Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College’s upcoming concert, American Indian Expressions, features Chickasaw classical composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate. The in-person concert is set for 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 16 at the VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education on the TCC Southeast Campus.

Tate combines Chickasaw and other Native American elements with European musical instruments to create his compositions. He expresses his Native American identity through the medium of fine art. Signature Symphony will also welcome soprano Jana McIntyre as a featured guest artist, performing a work inspired by a Navajo doctor’s experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This concert is truly an immersive experience with audience members hearing the music and hearing from the composer himself. As the Signature Symphony musicians play several of Tate’s pieces, he will discuss his composition style and provide insight as to his creative process,” says Kelly Clark, Dean of Visual and Performing Arts at TCC.

Tate has received numerous commissions and his works have been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C., Detroit Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and nearly a dozen more. In addition, two of his original compositions, Shakamaxon and Oktibihah, were adapted for an episode of HBO’s Westworld.

On Saturday, Nov. 6, the Signature Quartet and Tulsa Opera Signature Chorale, formerly the Signature Chorale, present An Oklahoma Journey. Signature Symphony will resume traditional, full orchestra performances with Christmas in Tulsa, featuring long-time collaborator Scott Coulter and showcasing Tulsa Sings! performers and finish the season with three concerts developed by the artistic director finalists Scott Seaton, Alejandro Gómez Guillén, and Robert Franz in Spring 2022.

The 2021-2022 season is sponsored by TTCU Federal Credit Union. Tickets for the concerts in Oct. and Nov. are $20 for general admission. Attendance will be limited to allow for physical distancing. Tickets for the full-orchestra concerts will go on sale in time for the holidays with packages and individual tickets available. Due to public health guidelines or TCC policy, the season schedule is subject to change.

This project is supported in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Oklahoma and the National Endowment for the Arts.