Swinging Candlelight Brings Jazz and Classical Music to Battle Creek

Battle Creek Symphony will turn WK Kellogg Auditorium into a candlelit concert hall next month for “Swinging Candlelight,” the orchestra’s second symphony program of the season.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the auditorium, 50 W. Van Buren St. Organizers plan to surround the stage with about 1,500 battery-operated candles, creating a warm setting for a program that moves between American classical music and the swing era. The performance is expected to run about 90 to 100 minutes.

Featured soloist Georgiy Borisov will perform Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto, a work commissioned by jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman. Borisov serves as the orchestra’s principal clarinetist in the Jim and Debbie Fletcher Chair. The evening’s program also includes Ernest Bloch’s Concerto Grosso No. 1, George Gershwin’s “Lullaby,” Goodman’s “Moonglow” and Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing.”

Tickets start at $12 for adults and $6 for students, with prices reaching $51 depending on seating. Seats may be purchased through the Music Center’s official online ticket page. The Music Center says doors and auditorium entrances will open at 6:30 p.m. for this performance.

For parking, the event page recommends the library lot in front of the auditorium or the school lot behind it. The organization’s visitor guide also notes street parking on West Van Buren Street and an ADA-accessible lot near the front entrance. Guests who need accommodations can review the Music Center’s accessibility information before arriving.

Those planning dinner around the show can consult the Music Center’s local dining guide. Because downtown parking can fill on a Saturday evening, arriving early may make both dinner and seating easier.

When and where is the concert?

“Swinging Candlelight” begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at WK Kellogg Auditorium, 50 W. Van Buren St. in Battle Creek.

How much are tickets?

Adult tickets start at $12 and student tickets at $6. Prices vary by seat and can reach $51.

What should attendees know before arriving?

Plan for a 90- to 100-minute concert, consider arriving early for parking, and use the Music Center’s visitor and accessibility guides for venue details.