Good News newsletter

ONLINE RESOURCES

CLASSICAL MUSIC for EVERYONE

westmichigansymphony.org theblockwestmichigan.org

SOCIAL COMMUNITY

360 W. Western Ave. Suite 200 Muskegon, MI 49440

GOOD NEWS

/wmsymphony /AtTheBlock

WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY

@westmisymphony

YOUR INBOX

FESTIVAL SEASON OPENING! Get all the latest and greatest about upcoming concerts and special events.

ON THE ROAD WITH CLICK CLACK MOOSIC

Visit westmichigansymphony.org/contact

FIND US

2017/18 SEASON FINANCIAL RESULTS

West Michigan Symphony 360 W Western Ave, Suite 200 Muskegon, MI 49440 231.726.3231

The Block 360 W Western Ave, 2nd Floor Muskegon, MI 49440 231.726.3231

WHAT’S NEXT SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER

SYMPHONY Festival Season Opening Friday • September 28 • 7:30 pm The Frauenthal Theater Tickets: $24-60 • Student tickets $10 Scheherazade Showcase Friday • November 2 • 7:30 pm The Frauenthal Theater Tickets: $24-60 • Student tickets $10 Home for the Holidays Friday • December 14 • 7:30 pm The Frauenthal Theater Tickets: $28-64 • Student tickets $10

THE BLOCK Organissimo, organ jazz Saturday • October 6 • 7:30 pm • The Block Tickets: $25-35 • Student tickets $10

EDUCATION Children’s Choir Auditions Tuesday • September 11 • The Block To schedule an audition, call 231.928.5738

Jonathan Holden, woodwinds Saturday • November 3 • 7:30 pm • The Block Tickets: $25-35 • Student tickets $10

Debut Strings Auditions Tuesday • September 17 • The Block To schedule an audition, call 231.928.5738

Goran Ivanovic & Fareed Haque, guitar duo Saturday • November 17 • 7:30 pm • The Block Tickets: $25-35 • Student tickets $10

Lunch n’ Learn: Festival Season Opening Wednesday • September 26 • Noon • The Block Free lunchtime program to learn about the upcoming WMS concert.

Cabaret with the Paul Langford Quartet Saturday • December 1 • 7:30 pm • The Block Tickets: $25-35 • Student tickets $10 SPECIAL EVENTS Opening Night Cocktail Party Friday • September 28 • 6 pm • The Block Join us as we toast the upcoming season.

Light snacks, cash bar.

Lunch n’ Learn: Scheherazade Showcase Wednesday • October 31 • Noon • The Block Free lunchtime program to learn about the upcoming WMS concert Clickity Clack Ho Ho Ho Saturday • December 8 • 10:30 am • The Block Tickets presale: $5, $15 family 4-pack Call 231.726.3231 to purchase.

FALL 2018

THE LATEST WITH OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS...

ON THE ROAD WITH CLICK CLACK MOOSIC Click Clack Moosic was on the road again this summer! The WMS musical storytime program traveled to Whitehall to perform two shows—Click Clack Moosic and Giggle Giggle Quackle— at Michigan Heritage Landing to families and friends as they experienced how music can help tell a story. Tune in this December and mark your calendars! Clickity Clack Ho Ho Ho is scheduled to appear at The Block on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 10:30am.

You might just see Farmer Brown’s animals zip through the air.

DEAR PATRONS, From my point of view, there is no earthly thing more splendid than a symphony orchestra.

It is so amazing to see 80-plus highly trained human beings all working together to create something beautiful, powerful and life-changing. Unlike a piece of visual art or literature, music only truly exists at the moment it is being performed. Even the finest recording is only a facsimile... a reminder of the real thing.

AESTHETIC EDUCATION The Muskegon Area Intermediate School District is launching a new Aesthetic Education program, with WMS and Muskegon Museum of Art as anchor partners. This groundbreaking format enables children to engage with works of art while making connections to their personal experiences, the outside world and beyond. 25 schools with an initial estimate of 700 students will participate in inquiry-based, experiential units of study around specific works of art with the support of Teaching Artists. Each school will select two field trips with lesson plans designed by the Teaching Artists to further allow the students capacity for observation, analysis, questioning and meaning making. Earlier this summer members of the Orchestra participated along with other educators in a training session in preparation for the pilot season.

As a WMS patron, you are a co-creator of music, standing alongside Scott Speck and every musician. Live musical performance is a precious thing, a miraculous act—and your patronage is what makes it possible. To me, to Scott, and to every musician on that stage, you’re a hero.

Isn’t that a good feeling? I hope you carry that with you, especially the next time you see WMS in concert! With the support we receive from patrons like you, WMS will continue to create miraculous live music for Muskegon and the surrounding lakeshore communities for years to come.

Warmly,

Andrew Buelow Executive Director

CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND DEBUT STRINGS HOLD ANNUAL AUDITIONS The WMS Children’s Choir is a community based choir that reaches children in four west Michigan counties and brings them together to share their love of singing and music. The Choir is directed by Beth Slimko, an experienced music educator who also leads the North Muskegon Public School choral program and is the vocal music specialist for elementary music. This season, the choir is expanding its age range to 13 (previously the age limit was 11). The group is growing every year, both in size and musical prowess. Auditions will be held the evening of Tuesday, September 11 at The Block.

Debut Strings provides an exceptional ensemble performance experience, through challenging and diverse repertoire, for both beginning and intermediate string students. Participants must have at least two years of playing experience and strong note reading skills. Debut Strings rehearses once a week throughout the fall and spring and performs two concerts annually at The Block in downtown Muskegon. Debut Strings is conducted by Angela Corbin, Orchestra Director at North Muskegon Public Schools. Auditions are scheduled for the evening of Monday, September 17 at The Block.

To schedule an audition for either group, contact Karen Vander Zanden at kvanderzanden@westmichigansymphony.org or call 231.928.5738.

LUNCH N’ LEARN: FESTIVAL SEASON OPENING

FESTIVAL SEASON OPENING Friday, September 28 • 7:30 pm

Wednesday, September 26 • Noon

2017-18 SEASON CODA: FINANCIAL HARMONY! Everyone who loves symphonic music knows that the end of a symphony is very important!

We are delighted to present our preliminary operating results for the 2017-2018 Season, which ended on June 30 with a resounding major chord. Thank you to everyone who supported WMS and The Block during the 2017-2018 Season!

Scott Speck conductor

West Michigan Symphony presents a brown bag lunch and conversation about Festival Season Opening. Bring your own lunch and enjoy an hour of lively discussion with Music Director Scott Speck and a special guest.

What, no guest artist? Actually, the whole orchestra is the soloist in this sparkling musical jamboree opening the season. The music is lush, powerful, celebratory and grand. Prepare to be lifted right out of your seat!

EARNED REVENUES: CONTRIBUTED REVENUES:

332,778 763,395

Doors open at 11:45 am to give you time to mingle and take your seats. Coffee and water provided. Bring your lunch or food is available for purchase at area restaurants such as Subway and Rebel Pies.

TOTAL REVENUES:

1,096,173

The Block

Frauenthal Theater

Free

Tickets $24-60, student tickets $10

PROGRAM SERVICES: 568,578 ADVANCEMENT: 114,418 ADMINISTRATIVE: 393,133 TOTAL EXPENSE:

1,076,857

(pre-audit combined WMS / The Block FY2018 Operating Results)

Bernstein: Overture to Candide Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier Suite Berlioz: Roman Carnival Respighi: Roman Festivals 425 W Western Ave, Muskegon, MI

360 W Western Ave, 2nd floor, Muskegon, MI

OPENING NIGHT COCKTAIL PARTY

Friday, September 28 • 6 pm Join us at The Block to toast the upcoming season before the September 28 concert, Festival Season Opening. Light snacks and cash bar. Bring a friend! All are invited.

The Block

360 W Western Ave, 2nd floor, Muskegon, MI

Free

THE LATEST WITH OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS...

ON THE ROAD WITH CLICK CLACK MOOSIC Click Clack Moosic was on the road again this summer! The WMS musical storytime program traveled to Whitehall to perform two shows—Click Clack Moosic and Giggle Giggle Quackle— at Michigan Heritage Landing to families and friends as they experienced how music can help tell a story. Tune in this December and mark your calendars! Clickity Clack Ho Ho Ho is scheduled to appear at The Block on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 10:30am.

You might just see Farmer Brown’s animals zip through the air.

DEAR PATRONS, From my point of view, there is no earthly thing more splendid than a symphony orchestra.

It is so amazing to see 80-plus highly trained human beings all working together to create something beautiful, powerful and life-changing. Unlike a piece of visual art or literature, music only truly exists at the moment it is being performed. Even the finest recording is only a facsimile... a reminder of the real thing.

AESTHETIC EDUCATION The Muskegon Area Intermediate School District is launching a new Aesthetic Education program, with WMS and Muskegon Museum of Art as anchor partners. This groundbreaking format enables children to engage with works of art while making connections to their personal experiences, the outside world and beyond. 25 schools with an initial estimate of 700 students will participate in inquiry-based, experiential units of study around specific works of art with the support of Teaching Artists. Each school will select two field trips with lesson plans designed by the Teaching Artists to further allow the students capacity for observation, analysis, questioning and meaning making. Earlier this summer members of the Orchestra participated along with other educators in a training session in preparation for the pilot season.

As a WMS patron, you are a co-creator of music, standing alongside Scott Speck and every musician. Live musical performance is a precious thing, a miraculous act—and your patronage is what makes it possible. To me, to Scott, and to every musician on that stage, you’re a hero.

Isn’t that a good feeling? I hope you carry that with you, especially the next time you see WMS in concert! With the support we receive from patrons like you, WMS will continue to create miraculous live music for Muskegon and the surrounding lakeshore communities for years to come.

Warmly,

Andrew Buelow Executive Director

CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND DEBUT STRINGS HOLD ANNUAL AUDITIONS The WMS Children’s Choir is a community based choir that reaches children in four west Michigan counties and brings them together to share their love of singing and music. The Choir is directed by Beth Slimko, an experienced music educator who also leads the North Muskegon Public School choral program and is the vocal music specialist for elementary music. This season, the choir is expanding its age range to 13 (previously the age limit was 11). The group is growing every year, both in size and musical prowess. Auditions will be held the evening of Tuesday, September 11 at The Block.

Debut Strings provides an exceptional ensemble performance experience, through challenging and diverse repertoire, for both beginning and intermediate string students. Participants must have at least two years of playing experience and strong note reading skills. Debut Strings rehearses once a week throughout the fall and spring and performs two concerts annually at The Block in downtown Muskegon. Debut Strings is conducted by Angela Corbin, Orchestra Director at North Muskegon Public Schools. Auditions are scheduled for the evening of Monday, September 17 at The Block.

To schedule an audition for either group, contact Karen Vander Zanden at kvanderzanden@westmichigansymphony.org or call 231.928.5738.

LUNCH N’ LEARN: FESTIVAL SEASON OPENING

FESTIVAL SEASON OPENING Friday, September 28 • 7:30 pm

Wednesday, September 26 • Noon

2017-18 SEASON CODA: FINANCIAL HARMONY! Everyone who loves symphonic music knows that the end of a symphony is very important!

We are delighted to present our preliminary operating results for the 2017-2018 Season, which ended on June 30 with a resounding major chord. Thank you to everyone who supported WMS and The Block during the 2017-2018 Season!

Scott Speck conductor

West Michigan Symphony presents a brown bag lunch and conversation about Festival Season Opening. Bring your own lunch and enjoy an hour of lively discussion with Music Director Scott Speck and a special guest.

What, no guest artist? Actually, the whole orchestra is the soloist in this sparkling musical jamboree opening the season. The music is lush, powerful, celebratory and grand. Prepare to be lifted right out of your seat!

EARNED REVENUES: CONTRIBUTED REVENUES:

332,778 763,395

Doors open at 11:45 am to give you time to mingle and take your seats. Coffee and water provided. Bring your lunch or food is available for purchase at area restaurants such as Subway and Rebel Pies.

TOTAL REVENUES:

1,096,173

The Block

Frauenthal Theater

Free

Tickets $24-60, student tickets $10

PROGRAM SERVICES: 568,578 ADVANCEMENT: 114,418 ADMINISTRATIVE: 393,133 TOTAL EXPENSE:

1,076,857

(pre-audit combined WMS / The Block FY2018 Operating Results)

Bernstein: Overture to Candide Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier Suite Berlioz: Roman Carnival Respighi: Roman Festivals 425 W Western Ave, Muskegon, MI

360 W Western Ave, 2nd floor, Muskegon, MI

OPENING NIGHT COCKTAIL PARTY

Friday, September 28 • 6 pm Join us at The Block to toast the upcoming season before the September 28 concert, Festival Season Opening. Light snacks and cash bar. Bring a friend! All are invited.

The Block

360 W Western Ave, 2nd floor, Muskegon, MI

Free

ONLINE RESOURCES

CLASSICAL MUSIC for EVERYONE

westmichigansymphony.org theblockwestmichigan.org

SOCIAL COMMUNITY

360 W. Western Ave. Suite 200 Muskegon, MI 49440

GOOD NEWS

/wmsymphony /AtTheBlock

WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY

@westmisymphony

YOUR INBOX

FESTIVAL SEASON OPENING! Get all the latest and greatest about upcoming concerts and special events.

ON THE ROAD WITH CLICK CLACK MOOSIC

Visit westmichigansymphony.org/contact

FIND US

2017/18 SEASON FINANCIAL RESULTS

West Michigan Symphony 360 W Western Ave, Suite 200 Muskegon, MI 49440 231.726.3231

The Block 360 W Western Ave, 2nd Floor Muskegon, MI 49440 231.726.3231

WHAT’S NEXT SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER

SYMPHONY Festival Season Opening Friday • September 28 • 7:30 pm The Frauenthal Theater Tickets: $24-60 • Student tickets $10 Scheherazade Showcase Friday • November 2 • 7:30 pm The Frauenthal Theater Tickets: $24-60 • Student tickets $10 Home for the Holidays Friday • December 14 • 7:30 pm The Frauenthal Theater Tickets: $28-64 • Student tickets $10

THE BLOCK Organissimo, organ jazz Saturday • October 6 • 7:30 pm • The Block Tickets: $25-35 • Student tickets $10

EDUCATION Children’s Choir Auditions Tuesday • September 11 • The Block To schedule an audition, call 231.928.5738

Jonathan Holden, woodwinds Saturday • November 3 • 7:30 pm • The Block Tickets: $25-35 • Student tickets $10

Debut Strings Auditions Tuesday • September 17 • The Block To schedule an audition, call 231.928.5738

Goran Ivanovic & Fareed Haque, guitar duo Saturday • November 17 • 7:30 pm • The Block Tickets: $25-35 • Student tickets $10

Lunch n’ Learn: Festival Season Opening Wednesday • September 26 • Noon • The Block Free lunchtime program to learn about the upcoming WMS concert.

Cabaret with the Paul Langford Quartet Saturday • December 1 • 7:30 pm • The Block Tickets: $25-35 • Student tickets $10 SPECIAL EVENTS Opening Night Cocktail Party Friday • September 28 • 6 pm • The Block Join us as we toast the upcoming season.

Light snacks, cash bar.

Lunch n’ Learn: Scheherazade Showcase Wednesday • October 31 • Noon • The Block Free lunchtime program to learn about the upcoming WMS concert Clickity Clack Ho Ho Ho Saturday • December 8 • 10:30 am • The Block Tickets presale: $5, $15 family 4-pack Call 231.726.3231 to purchase.

FALL 2018