The Monroe County Community College/Community Symphony Band will launch the Epochs of the Great Lakes -- a five-year initiative to commission original compositions from guest composers with Michigan roots -- with the world premiere of a composition by Chris Evan Hass titled "Electric Ascension."
The performance will take place on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater at Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd. The performance is free and open to the public.
The performance will be proceeded by a wine and cheese reception from 5:30-7 p.m. in Room 259 of the La-Z-Boy Center, which is located just off the atrium. The reception is free and open to public.
Epochs of the Great Lakes is commissioned and funded by The Foundation at Monroe County Community College and made possible through the generosity of donors and the support of The Foundation's Cultural Enrichment Endowment.
"Each composition in this bold and visionary five-year initiative is written specifically for, and performed by, the MCCC College/Community Symphonic Band," said Josh Myers, executive director of The Foundation at MCCC.
Each piece in the collection serves as a musical time capsule, capturing a distinct era in the state's rich and ever-evolving history, he said. In Hass's composition, "Electric Ascension," Michigan’s industrial ascent takes center stage, with driving rhythms and mechanical motifs reflecting the innovation, ingenuity and prosperity of the automotive boom and the state’s critical role as the "Arsenal of Democracy."
Hass is a self-described "composer, arranger, conductor, and friend." The Ann Arbor native's music is marked by rhythmic complexity and luscious harmonies. It has been performed by members of the New York Philharmonic, U.S. Naval Academy Band, Sinta Quartet, Dallas Winds, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, U.S. Army Band, Eastman Saxophone Project and U.S. Air Force Band. His compositions have also been performed at prestigious conferences including the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Texas Music Educator’s Association Conference, and the Indonesia Orchestra and Ensemble Festival. As a prominent voice in the saxophone and brass community, Hass's chamber works are frequently featured at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and have become staples at instrumental showcases like the International Trombone Festival, World Saxophone Congress and the International Trumpet Guild.
As an educator, he has traveled internationally to rehearse and conduct ensembles ranging from 6th grade beginning bands to collegiate and professional ensembles. He teaches private composition and low brass lessons, music theory courses, and has given presentations on composition, networking, and freelancing at universities across the United States.
Hass holds a master's degree in composition from Central Michigan University and a bachelor's degree in composition from Western Michigan University. He currently resides in Jackson with his wife, son, and three dogs.
Future "Epochs of the Great Lakes" compositions will include:
- 2026: A powerful tribute by Frank Duarte to Michigan’s Indigenous peoples, honoring their cultural legacy and enduring harmony with the natural beauty of the Great Lakes region. A title is not yet available.
- 2027: "Michigan Fever" by Elena Specht, spotlighting the era of early European settlement and frontier life -- an age of resilience, exploration and conflict -- depicting the struggle to tame a rugged wilderness.
- 2028: An examination of the cultural and social turbulence of the post-industrial late 20th century, weaving themes of protest, reinvention, urban decayand environmental reckoning. Composer and title are not yet available.
- 2029: "Rebirth" by Scott Boerma, a celebration of the renewal of Michigan as a dynamic and diverse state continually reinventing itself with creativity and purpose.
"Together," Myers said, "these works form a powerful musical narrative that echoes across time, honoring Michigan’s legacy while looking boldly toward its future."
The College and Community Symphony Band is made up of nearly 100 members consisting of MCCC students and members of the community, many of whom have been with the band for many years.
Mark B. Felder is in his 33rd year directing the band at MCCC. He was the band director of the award-winning Jefferson High School Band for 29 years.
For the performance of Electric Ascension, the band will feature by Paul Johnson, baritone saxophone, and Conrad Cornelison, bassoon.
Cornelison joined the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as principal bassoon in 2022. Since 2017, he has served with the Jacksonville Symphony in the same position.
About The Foundation at Monroe County Community College
The Foundation at Monroe County Community College is the charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the educational and cultural experience of our students and community. The Foundation at MCCC leverages voluntary support from donors to enhance the educational, literary, scientific, and cultural experience by helping Monroe County Community College meet its mission. The Foundation at MCCC touches thousands of lives each year through cultural arts programs, scholarships, and educational initiatives that guide and shape the business and civic leaders of tomorrow. Just as important, The Foundation offers a means for individuals of all ages and walks of life to express their philanthropy, act on their concerns, and follow the dictates of their hearts. For more information about The Foundation at MCCC visit //www.monroeccc.edu/foundation.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college’s mission is to enrich and transform lives by providing opportunities and excellence in higher education. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave.,Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu