West Michigan Symphony season opening celebrates John Williams at 90
Concert will feature music from Star Wars, Jaws, E.T., the Indiana Jones movies and more
Muskegon, Michigan, September 13, 2022— What would Star Wars, Jaws, and Raiders of the Lost Ark have been without the music of John Williams? This great American composer knew just how to write music that enhanced the mood of whatever was happening on the screen.
West Michigan Symphony’s season-opening, held at 7:30 pm Friday, September 30, will celebrate this great Maestro of the Movies in his 90th year. Music Director Scott Speck will lead a concert featuring all the great themes and scores from the above movies—plus E.T., Hook, Schindler’s List, Harry Potter, Saving Private Ryan, Far and Away, and Lincoln. The concert is sponsored by Harbor Steel. Mike and Kay Olthoff are the 2022-2023 Season Sponsors. The performance will be held in the Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon. For tickets, starting at $19 for adults, $10 for students, call 231.727.8001, visit the Frauenthal box office or purchase online at www.westmichigansymphony.org.
“John Williams is absolutely one of the greatest composers of the century,” said Scott Speck. “He is a great melodist, a master of moods, and a stunning orchestrator. We are proud to be devoting an entire concert to his music.”
WMS has added several new features to enhance the experience for audience members. First, free shuttle transport is available from the Muskegon Farmer’s Market parking lot right to the door of the Frauenthal, and back again after the concert. Second, a post-concert party will follow the concert in the lower level Frau Lounge, in the space formerly occupied by Smash Wine Bar & Bistro. This will be an opportunity for audience members to mix and mingle with Scott Speck and the musicians.
Health and Safety Protocols for 2022-2023 Season Proof of vaccination (or a negative test) is no longer required for concert attendance. Masks are optional while county COVID levels remain at low or medium. In the interest of caution, the WMS encourages patrons to wear masks and will continue to provide them free of charge at all entrances. Mandatory masking may be reinstated in the future based on CDC and state health guidelines.
About the West Michigan Symphony, An anchor cultural organization headquartered in Muskegon, 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. At its live listening room, The Block, just down the street, it mounts 15 performance events annually featuring jazz, classical, folk, ambient, and other offerings. 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. Audiences come from throughout Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, Oceana, and surrounding counties.
