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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Muskegon, Michigan, December 20, 2022— WMS Principal Percussionist Matthew Beck returns to The Block with a program featuring music by Steve Reich, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Igor Stravinsky, among others, at 5:00pm Saturday, January 14. Joining him will be CMU faculty member and former WMS timpanist Andrew Spencer, along with pianists Patrick Johnson from MSU and […]
Muskegon, Michigan, November 22, 2022— West Michigan native, pianist, and consummate performer Rich Ridenour will lead the West Michigan Symphony during its Home for the Holidays concert, putting a fresh twist on a beloved local tradition of joyful, heartwarming family fun, seasonal favorites, and a carol sing-a-long. Joining him for this year’s performance—scheduled for 7:30 […]
Muskegon, Michigan, October 18, 2022—Venezuelan-born pianist Gabriela Martinez returns to West Michigan after nearly 10 years to perform the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 with Scott Speck and the West Michigan Symphony. The concert, held at 7:30 pm Friday, November 4, will also feature Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Adolphus Hailstork’s Fanfare on “Amazing Grace.” […]
