Please join us for a free community concert in beautiful Kollen Park! Tonight’s concert features a special performance by Evan Talsma, winner of this year’s Henry P. VanderLinde Award. He will be our saxophone soloist, playing “Girl With the Flaxen Hair” by Debussy with the Band.

Evan is a sophomore at Central Michigan University, where his pursuing a double major in music education and music performance.

Evan credits grandmother Wanda Michmerhuizen (clarinet) for introducing him to the Legion Band, where he has played for the last three summers. According to Evan, “I love the weekly concerts because I get to play with so many experienced people. I’ve made a lot of great connections and done some networking. I also like having a goal to strive for each week.”

Evan loves the creativity and freedom of music. One of his favorite pieces is the challenging “Pequeña Czarda” by Pedro Iturralde. “It’s a unique piece with a lot of difficult technique on the sax,” he says.

Congratulations, Evan! We are thrilled to welcome you to the stage, and wish you the best as you pursue a career in music education.