Lansing Symphony Big Band

Under the direction of John Dale Smith, the Lansing Symphony Big Band made its debut in the spring of 2001 at Jambalaya’s in Laingsburg. The Band features musicians of the Lansing Symphony as well as other respected performers from throughout the state. It has been featured at several Jazz Fests in Lansing’s Old Town, 4th of July Celebrations at Oldsmobile Park and recently as part of the Lansing 150 Capitol Moves celebration on the Capitol lawn. The Band’s repertoire includes famous tunes of the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s by composers like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cole Porter and George Gershwin.

The Lansing Symphony Big Band is available for special events, concerts, dances and fundraisers. For information and/or booking, contact the Symphony office at 517-487-5001.

2009/2010 Big Band Concerts:

Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 3:00pm

Dart Auditorium, Lansing Community College campus

Sunday, March 7, 2010 - 3:00pm

Dart Auditorium, Lansing Community College campus

Click here to purchase tickets.

John Dale Smith

John Dale Smith is well known in the mid-Michigan area as a conductor/pianist and producer of events and musicals. In addition to his role as Director of the Lansing Symphony Big Band, he is the leader of the John Dale Quintet and co-leader of J&J Sounds. John Dale received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Bowling Green State University and a Masters Degree from Michigan State University. John Dale retired from a 28-year career at Lansing Community College where he was a full-time administrator in the Arts as well as Communications and Special Events. John Dale has served as Executive Director, Interim Managing Director and Development Director for Lansing’s BoarsHead Theater. John Dale has been the Musical Director/Pianist for musicals at BoarsHead, including Forbidden Broadway and The All Night Strut, Riverwalk Theatre, Peppermint Creek, Lansing Community College and is currently the Music Director for MSU Department of Theatre’s production of Rent. He is currently the Director of Music at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lansing and is active in many community organizations.

Lansing Symphony Big Band