News

Big Band Booked In Brussels

By Door County Pulse, May 28th, 2026

_{The Swingin’ Door Big Band. File photo.}

Big band favorites, swing-era classics and traditional jazz are on the docket for the Southern Door Community Auditorium, which is hosting a free concert by the Swingin’ Door Big Band.

The show is set for Thursday, June 25, at 7 pm, at the auditorium, 2073 Cty DK in Brussels.

Donations will be accepted, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the auditorium’s Arts in Education programs and Door County student music scholarships. 

Founded in 2019 by music director Jason Palmer and his wife, Jamie, the Swingin’ Door Big Band is a sister ensemble of the Peninsula Symphonic Band. Since its inception, the band has distributed over $8,000 in scholarships to student and adult musicians across Door County. 

The Swingin’ Door Big Band features nearly 20 musicians, ranging from high school students to seasoned professionals. Vocalists Jamie Palmer, Claire Morkin and Donna Ruzicka perform together as Company B, an Andrews Sisters-inspired trio that joins the band for select performances.

For more information, visit peninsulasymphonicband.org or contact peninsulasymphonicband@gmail.com.

Students Awarded Band Camp Scholarships

By Door County Pulse, Peninsula Pulse — May 21st, 2026

_{The Peninsula Symphonic Band. File photo.}

The Peninsula Symphonic Band and the Swingin’ Door Big Band selected six Door County middle and high school musicians to receive $250 summer band camp scholarships for 2026. 

The scholarships are designed to offset tuition costs and fuel the development of young musicians across the peninsula. This year’s scholarship recipients are Abby Rock at Sevastopol, Alex Anderson at Sturgeon Bay, Clara Carrier at Gibraltar, Cora Herbst at Sturgeon Bay, Lauren Gaida at Sevastopol and Maxim Reifsnyder at Gibraltar.

Applicants submitted a completed application, a 250-word essay describing what they hoped to gain from band camp and a recommendation from their school’s band director. This year’s recipients will attend camps at Birch Creek, University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW-Whitewater.

The scholarship program is sustained through proceeds from Peninsula Symphonic Band and Swingin’ Door Big Band performances. For more information, contact peninsulasymphonicband@gmail.com or 920.896.2902.

Swingin’ Door Big Band Plays Door County Auditorium

By Door County Pulse, May 14th, 2026

_{The Swingin’ Door Big Band. File photo.}

The Swingin’ Door Big Band will take the stage at Door County Auditorium (DCA) for the first time this summer. 

The free concert will take place on Thursday, June 18, at 7 pm, at DCA,  3926 Hwy 42 in Fish Creek.

The program will feature big-band favorites, swing-era classics and traditional jazz. Donations will be accepted, with a portion of the proceeds supporting scholarships for area music students. 

Founded in 2019 by music director Jason Palmer and his wife, Jamie, the Swingin’ Door Big Band is a sister ensemble of the Peninsula Symphonic Band. Since its inception, the band has distributed over $8,000 in scholarships to student and adult musicians across Door County. 

The Swingin’ Door Big Band features nearly 20 musicians, ranging from high school students to seasoned professionals. Vocalists Jamie Palmer, Claire Morkin and Donna Ruzicka perform together as Company B, an Andrews Sisters-inspired trio that joins the band for select performances and brings an extra layer of vintage charm.

For more information about the Swingin’ Door Big Band or this performance, visit peninsulasymphonicband.org or contact peninsulasymphonicband@gmail.com or 920.896.2902.