Your WMS Musicians.

by CEO Andy Buelow I had a delightful conversation with one of our musicians down in the Frau Lounge after last month’s season finale. This is a player who travels in from Chicago, maintaining an active performance schedule there as well as several other major markets throughout the U.S. She said, “I always wait until […]

WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY AND MUSKEGON AREA DISTRICT LIBRARIES COLLABORATE TO OFFER LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES TO AREA CHILDREN

Unique Click Clack Moosic for children will be presented at nine district branches MUSKEGON, MI, June 2, 2023—Children love stories , and they love music. Put the two together and it’s sure fire magic. West Michigan Symphony’s (WMS) Click Clack Moosicdoes just that as it introduces children to various orchestral instruments and basic musical concepts—tempo, […]

West Michigan Symphony welcomes the legendary Byron Stripling

Muskegon, Michigan, April 10, 2023—Louis Armstrong’s voice was unmistakable, his personality magnetic, and his artistry astonishing. Celebrated trumpeter and vocalist Byron Stripling joins the West Michigan Symphony to perform this electrifying homage, featuring “What a Wonderful World”, “Saint Louis Blues”, “Sweet Georgia Brown” and more. Sponsored by Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, the concert will […]

WMS low brass section steps out of the orchestra and into The Block for kaleidoscopic concert

Muskegon, Michigan, March 14, 2023— Low brass is the term for a special alloy of copper and zinc—but in this case it also refers to the trombone and tuba section of the WMS. The WMS Low Brass section— principal trombone Edward “Kip” Hickman, principal tuba Clinton McCanless and trombonists Joe Radtke and Evan Clifton—will step […]

How do you get to the Frauenthal? Practice, practice, practice!

After months of preparation, WMS Children’s Choir, Debut and Premier Strings take over Frauenthal stage for annual collaborative concert Muskegon, Michigan, March 13, 2023— It’s the thrill of the year for 80 area young musicians and their parents, siblings and relatives when the West Michigan Symphony Children’s Choir, Debut Strings and Premier Strings take over […]

Philippe Quint’s multimedia “Chaplin’s Smile” Comes to West Michigan’s Frauenthal

West Michigan Symphony to present State Premiere of acclaimed program featuring legendary filmmaker Charlie Chaplin’s original music Muskegon, Michigan, March 6, 2023— Did you know that Charlie Chaplin, one of the greatest silent movie actors and most iconic figures of the early film industry, was also a talented composer? To celebrate Chaplin’s 134th birthday, Music […]

Prizewinning young violinist and composer visit Muskegon for concerts and educational activities

Muskegon, Michigan, February 21, 2023— Violinist Njioma Grevious, recently announced First Prizewinner at the 2023 Sphinx Competition in Detroit, will be in Muskegon during the first week of March for performances at The Block and with West Michigan Symphony. The 23-year-old rising star will perform Marcus Norris’s new violin concerto Glory under the baton of […]

Violin soloist for upcoming WMS concert receives prestigious national prize

Muskegon, Michigan, February 1, 2023— Njioma Grevious received the $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize at the 2023 Sphinx Competition in Detroit on January 28. The 23-year-old violinist is slated to perform Marcus Norris’s new violin concerto Glory and Hector Berlioz’s Reverie and Caprice in early March with West Michigan Symphony. Conducted by Music Director Scott […]

Multifaceted Jazz Singer and Pianist Bryan Eng brings his celebrated trio to West Michigan

Muskegon, Michigan, January 13, 2023—With a sound and stage presence that combines Nat King Cole and Harry Connick Jr., jazz pianist Bryan Eng’s musicality packs a punch of energy and what the Chicago Sun-Times called “undeniable star wattage!” A protégé of Emmet Cohen, the versatile young performer is making big strides across the entertainment scene, […]

Michigan Arts & Culture Council
National Endowment for the Arts