85th for web

Made in Muskegon. 85 years strong.
Here's a part of our journey. 

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When Palmer Quackenbush raised his baton at 8:15 on the night of November 28, 1939, he started a musical legacy that has endured 85 seasons.

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Violinist Joshua Bell joined the orchestra to perform the Beethoven Violin Concerto. Just nineteen years old, the Chronicle noted Bells’ performance was “a wonder, and an astonishment” We’re proud to say “we knew him when...”  

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The need for live music during wartime spurred the orchestra to offer three concerts during the 1942-43 season. Despite the loss of musicians due to military service, the musician roster grew to 55 through the recruitment of high school students and females. 

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Scott Speck was appointed music director. He is the ninth and longest tenured music director of the WMS, and rightly so. Under his direction the artistic quality of the ensemble has reached new heights, his warm, welcoming presence has built community.

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The orchestra originally performed at Muskegon High School Auditorium. In 1979 the performances moved to the Frauenthal Theater.

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WMS has roared back to life since the pandemic, inspired by its vision to be a catalyst for a music-infused West Michigan. During the 2023/24 Season, WMS played to the largest audiences in more than a decade, celebrated the 20th anniversary of Link UP education program serving more than 4,000 students and six counties, and expanded the Tune UP afterschool partnership with Muskegon Public Schools.

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Music Director Murray Gross’s long tenure (1982-2001) helped shape the orchestra you know today. His leadership quickly earned recognition for a commitment to artistic growth and community leadership. During his tenure the orchestra expanded its concert offerings and education programs, celebrated its 50th anniversary, and distributed its first CD recordings.

Your WMS honors and recognizes our most loyal patrons – our subscribers.

You’ve seen the many faces of the orchestra through time, seen us through financial successes and challenges, artistic triumphs and disappointments. But always with unwavering commitment, encouragement and support. You are our greatest fans. Thank you! 

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Thank you to our loyal subscribers!
Partial list, representing those who responded to 85th anniversary subscriber survey.

40+ Years

Karla Bates

Ron & Ann Marie Brown

Timothy & Anne Erickson

Pat Johnson

John & Barbara Mullally

Joanna Norris

William & Erika Paulson

Rem & Ginny Sprague
Stephen & Gwynne Schoff 

Judith Tierney

Jane Wright 

30+ Years

Curtis Chambers

Susan Cloutier Crain

John & Jessie Martin

Charles Tindall & Susan Rogalla Tindall

Kay VanderWall

20+ Years

William Baldridge

Karla Brown

Rudolph Chmelar

Anne Dake

Amy Klop

Steve & Cindy Movesian

Joanne VanOordt

Susan Rehrer

Al Steinman

JoLee Wennersten

Brewster & Mary Ellen Willcox

10+ Years

Steve & Martha Bartlett

Jack Brown

Don & Kathy Dahlstrom

Patricia Dee

David Dietrich & Mary Jo Thies Dietrich

Gregory & Kathleen Edwards

Wally & Jane Ewing

Robert & Mary K Hogan

Marcia Howe

Laird Schaefer

Jocelyn Shaw & Doug Hannink

Joanie Smith

Peggy Tully

Roger & Becky Tuuk

5+ Years

Agnes De Boer

Sally Dunn & Douglas Doering

Carol & Ross Feltes

Lisa Henry

Jean Regester

Diana Wojton

Michigan Arts & Culture Council
National Endowment for the Arts