On February 17, 2007, the family folk band, White Water, combined talents with the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts at Michigan Technological University.

Hailing from Amasa, Mich, about 50 miles south of Houghton, the Premo family (Bette, Dean, Laurel and Evan)have kept alive traditional folk music, adapted and adopted more contemporary folk music of the Great Lakes, and composed their own memorable works as well. Visit their site (http://www.white-water-associates.com)for a more extensive introduction. Over the last decade and a half, their performances have given those of us who love their music the chance to watch Evan and Laurel grow up before our eyes.

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Milton Olsson, is one of the premiere small town orchestras in America. Few communities the size of Houghton can support a symphony orchestra, but we are proud we do.

The evening started with the orchestra's performance of the informal U.P. "national anthem," "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius. White Water, supported by the orchestra, performed such U.P. favorites as "Keweenaw Light" and "Windigo." A number of individual pieces followed. Evan was solo bassist for a piece with the orchestra, and then Evan took the baton to lead the orchestra in a piece he and Laurel wrote, "Woodsmoke on the Wind," with Laurel on the banjo. A few more joint pieces and this magical evening was complete.

All images here are copyright 2007, Bill Fink Communications, LLC. Permission is granted for non-commercial editorial publication and personal duplication, and for commercial publication by White Water Associates, Inc. Please credit Bill Fink, GalleryOnDaLine.com.

In keeping with our standard non-profit pricing policy, 20% of the proceeds from the sale of prints and downloads will be given to the MTU Department of Visual and Performing Arts for the support of the KSO and Concert Choir.

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