Meet Doug Burtch

Doug Burtch’s fascination with the carnival began as a child, when he was four or five years old, and his backyard opened up to a fairgrounds park where an annual county fair carnival was held. “The fair was quite literally in my backyard; I really wasn’t as interested in the animals as much as I loved all of the rides and equipment. It was a different time back then, and my mother would pack me a lunch, I would pedal my bike to the fairgrounds, and sit and watch them all day as they set up. At home, I would play ‘carnival’ with all of my Tonka trucks and toys, setting up and tearing down. I was just enamored with all of it, the lights, the rides, the music, and the fun.”

In his early teens, Doug visited the carnival owner and told him he wanted to get into the carnival business. “He told me emphatically, ‘No, you don’t!’ But, thankfully, I didn’t listen; I got a job in an elephant ear stand when I was 16 anyway. It became my summer job and, several years later, that same owner — Ivan Arnold of Arnold Amusements — helped me finance my first carnival ride, a 1965 Scrambler. I started with that one and then continued to buy more until I built the operation I have now, which includes rides, games, and food concession stands. We operate in Michigan from late April through early October, visiting a new city every week for 25 weeks. It’s a lot of work and fun, but, in a way, you could say, I’m definitely living out my childhood dream.”

But Doug’s dreams aren’t focused solely on his traveling carnival. Born in Bay City, Doug grew up in Standish and became involved in music early on while attending Standish-Sterling Central High School. “It’s pretty common for music students to be inspired by their high school band director, and I wasn’t any different. I wanted to do what he did — and I actually did, for a while! During my undergrad studies at Saginaw Valley State University, I returned to Standish-Sterling Central and worked as the Assistant Director of Bands. It was an invaluable experience, albeit somewhat daunting at first. Still, I was able to apply what I was learning at the university immediately while working with the students in Standish. I was able to see if what worked in theory worked in practice and, in turn, what didn’t, and I’m forever grateful for that experience.”

After graduating with degrees in music education and psychology, Doug continued his work in the amusement business and music. He also pursued his graduate degree at Central Michigan University, where he worked as a graduate assistant in the band department. However, he still felt that his musical home was as a high school band director. “My Band Director at SVSU said I would one day be a college professor, but it didn’t really interest me, and I wasn’t sure I was good enough. I enjoyed the work I was doing at Standish-Sterling at the time, and although college was interesting, I really enjoyed all of the performances and learning that took place at the middle and high schools. I have continued to stay connected with the music program that gave me my start in Standish — I even helped design their auditorium, and I return each year to work with the students as they prepare for big performances. But, during my time in college and the immediate years that followed, I was more focused on developing my carnival business.”

Doug believes that sometimes life is as simple as being at the right place at the right time — as it was when he started working in the University of Michigan-Flint’s Music program. An event cancellation for his carnival in late August of 2021 and a recent change in staffing at UM-Flint opened the window for Doug to join the faculty. “Music professor, Brian DiBlassio, called me because he knew of my work with the Genesee Wind Symphony and asked me if I was available to serve temporarily as the band director. I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into! I started the semester a couple of weeks late with just 11 students in the wind symphony class; by the third week, there were 20 of us, all wearing masks (the COVID pandemic was still hanging on), trying to figure out how to play these instruments with these masks on, and that was that, a rather unique beginning — and we never looked back.”

In addition to his work as a music professor and the Director of the Music Education and band programs, Doug is also the faculty advisor for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), a student organization for UM-Flint’s future music educators. “The general camaraderie in that group is phenomenal; we travel to the state conference in Grand Rapids every year, and to see our students engaged as young professionals, and see them grow and develop as future teachers, is exciting.”

It’s Doug’s work with the faculty and students that keeps him engaged and looking forward to what’s next at UM-Flint. “We have some of the brightest and best students; they have a tremendous work ethic and goals. They keep me young! I feel like they teach me as much as I teach them, and I look forward to walking in each day and working with them. Our department is a bit different than others in that we have had to continue to be engaged with the campus and the community, even throughout a pandemic, just because of the nature of the arts and music, and how it brings people together.”

One of Doug’s highlights while at UM-Flint was the annual MusiCollage event, produced by the music program. However, for the first time, Doug spearheaded the production at the historic Flint landmark, Whiting Auditorium, in March 2025. “It was a huge undertaking for myself, my colleagues, and our administrative team. We all worked together to make it happen for the students — it was their night, their experience, and watching them react to being part of that production, on a stage like the Whiting, was truly memorable. We received an incredible response from the community, and we’re looking forward to offering this event each year.”

Overall, Doug is excited to see more community connection to music events, with some, such as the annual Tuba Christmas at the Flint Farmers’ Market, taking off. Local tuba enthusiasts can meet at the UM-Flint campus in the morning of the event to practice together, and then walk over to the market for the afternoon performance, which has become standing-room-only.

“I think that many of the younger people in the community, and many others who have grown up with Flint experiencing economic hardship and issues such as the Water Crisis, weren’t as aware of how robust and historic our arts and innovation are in this city, and I am thrilled to be part of building and celebrating that in our community.

“I always think if Chicago, Detroit, or Ann Arbor can have these flourishing arts communities, why not Flint? We have a lot of infrastructure to build on, and a community that truly cares deeply about music; so, while it is challenging, it is exciting at the same time. And I love being part of it.”

Flint Fave

Genesee Wind Symphony. “This was actually founded on UM-Flint’s campus, roughly 45 years ago. It truly is a cultural gem in the Flint area. When it moved off the campus, it didn’t have a home for a while, but now we rehearse and perform in the wonderful Swartz Creek Performing Arts Center. We’ve been growing our audience through performances and social media, and it’s a phenomenal asset to the community.”