About The Bijou Orchestra

The Bijou Orchestra, operated by Bay Musical Arts, Inc., was established in 2003 to be Bay County’s first professional performing organization and remains its only non-profit professional institution. The founders wanted an ensemble unique in the tri-cities so that the Bay Area community would have an individual artistic identity that would contribute to community self-esteem, enhance educational opportunities in the arts for people of all ages, and support cultural tourism in Bay County. At the same time, their ultimate goal was to create a professional touring orchestra capable of performing on a regional and ultimately, national level.

The thirteen-piece Bijou is modeled on the orchestras found in American theaters in the first part of the 20th century and is the only ensemble of its kind in the country producing a regular concert series. Our core repertoire is composed of the thousands of arrangements that were created between 1890 and 1935 for use by the pit bands of “legit,” vaudeville and silent movie theaters across the country. In addition to the “classics,” there is an immense catalog of American popular music that begins with the marches of Sousa and Pryor, extending through Ragtime, the songs and dances of Tin Pan Alley, and jazz.

Exceptional musicians are required to play this music well. Our players travel from many places in order to practice this highly difficult musical form. While most of them have extensive professional orchestral experience, such capabilities are only part of what the job requires. Virtually every Bijou concert includes music from the classical, ragtime and early jazz eras, all performed from original orchestrations. Then, depending on the program, players will be asked to perform repertoire appropriate to the theme which means everything from Baroque to klezmer to Europop and even country. And they do them all well. It is this stylistic versatility coupled with technical virtuosity that makes a successful member of The Bijou.

The Bijou has toured extensively in Michigan, with performances in Grand Rapids, Flint, Jackson, Saginaw, Frankenmuth, and several programs in Pigeon in the thumb. In July 2005 the Bijou was invited to Canada as featured performers on DiscDrive, the nationally broadcast afternoon drive time program produced by CBC Channel 2. In December 2008, the orchestra was to have made its premiere at the DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS in a program that has now been postponed. In August, we will perform at the TRAVERSE CITY FILM FESTIVAL. . Our recording, American Fantasy, Gems from the American Theater Orchestra Tradition was recorded and engineered in Ann Arbor, and has been heard on public radio stations throughout Michigan and northern Ohio.

In addition to the players, the Bijou selects outstanding soloists for its programs. Singers during the past few seasons included artists from New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Orlando in addition to our focus on outstanding Michigan singers.

Part of the mission statement for Bay Musical Arts, Inc. reads: “…to enhance educational opportunities in the arts for people of all ages.” The Bijou Orchestra has an exceptional relationship with students in the region. More than 600 students have performed with the orchestra in Holiday Pops concerts, and another 20 have appeared as soloists with The Bijou as a result of winning the Broadway Bound! Competition. Bijou guest soloists have presented workshops to more than 500 students and orchestra members have been artists-in-residence at a number of area schools.