Music - The Eastern Echo

Adam Riccinto, the music director and founder of the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra, is wearing all black clothing and glasses as he stands on a stage facing the audience. Standing behind him and also facing the audience are the members of the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra, who are likewise all dressed in black. Riccinto stands to the right of a conductor's podium.

Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra opens 2026-27 season Oct. 4

By Allie Beecher · Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

On Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra will open its 2026-2027 season, "Playing Favorites."

A room with a few high-top tables and chairs. Two podcast studio rooms can be seen on the right wall.

EMU Archives receives $30k for music preservation project

By Lauren Holloway · Monday, Sept. 21, 2026

Eastern Michigan University Archives received a grant to work on a Michigan music project.

Photo of a brick building with a green roof set behind sidewalk and a parking lot.

U-M Musical Society launches biannual Ypsilanti Freighthouse residency

By Lelaina MacDonald · Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

The University of Michigan Musical Society has its biannual residency at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse this September with many events and performances.

Inside of a store that has shelves of books to the right, movies and CDs in the center, and t-shirts on the left.

Local record shop Wyrd Byrd strengthens music-loving community in Ypsilanti

By Hannah Borders · Sunday, June 21, 2026

Wyrd Byrd is an independently owned record store in downtown Ypsilanti that sells a variety of products and hosts music-centered events.

Fred Hammond sits on stage in front of a microphone in a snapback hat, black t-shirt and grey jeans with multiple background performers surrounding him in matching white tops and blue jeans.

Ypsilanti to honor Juneteenth with 3-day celebration

By Laleh Walker · Thursday, June 18, 2026

From June 19-21, 2026, Ypsilanti will celebrate its sixth annual Juneteenth celebration, Juneteenth Rising: Liberation Through Unity, at University Bank in downtown Ypsilanti.

A vendor tent features body care products. A vendor uses their device to ring up customers while a group of attendees look at the items for sale.

What's the Move? June 16-23

By Gray Connor · Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Looking for something to do this week? Whether it is arts, music, comedy or culture, there is something for all in Ypsilanti.

Small flags are stuck into the grass with every color of the rainbow, including black and brown, in the shape of a Pride flag.

5 local ways to celebrate Pride Month in Ypsilanti

By Laleh Walker · Monday, June 1, 2026

Throughout the month of June, Ypsilanti will host events ranging from Y2K cookouts to space raves and beyond, providing diverse ways for the community to celebrate Pride Month.

What's the Move? May 19-25

By Lilly Kujawski · Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Here's what's happening in and around Ypsilanti from May 19-25, 2026.

A building with white column-style architecture is located next to greenery and trees and contains the words "Frederic H. Pease Auditorium."

What's the Move? May 12-18

By Allie Beecher · Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Get the scoop on what's happening in and around Ypsilanti from May 12-18, 2026.

A red brick wall with a circular black sign hanging on it. There are four lines of white print on the sign. The first says "Ypsilanti, MI." The second says "Water," the third says "Tower," and the fourth says "Distilling Co." All of the letters on the sign are capitalized.

What's the Move? May 5-11

By Allie Beecher · Tuesday, May 5, 2026

From musical performances to blues jams to play auditions, there are several events coming up in Ypsilanti.

A square-shaped building made of gray-colored wood with a brown-colored panel running across its middle. There are several windows, and the door to the building is purple. In one of the windows is a Black Lives Matter sign. A few bikes are parked in front of the building, and a sign in the foreground says "Ozone House Entrance." Overhead, the sky is a shade of pale blue.

What's the Move? April 21-27

By Allie Beecher · Monday, April 20, 2026

Get the scoop on what's happening in Ypsilanti from April 21-27, 2026.

White-painted storefront with large windows and a green and red awning above the entrance. Vinyl records hang in the window with a sign reading "Wyrd Byrd."

What's the Move? April 14-21

By Allie Beecher · Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Looking for something to do? Check out this list of Ypsilanti events happening April 14-21, 2026.

Eastern Michigan University remembers Jennifer Fisher, School of Music and Dance professor

By AnnaBelle Favre · Sunday, March 22, 2026

Jennifer Fisher, a professor of piano at Eastern Michigan University, died March 18, 2026. She is remembered by her students and colleagues as a kind, good-hearted person.

People clap and smile as Nate Ford, Art Timko, and James Smith hold oversized scissors and cut the green ribbon.

WEMU celebrates new office in Halle Library

By Gray Connor · Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026

Halle Library will now house WEMU, NPR's local jazz, blues and news station.

A skeleton holds a green woman, surrounded by pink hearts and white sparkles. The skeleton has a sword and arrows in its shoulder and is bleeding.

Ziggy's to host Valentine's Day show for the broken hearted

By Gray Connor · Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

Cult of Space Skull, Zzvava, Sonic Smut and the Detroit Party Marching Band set to conquer love at Ziggy's on Feb. 13, 2026.

Pie chart of the top music artists for 2025 at EMU from largest to smallest: Drake 22.3%, Daniel Ceasar 11.1%, Ariana Grande 7.4%, Pierce the Veil 7.4%, Tate McRae 7.4%, Tyler the Creator 7.4%, NBA YoungBoy 7.4%, Hozier 7.4%, Bruno Mars 7.4%, Conan Gray 7.4%.

Eastern Michigan University students' top music artists of 2025

By Gray Connor · Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

Get the scoop on what Eastern Michigan University students were listening to in 2025.

Corner of a historical brown brick building with brown trim and glass windows. To the right of the building is a sign that reads "Rhizome Roots" with an arrow pointing to the right.

Rhizome Roots Studio fosters community with monthly open-mic nights

By Lauren Holloway · Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026

Rhizome Roots Studio in Ypsilanti welcomes residents to open mic nights each first Friday of the month.

A parking lot and the front entrance of a building. The center part of the building is made of bricks, and there is a large circular window above the glass doors.

What's the Move? Jan. 20-26

By Allie Beecher · Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026

From anime conventions to live music events to board game nights, there is always something to do in Ypsilanti.

Ypsilanti night spots feature several open mic events near the EMU campus

By Ky'anna Coats · Friday, Jan. 16, 2026

Looking to showcase a talent in front of an audience? Check out one of these open mic nights in Ypsilanti.

A beginner's guide to vinyl

By Lilly Kujawski · Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025

Vinyl lovers are expected to line up at their favorite independent record stores for the annual Black Friday Record Store Day on Nov. 28, 2025.