Music together: Children’s Choir, Debut and Premier Strings share the stage
MUSKEGON, MI, February 21, 2022—Nearly 80 young musicians ages 10 through 17 will take the stage at the Frauenthal Center for a joint concert featuring West Michigan Symphony’s Children’s Choir, Debut Strings, and Premier Strings. We Are Music Together will feature music by Pinkzebra, Rachmaninoff, Haydn, Saint-Saëns, and more. The WMS Children’s Choir is directed by Beth Slimko and the two string ensembles are directed by Angela Corbin. The performance will take place at 7:00 pm Saturday, March 26. For tickets, $10 to $16, call 231.727.8001 or visit the Frauenthal box office at 425 W. Western Avenue or the WMS office at 360 W. Western.
West Michigan Symphony Children’s Choir will blend their voices in beautiful harmonies and be featured in Pinkzebra’s “Sing,” the traditional Irish folk song “Bandyrowe,” Greg Gilpin’s “How Can I Keep From Singing,” Pat Monahan’s “Sing Together,” and the Scottish folk song “Aiken Drum.” Debut Strings will showcase all string players on “Remember Me” by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and Saint-Saëns’ Everyone’s Guide to the Orchestra. Premier Strings will highlight our advanced string players through more difficult yet inspiring pieces from Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G minor and Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1. The two string groups will combine for “Greater Than” by Brian Balmages. The entire youth entourage will collaborate on Alexander Safford’s “The Gathering Clouds.”
WMS education programs impact toddlers through young adults and are provided free or at very low cost to ensure access to all. Debut Strings, Premier Strings and the Children’s Choir are audition-based ensemble programs that build students’ practice and performance discipline and experience. Music and the arts furnish young people with important skills they need to better navigate through life. These include creative thinking, problem-solving, motivation, and collaboration—traits that boost both academic performance and employability.
Debut Strings introduces beginning and intermediate students to large ensemble performance through a challenging and diverse repertoire. Students in Debut Strings have at least two years of playing experience and strong note reading skills. Premier Strings is made up of intermediate to advanced string players who have the opportunity to perform on stage with the West Michigan Symphony at the spring Link Up concerts. West Michigan Symphony Children’s Choir is an audition-based choir for children ages 8-13, performing throughout West Michigan and on stage with the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra.
“Safe Nights at the Symphony” Protocol
In an effort to create the safest environment possible while attending WMS performances, the Symphony’s “Safe Nights” protocol remains in effect for this concert. Patrons of all ages will be asked to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test (taken within 72 hours of the concert) for entry into the Frauenthal Center. All patrons will be required to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose while attending performances. Children under the minimum age for vaccination are welcome with face-covering masks and proof of a negative test. Ticketholders with green “Symphony Safe” wristbands should wear their wristbands for quick entry. If you would like to pre-register your vaccine status and receive a wristband, visit the WMS offices between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
