeMire earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern Michigan University with a concentration in Sculpture and a secondary concentration in Human-Centered Design. LeMire served as a full-time Welding Instructor at NMU since 2000. LeMire’s artwork has been featured in exhibitions and commissions around the UP and beyond.

In addition to new works, the exhibition will feature a peek into the sketches of their former studio mate, Maggie Linn.

Museum Hours: 

• Monday - Wednesday: 12pm - 5pm 
• Thursday: 12pm - 8pm 
• Friday & Saturday: 12pm - 5pm 
• Sunday: Closed

Visual and Performing Arts

UP Focus: Kathleen Conover & Yvonne LeMire

September 25 - November 7, 2026

Friday, September 25, 5 pm EST - Join us for the talk and reception

The UP Focus is an ongoing exhibition series that highlights professional artists who are from, living in, or heavily influenced by the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. 

American Watercolor Society painter Kathleen Conover earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, and her Master of Arts at Northern Michigan University. Conover is involved with the international watercolor scene and teaches and exhibits her work all over the world, including in Qingdao, China, the “Birthplace of Watercolor.” Global travel continues to influence her award-winning paintings. 

Sculptor, jeweler, and certified American Welding Society educator and inspector, Yvonne LeMire earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern Michigan University with a concentration in Sculpture and a secondary concentration in Human-Centered Design. LeMire served as a full-time Welding Instructor at NMU since 2000. LeMire’s artwork has been featured in exhibitions and commissions around the UP and beyond.

In addition to new works, the exhibition will feature a peek into the sketches of their former studio mate, Maggie Linn.

Museum Hours: 

• Monday - Wednesday: 12pm - 5pm 
• Thursday: 12pm - 8pm 
• Friday & Saturday: 12pm - 5pm 
• Sunday: Closed

Visual and Performing Arts

One of the most iconic Irish folk groups in music history will be coming to NMU to perform as part of the Beaumier Heritage Concert Series on Thursday, September 17 at Reynolds Recital Hall.  Tickets can be purchased at tickets.nmu.edu. Adults are $25 in advance/$27 at the door; NMU Students and under 18 are $13 in advance/$15 at the door. 

No Irish traditional band in the last thirty years has had a wider impact on audiences throughout the world than Altan. Formed in County Donegal in 1987 by lead vocalist Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and her late husband Frankie Kennedy, the group’s music is influenced by traditional Irish language songs and tunes from Donegal. Over the course of their career, Altan has sold over a million records. 

Altan is celebrating forty years on the road, bringing their native music to world-renowned stages such as Carnagie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Dublin’s National Concert Hall as well as to the famous Glastonbury Festival, Tradfest Temple Bar in Dublin, and Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany.

Building on this history, their latest album ‘Donegal’ was released in 2024 (Compass Records) and has received widespread positive reviews. Altan has long been at the forefront of traditional Irish music, blending the raw energy of their native Donegal-fiddle style with a rare, melodic sensibility. Being the first-ever Irish traditional band signed to a major record label, Virgin Records in 1995, The Boston Globe named them “The hottest group in the Celtic realm”.

The band’s original members, lead singer and fiddler, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Ciaran Curran on bouzouki and Mark Kelly on guitar are accompanied by accordion player Martin Tourish, and their newest member, fiddler and singer, Clare Friel. 

Visual and Performing Arts

Revolve CC is an event supporting our vibrant, supportive, and collaborative community of creatives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Our mission is to energize the sustainable growth of our creative community by centering the exploration of broad creative topics, the vitality of collaboration, and opportunities for quality connections, while having fun. Open to all areas in the community, professional, hobbyist, and just appreciator, including visual art, design, music, performance and more! 

Keynotes this year include Reggie Willliams (Writer, Comedian, Actor, & I/O Psychologist) and Fabiola Lara (Illustrator, Social Media Expert for Artists & Entrepreneur).

Visual and Performing Arts

Don't miss the final Summer Concert at Reynolds!  Enjoy exceptional music performed by Department of Music faculty members Theresa Camilli, Keri Lee Pierson, and Stephanie Beinlich.

Visual and Performing Arts

We invite you to another Summer Concert at Reynolds, featuring an exciting performance by Department of Music Adjunct Instructor Patrick Booth and Vocal Instructor Keri Lee Pierson.

Visual and Performing Arts

Summer Concerts at Reynolds continue with classical guitarist Christopher Schoelen!  Join us for what is sure to be a wonderful recital.  

Visual and Performing Arts

Please join us for the next Summer Concert at Reynolds!  Patrick Booth, Adjunct Contingent Instructor for the Department of Music, will premiere a special piece that you won't want to miss.  

Visual and Performing Arts

The Summer Concerts at Reynolds series highlights the highly trained professional musicians and full-time teachers of the Department of Music.  The July 14 performance features Barbara Rhyneer and other amazing community musicians!