West Michigan Symphony Offers First Ever Symphonic Side-By-Side Event
Professionals and Amateurs Work Together In Harmony
Muskegon, MI — Fans and community members who play an instrument, or used to, will be dusting off their fiddles, flutes and horns for a day of music making side by side with members of the West Michigan Symphony (WMS) on Saturday, July 12. Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and 1812 Overture, Bizet’s Carmen Suite and more are on the bill for the first WMS “Side-by-Side” concert. The musicians—amateur and professional—will be gathering in the morning for a full day of rehearsing. The concert itself is free to the public and starts at 6:30pm in the Frauenthal Center.
“We’re proud of our youth ensembles and other musical experiences,” said Symphony CEO Andy Buelow. “For years I have encountered adults who participated in band or orchestra in school but didn’t continue playing. There’s always a wistfulness about how they talk about it. 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 Music Director Scott Speck. The daylong intensive—with the tagline “rusty or not, show us what you’ve got”—starts at 10:30am with sectional sessions led by WMS principal players. After lunch, the entire group of 47 amateur and 26 professional players will assemble on the Frauenthal Theater stage for full orchestra rehearsals throughout the afternoon. With that configuration, the avocational players can be assured that a WMS musician will be nearby to provide support.
WMS announced the opportunity last winter and posted the complete program—along with sheet music excerpts for all the open instruments—on the Symphony’s web page where anyone could peruse it. Music Director Scott Speck, who offers similar programs in northern Illinois with the Chicago Philharmonic, described it as, “Self-selecting. If they looked at the music and decided to tackle it, they were in.”
For anyone who didn’t register but just wants to come and listen, tickets are free, and the concert itself is well worth turning out for. In addition to the above-mentioned Tchaikovsky and Bizet, on the bill is the Imperial March from Star Wars and selections from Grieg’s Peer Gynt. Additionally, a summer concert would not be complete without rounding out the program with two of John Philip Sousa’s greatest marches: the Washington Post and Stars and Stripes Forever.
To register for free tickets, click HERE.
About West Michigan Symphony
An anchor cultural organization headquartered in Muskegon, West Michigan Symphony 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 a WMS events, a limited number of media passes are available. Please contact Carla Flanders for more information. For Media Resources click HERE.
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