NWI Symphony Conductor Kirk Muspratt “tipped his hand” earlier this month during the final concerts of the 2025 season, providing his sly tease about some of the concert programming that awaits audiences next season.
Muspratt, 71, now halfway through his two-year contract with the orchestra, celebrated his 25-year-anniversary leading the NWI Symphony.
Themed as “Pops Closer: The Music of Tina Turner,” the 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026, concert salutes music icon Turner who died at age 83 in May 2023. It will be hosted at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana and will star talents LaKisha Jones, Nova Y. Payton and Armando Imagines. Jones won over television music fans and the FOX TV “American Idol” judges when she placed fourth on the sixth season in 2007 belting out her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Think.”
I’m told music lyrics paired with images will guide audiences (ages 21 and older) on a journey through Tina Turner’s legendary musical career with songs like “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Disco Inferno,” “Proud Mary” and others for a “sentimental yet powerful” salute to the eight-time Grammy-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
The fall date has also been announced for the annual NWI Symphony Gala on Friday, Oct. 10, with the theme “Sabor Vivo!” and headliner entertainers Conjuncto combining classical training and theory with the freedom of jazz improvisation, all grounded in the lively rhythms of the Caribbean like the rumba, son, danzón, bolero and Afro-roots and then back to salsa and jazz.
The full season will be announced to the public June 15 with details at the orchestra office at 219-836-0525 or www.nisorchestra.org.
The free summer concert dates are announced, all at 7:30 p.m. with Lansing on Friday, July 18 at Fox Pointe on 18138 Henry St., Gary on Friday, July 25 at Marquette Park at 1 N. Grand Blvd., Crown Point on Saturday, July 26 on the lawn at St. Anthony – Majestic Care at the corner of Main and Franciscan, Munster July 29 at Centennial Park on Calumet Ave. at Centennial Dr., Valparaiso on Wednesday, July 30 at Central Park Plaza at 63 Lafayette St., and Griffith at Central Park at 600 N. Broad St.
Earlier this month, Muspratt’s quarter-of-a-century with the NWI Symphony was feted with the unveiling of a new South Shore Line poster featuring Muspratt as imagined by artist John Rush and sponsored by Mechanical Concepts, Inc. The posters are available in the South Shore Arts Gift Shop at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster and priced at $35 to $100 with autographed prints available.
Muspratt divides his time with his duties and assignments as both maestro for the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and also as music director of New Philharmonic Orchestra based in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, and artistic director and music director of DuPage Opera Theatre and New Philharmonic Opera, the latter as musical assignments he began in 2004.
Raised in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Muspratt will be recognized with another distinction this week for his passion and enthusiasm for music and music education by the University of Lethbridge when he is presented with an honorary degree at Spring 2025 Convocation at 9 a.m. Friday, May 30.
“Kirk Muspratt is remarkable for his unwavering commitment to make classical music accessible and enjoyable for all people,” ULethbridge Chancellor Terry Whitehead said.
“His unique approach breaks barriers and invites people, especially younger audiences, into the classical world, entertaining and educating all at once. He is richly deserving of an honorary degree.”
Muspratt said his first piano lesson with Mrs. Madeline Pinkney after his first day of school is credited with shaping his musical career path. At age 6, he participated in music festivals in the Crowsnest Pass and, at age 8, he entered festivals in Lethbridge. He joined the Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra at age 11, and after high school was accepted at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City.
He went on to study at Temple University in Philadelphia and the Vienna Conservatory. Muspratt had a summer apprenticeship with Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer academy for advanced music study.
Muspratt implemented an Orchestral Fellowship Program with Valparaiso University, and his vision helped found the South Shore Music Festival. His career has included serving as assistant conductor at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, music director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, associate conductor at the Utah Symphony Orchestra, resident conductor at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Alberta Ballet.
To view the maestro’s honorary degree ceremony for free go online: https://www.ulethbridge.ca/unews/article/spreading-joy-classical-music-and-inspiring-youth-kirk-muspratt-be-recognized-honorary
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and weekly radio host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at philpotempa@gmail.com.
