MONROE, Wis. — Sam Copeland, a 2023 New Glarus High School graduate, will return to southern Wisconsin with the Purdue Varsity Glee Club for a 7:30 p.m. concert Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Monroe Arts Center. The performance will include a tribute inspired by the Swiss musical traditions Copeland grew up around in New Glarus.

Copeland is now a senior at Purdue University, where he studies biochemistry, conducts research and serves as student manager of the roughly 75-member Glee Club. He said the return feels especially meaningful because music was woven through his childhood in New Glarus — from church performances and recitals to polka music at local festivals and his years in New Glarus High School choirs, band and jazz band.

“Returning to the New Glarus area is a full-circle moment for me,” Copeland said. “I would not be where I am today if not for my foundations in southern Wisconsin.”

Those foundations include voice instruction from Diane Bettin and Renee Setterstrom, piano instruction from Carolyn Hilliard and years of school music. Copeland said New Glarus High School gave him the chance to pursue as many musical opportunities as he wanted, particularly madrigal, vocal jazz, band and jazz band, while still allowing him to imagine a future outside music as a profession.