The Marquette Symphony Orchestra is trading in tuxedos for ten-gallon hats for a summer pops concert.
Music Director and Principal Conductor Octavio Más-Arocas stopped by our studio to preview the MSO’s upcoming outdoor concert, Pops in the Park: The Symphony Goes Wild, Wild West, happening Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marquette Commons (with a rain date scheduled for Friday, July 11).
“We wanted to offer a new spin on the patriotic summer concert tradition,” Más-Arocas explained. “The ‘Wild West’ is a uniquely American theme, full of cultural and musical references—from frontier folklore to film and TV scores.”
The program will include music from "The Magnificent Seven," "The Wild Wild West," and classic Americana such as "Hoe-Down" by Aaron Copland, "Orange Blossom Special," and Calvin Custer’s "American Frontier." Audiences will also be invited to sing along with songs like "God Bless America" and "The Star-Spangled Banner."
While the concert celebrates American heritage through familiar tunes, Más-Arocas emphasizes the storytelling element woven throughout the program. “Each piece tells a story—not just historically, but also personally. I hope it sparks memories and conversations in the audience.”
Listen to Kurt Hauswirth's conversation with Octavio:
The outdoor pops concert has become a cherished summer tradition in Marquette. Though the usual venue at Presque Isle’s bandshell is undergoing work, the Marquette Commons provides a welcoming downtown alternative. The MSO recommends that you bring a chair and/or a blanket, as it’s all about enjoying music together as a community.
Looking ahead, Más-Arocas also gave a preview of the upcoming 2025–26 MSO season, beginning October 4 with a jazz-inflected program featuring Shostakovich and Gershwin. Highlights include a John Williams film music celebration (January 17), selections from Bizet’s Carmen (March 7), and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony to close the season on April 11.
More information is available at marquettesymphony.org.
