Education

West Michigan Symphony and The Block offer a host of programs that address access to arts learning and education. 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. WMS education programs impact toddlers through young adults and are provided free or at very low cost to ensure access to all. These combined programs reach over 5,000 area youth in more than 50 schools.

All WMS education programs offer needs-based scholarships so no child is denied an opportunity to participate simply because they cannot afford tuition. Grants are actively sought throughout the year and this funding allows the WMS to bring a selection of their music education programs to local schools, community events and nonprofit organizations.

CLICK CLACK MOOSIC

Created by WMS, Click Clack Moosic is a four-concert storybook series for young children and their families. Based on books by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin, Click Clack Moosic features original music composed for the series by Phil Popham. Children attending these events, held at The Block, meet WMS musicians, view instruments up close, and learn new music skills through fun and interactive skits. In these performances, children listen to a narration of one of the Click Clack Moo series of books while symphony musicians perform music composed specifically for the Click Clack stories. All four Click Clack stories give children a fun way to learn musical concepts and experience how music can tell a great story. (Please see schedule on p. 10)

DEBUT AND PREMIER STRINGS

Debut Strings introduces beginning and intermediate students to large ensemble performance through challenging and diverse repertoire. Students in Debut Strings have at least two years of playing experience and strong note reading skills. Debut Strings rehearses once a week throughout the fall and spring and performs two concerts annually at The Block.

Premier Strings is an ensemble made up of intermediate to advanced string players who are part of the Debut Strings program. Premier String members have the opportunity to perform on stage with the West Michigan Symphony at the spring Link Up concerts. For those string players who are looking to challenge their abilities and experience additional performance opportunities, this is THE group!

Both ensembles are led by Angela Corbin, Orchestra Director at North Muskegon Public Schools. Corbin earned her Master’s in Music Education from Michigan State University and has studied violin with Minghuan Xu at Grand Valley State University. As a private and class music instructor for over fifteen years, teaching music through string instruction has been one of Angela’s deepest passions.

WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY CHILDREN’S CHOIR (WMSCC)

The WMSCC is an audition-based choir for children ages 8-13. With the goal of providing children quality music education of the highest level, we strive to enrich the lives of youth from all backgrounds and to be an integral part of the artistic community in West Michigan.

During the 2018-2019 season, the WMSCC experienced an exciting season of performances throughout the year, including singing on stage with the WMS orchestra for the Holiday Pops and three Link Up concerts. The choir rehearses weekly during the school year and performs regularly with WMS and in stand-alone concerts.

Beth Slimko, the WMSCC Conductor, holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with dual concentrations in vocal and instrumental pedagogy from Butler University. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University. Ms. Slimko is currently the director of the North Muskegon Public School choir program and is a vocal music specialist for elementary music.

LINK UP

The largest of our education programs, WMS Link Up is beginning its 16th year of school partnerships, reaching six West Michigan counties, serving over 50 elementary schools and over 5,000 children. In collaboration with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, WMS is the only orchestra to present the program continually since Carnegie Hall unrolled their national partnership. Provided free to participating schools, WMS Link Up is a beginner music education program that pairs our orchestra with local community schools. Students learn to read and play music on the recorder, meet WMS professional musicians in their classroom, and gain an understanding of the orchestra and orchestral repertoire through a yearlong, handson music curriculum that culminates with a spring Link Up concert in the Frauenthal Theater. (Please see concert program on p. 30)

MUSIC MENTOR PROGRAM

The Music Mentor program places WMS professional musicians into elementary school music programs that are participating in Link Up. The Music Mentor Program travels to schools throughout the region, becoming an integral part of their classroom experience and enriching the Link Up music curriculum all year long. Kids have the opportunity to meet and learn from professional musicians and gain an understanding that music is something that everyone can learn to play, sing and enjoy. In 2018-2019, five Music Mentors completed 80 in-school visits to area classrooms.

INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO

Providing a hands-on experience creating sounds on musical instruments, the WMS Instrument Petting Zoo is an exciting way to show children they have the potential to play an instrument well before middle school band programs begin. Offered regionally at elementary schools, community events and as an occasional preconcert activity for youth and families attending a WMS concert, the Petting Zoo features instruments from each of the four families (strings, woodwind, brass and percussion) and children are able to handle and play them during the 45-minute program.

FOR TH E M USICALLY

CURIOUS

2019-20 SEASON

Alexander Zonjic & Friends, smooth jazz Thurs, Aug 22 7:30 pm

Velvet Caravan, gypsy jazz Fri, Oct 4 7:30 pm

Rodney Whitaker, jazz quartet Fri, Oct 18 7:30 pm

Charlie Albright, classical piano Sat, Nov 9 7:30 pm

Walvoord & Co, classical chamber Sat, Nov 23 7:30 pm

ESME, classical crossover Fri, Jan 24 7:30 pm

John Proulx Trio, vocal jazz Sat, Feb 8 7:30 pm

Sujari Britt, classical cello Sat, Mar 14 7:30 pm

House of Hamill, Celtic fiddle Sat, Mar 28 7:30 pm

Fareed Haque & Tony Monaco, guitar & organ jazz Fri, May 1 7:30 pm

Chee-Yun, classical violin Sat, May 16 7:30 pm

SERIES PACKAGES

PREMIER: 11 tickets: 1 for each show Regular Seating: $220 • Table Seating: $308

BLOCK SAMPLER: 6 tickets: 1 for each specified show Regular Seating: $126 • Table Seating: $180

WMS UNPLUGGED: 5 tickets: 1 for each specified show Regular Seating: $106 • Table Seating: $149

JAZZ: 4 tickets: 1 for each specified show Regular Seating: $90 • Table Seating: $126

PICK AND CHOOSE: 6 tickets: to use for any show, in any combination Regular Seating: $126 • Table Seating: $180

Single tickets $25 and up

theblockwestmichigan.org | 231.726.3231 360 W Western Ave, 1st floor, Muskegon WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY SEASON MAGAZINE

LUNCH ‘N LEARN

Each season free “Lunch n’ Learn” sessions invite the community to bring a lunch and get better acquainted with upcoming concert repertoire; joining in conversation with Music Director Scott Speck and an invited musician or guest artist. This program continues into the 2019-2020 season with sessions scheduled at The Block the Wednesday afternoon prior to each Masterworks concert. (Please see schedule on p. 11)

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Seasonally, WMS donates tickets to dozens of charitable organizations and those unable to afford to purchase regular tickets. We regularly partner with the MAISD to reach staff, students and families from Muskegon Area schools, giving them an opportunity to attend a West Michigan Symphony concert for free.

Currently WMS is collaborating with Muskegon Rotary and other community activists to bring all-weather outdoor musical instruments to Muskegon. Manufactured by Freenotes™ Harmony Park, these are durable, sustainable sound sculptures that enhance outdoor community spaces. The first installation took place during the summer of 2019 at McLaughlin Neighborhood Park in collaboration with Community enCompass. The plan calls for installation of 15 different instruments in multiple locations throughout the city.

A visible presence in the community, WMS is privileged to serve our area through a diverse array of programming and educational outreach, making Muskegon a great place to live, work and play. ••

When you first visualize Lorin’s Stainless Anodized Aluminum you can see the rich hues of bronze and grey and enjoy the deep metallic reflection, depending on the color you choose. Lorin’s anodized stainless finish is not a coating. Coatings just wear away. Anodizing is an electro-chemical process that builds an anodic layer from the aluminum, thus protecting the aluminum from the elements as well as everyday use. Lorin’s Anodized Stainless Collection delivers the absolutely stunning appearance that you require with demanding applications such as consumer goods, architectural, and transportation. So come and take a look at Lorin’s Stainless Anodized Aluminum ...

Polished, powerful, and dynamic. That’s the beauty of anodized.

REFLECT YOUR VISION.

www.lorin.com | 800.654.1159

Great Great Performances On Your Radio Performances On Your Radio Every Day! Every Day!

WBLU 88.9 WBLV 90.3 GRAND RAPIDS MUSKEGON

classical . jazz . npr WBLU 88.9 WBLV 90.3 GRAND RAPIDS MUSKEGON (Listen on the web at www.bluelake.org/radio)

classical . jazz . npr (Listen on the web at www.bluelake.org/radio)

LORIN

WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY DebuT & Premier Strings

2019-20 Concerts

Debut and Premier Strings Concert Sun, Nov 24, 2019, 4:30 pm The Block, 360 W Western Ave, 2nd floor, Muskegon Debut/Premier Strings and WMSCC Concert Sun, Mar 22, 2020, 4:30 pm Location TBD

WMS Debut and Premier Strings will present a collaborative concert with the WMS Children’s Choir.