From ‘Link Up’ Children’s Music Program to ‘Side-By-Side’ Community Participation – West Michigan Symphony has it all!
Muskegon, MI — When most people think of West Michigan Symphony (WMS), they think of concerts, of course! The 85-year-old organization is usually associated with its mainstage series at the Frauenthal Center in downtown Muskegon. But WMS is about more than performances. With its Vision, a catalyst for a music-infused West Michigan, the organization engages hands-on with all ages through its outreach platform, Community Music Encounters (CME).
Via CME the organization reaches deeply into the community through a variety of learning activities and place-making projects to inspire both the next generation and adult music lovers. Two such programs include Link Up and Symphony Side-By-Side.
Link Up
CME’s flagship youth offering is the Link Up beginner music program for 3rd-5th graders, in which students learn to read music and ultimately “perform” on plastic recorders along with the orchestra. For many, this will be a first live concert experience—but they are not just passive recipients. Link Up is a classroom-to-concert program, and the students will be applying musical concepts they have been studying all year in school music. This includes coaching from WMS musicians who visit classrooms to work with and introduce them to the symphony.
It all leads up to the morning of Tuesday, May 13, when nearly 4,000 students from 46 area schools—including districts from Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, Oceana, Newaygo and Mason counties—arrive at the Frauenthal Center for the concert. Full of anticipation and armed with their recorders, the students are herded from buses by watchful teachers, gasp audibly when they enter the beautiful theater for the first time, and wriggle impatiently in their seats while the orchestra warms up onstage in front of them. During the concert they alternately listen, sing, raise their hands in response to questions, and play recorder along with the orchestra from their seats.
The performances—open only to participating students, teachers, chaperones and parents—are scheduled for 9:30am, 11:00am and 12:30pm. A founding partner with Carnegie Hall (which developed the curriculum), WMS is the only orchestra that has offered it every season since its 2004 introduction. Nearly 70,000 students have been served. With Link Up now in its third decade, parents who participated in grade school are experiencing it alongside their own children.
Symphony Side-By-Side
“We’re proud of our youth ensembles and other musical experiences,” said CEO Andy Buelow. “For years I have encountered adults who participated in band or orchestra in school but did not continue playing. There’s always a wistfulness in their voices when they share their musical memories. So, we decided to do something about it.”
That “something” turned out to be plans for the new Symphony Side-by-Side: a full day of practicing, coaching and rehearsing alongside WMS musicians, led by WMS Music Director Scott Speck. The daylong intensive, with the tagline “rusty or not, show us what you’ve got,” takes place on Saturday, July 12 onstage at the Frauenthal.
Those curious about participating can find out more on the LEARN section of westmichigansymphony.org where they will find a registration page with the details. It includes the full day schedule, starting at 10:30am and culminating with a free public performance at 6:30pm. There are links to preview the instrument parts for all musical selections—including Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and 1812 Overture, Bizet’s Carmen Suite and more. WMS is looking for musicians that play the following instruments: violin, viola, cello and bass; oboe, clarinet and bassoon; horn, trumpet, trombone and tuba; percussion and harp. Those who no longer have their own instrument, will find information on the WMS website for Meyer Music, which offers short-term rentals.
Once the participants form and fee of $65 has been received, WMS will send an email with a link to the complete music—and participatants can start practicing! Music Director Scott Speck, who offers similar programs in northern Illinois with the Chicago Philharmonic, describes it as “self-selecting. If you look at the music and think you can tackle it, we want you!” The registration deadline is June 6, 2025. To learn more or register click HERE.
More Ways to Engage with West Michigan Symphony
Those that have never attended a WMS concert are invited to participate in the “Try Symphony! Introductory Ticket” program. Participants will enjoy a one-time 50% discount offer (up to two tickets) for one of the final concerts remaining in the 24/25 season (May 9: Dvorak Cello Concerto or May 30: American Landscapes featuring Fanfare for the Common Man). To claim this offer, register on the symphony’s website HERE. Once registered, a WMS staff member will contact the participant to arrange for tickets. Offer expires the Wednesday prior to each concert date.
Ever wondered what goes into planning a performance? If so, the orchestra invites the public to get in on the act with its “Audience Choice Concert.” To participate (and potentially win prizes and free tickets) visit the WMS website and vote for your favorite overture, piano concerto and symphony from a selection of choices. The top votes will be unveiled this May and performed on a Masterworks program next season. To learn more, click HERE.
About West Michigan Symphony
An anchor cultural organization headquartered in Muskegon celebrating its 85th Anniversary Season this year, West Michigan Symphony led by Music Director Scott Speck is a resident presenting group at the Frauenthal Center, where its eight-concert season is the most visible part of a larger artistic enterprise of far-reaching community benefit. WMS concerts and education events bring 16,500 people—more than 30% of whom are children and students—downtown annually, making it the largest performing arts organization on the West Shore.
Media:
If media is interested in attending and covering this event, a limited number of media passes are available. Please contact Carla Flanders for more information. For Media Resources click HERE.
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