NMC Concert Band Delivers Seasonal Program, Strengthens Local Arts Access

On Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM the Northwestern Michigan College Concert Band presented its Christmas concert in the Traverse City West Senior High School Auditorium. The program featured a selection of seasonal favorites conducted by Patricia J. Brumbaugh with contributions from local guest conductors. Tickets were available at the door and could be purchased in advance with discounts, and the event was promoted as family friendly and as part of NMC's ongoing community arts offerings.

The concert illustrates how a community college can extend its educational mission beyond the classroom by providing public cultural programming. Holding the performance in a public high school auditorium reflects a practical collaboration between higher education and K 12 facilities, which can stretch public resources while creating shared civic space. Ticket discounts and on site sales indicate an effort to balance revenue needs with audience access, an approach that affects who can participate in local cultural life.

For residents, the immediate benefit was an accessible holiday program that invited families and community members to gather and celebrate seasonal music. For policymakers and institutional leaders, the event raises considerations about sustaining such offerings. Community bands and college arts programs often rely on modest ticket revenue supplemented by institutional support. Decisions about budget priorities at the college and school district level, along with county arts funding, shape the long term availability of similar events.

The involvement of local guest conductors also has civic implications. It creates pathways for local musicians and educators to engage with broader audiences, supports local talent development, and reinforces the cultural ties between institutions and residents. As Grand Traverse County plans its cultural and educational budgets for the coming year, events like this one provide concrete examples of how public institutions contribute to civic life and community cohesion.

The concert on December 13 stands as a reminder that sustaining arts access requires coordination among colleges, schools, and local government, as well as continued attention to affordability for attendees.