By Door County Pulse, Peninsula Pulse — August 27th, 2026
Erik Torkelson (center) rehearses with the Sturgeon Bay High School Jazz Band. Submitted.
The Peninsula Symphonic Band has renamed its summer band camp scholarship program the Erik Torkelson Memorial Scholarship, honoring the memory and legacy of longtime band and board member Erik Torkelson, who died in July.
Torkelson served as saxophone section leader for the Peninsula Symphonic Band and played alto and soprano saxophone with the associated Swingin’ Door Big Band. As a music educator, he taught elementary music for 34 years in the southwest Chicago suburbs before retiring in 2015 and moving to Door County with his wife, Tara. Torkelson also sang with the Dudley Birder Chorale in Green Bay and performed in numerous vocal and instrumental ensembles throughout his life.
The scholarship now named after Torkelson helps Door County instrumental students in grades 7 through 11 attend summer band camp to improve their playing skills and musicianship. Applications open each spring, with details to be announced closer to the mid-April deadline.
Donations in Erik’s memory may be made directly to the scholarship fund by mail at PO Box 84, Sturgeon Bay, WI, 54235, or online at peninsulasymphonicband.org/support.
peninsulasymphonicband.org 