WEST MICHIGAN
SYMPHONY //
SYMPHONY //
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Holst’s The Planets
We invite you to discover (or re-discover) the extraordinary power of music in your life, and the shared experience of live music. The orchestra has returned to the stage in full force. The music-making is at its highest level. The energy in the concert hall is palpable, because with you —the audience— the emotional connection between musicians and listener is complete. Come, experience your West Michigan Symphony this season. Connect. Restore. Nourish Your Spirit.
SUBSCRIBE BY SEPTEMBER 18 for FREE virtual bonus concert
Holst’s The Planets
Compose a series that is uniquely yours. With the Create Your Own (CYO) series, you decide which 4 or 6 concerts fit your musical tastes and schedule.
• Enjoy ultimate flexibility. Choose from any Pops, Masterworks, or The Block concerts found in this brochure.
• Save up to 20% OFF single ticket prices.
• Easy and flexible exchanges should your schedule change.
• Receive best available seating for each selected performance. Note: your seats will be different for each performance.
STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR CONCERTS
Browse through this catalog, find 4 or 6 of your favorite concerts.
STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR SEATS
Select your desired price level.
STEP 3: PLACE YOUR ORDER
Use order form on back page, subscribe online at westmichigansymphony.org, or call Maris at 231.726.3231.
Instructions to access and enjoy your free virtual bonus concert featuring Holst’s The Planets will be emailed to you after your order has been received.
3 Fridays, 7:30 pm Frauenthal Theater
The Pops is pure entertainment, offering a mix of popular artists, holiday favorites, and music of your life, all enhanced by the sound of the symphony.
FRIDAY SEPT 29 7:30 PM
Broadway diva Capathia Jenkins lights up the Frauenthal stage with all your favorite Aretha Franklin hits. This glittering tribute to the Queen of Soul features iconic favorites including “Respect” and “Think” to “A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” “Amazing Grace” and many more.
Scott Speck conductor
Capathia Jenkins vocals
Darryl Williams vocals
SUBSCRIBE BY SEPTEMBER 18 for FREE virtual bonus concert Holst’s The Planets
FRIDAY DEC 15 7:30 PM
Join Scott Speck and your WMS for this fresh twist on our annual holiday tradition. This year, experience all your favorite music from timeless holiday movies including: White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, Polar Express, It’s a Wonderful Life, Frozen and more! A night of joyful, heartwarming, pure family fun.
Scott Speck conductor
Holly Payne vocals
WMS Children’s Choir
Mona Shores High School Choir
FRIDAY MAR 15 7:30 PM
Beautiful vocals. Captivating musical arrangements. Stunning step dancing. The Grammy-nominated, Irish-American super group returns this St. Patrick’s Day weekend to bring you a night of traditional Irish music and dance — a performance brimming with energy, wit and spirit.
5 Fridays, 7:30 pm
Frauenthal Theater
A balance of timeless masterpieces and works by living composers, featuring internationally-famed soloists, rising stars and your own WMS musicians.
FRIDAY, NOV 3, 7:30 PM
Scott Speck conductor Kinan Azmeh clarinet/composer
An evening of colorful, storytelling music that evokes an assortment of sounds, fragrances and sensations, from new to familiar.
Jennifer Higdon Blue Cathedral
Kinan Azmeh Suite for Improviser and Orchestra
Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
FRIDAY, JAN 26, 7:30 PM
Scott Speck conductor Terrence Wilson piano
Enjoy this mid-winter musical comfort meal of Mozart and Beethoven. Pianist Terrence Wilson is widely-known for his interpretations of Mozart.
Jessie Montgomery Strum
Mozart Piano Concerto no. 21
Beethoven Symphony no. 6 (Pastoral)
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FRIDAY, FEB 23, 7:30 PM
Scott Speck conductor
Chee-Yun violin
Four Seasons. Two Hemispheres. Dynamic violinist Chee-Yun returns to guide you on a journey through them all. Vivaldi’s beloved Seasons will be played side by side Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.
Golijov
Last Round
Vivaldi
The Four Seasons
Piazzolla
The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
FRIDAY, APR 19, 7:30 PM
Scott Speck conductor
Experience new sounds and rediscover familiar favorites on this musical journey around the globe traversing Italy, Spain, Norway, Germany and more. An all-orchestral program celebrates your talented WMS musicians—front and center!
Khachaturian
Sabre Dance from Gayaneh
Smetana
The Moldau
Brahms
Academic Festival Overture
Copland
Quiet City
Rimsky-Korsakov
Capriccio Espagnol
and more!
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 7:30 PM
Scott Speck conductor Aldo López-Gavilán piano
Our season finale delivers high-energy, fast moving and not-to-be missed works, topped off by Pianist Aldo López-Gavilán’s brilliant rendition of Gershwin’s beloved Rhapsody in Blue.
Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Marquez
Danzon no. 2
Gershwin
Rhapsody in Blue
For the musically curious, West Michigan’s intimate listening room brings you a mix of jazz, classical solo and crossover, plus a few concerts that transcend categorization.
Acoustic Guitar • Saturday • October 14
Acoustic guitar “ninja” Trace Bundy must be seen, not just heard. His music is poetry in motion, using harmonics, looping, multiple capos, and his unique banter and stage presence to deliver a truly unforgettable live concert experience.
Classical & World Music • Saturday • November 4
This performance showcases the multi-faceted character of the clarinet and music that is deeply inspired by a multitude of traditions. Clarinetist-composer Kinan Azmeh brings standard works for the instrument, those rarely performed plus some of his own compositions.
Jazz & Swing • Friday • November 10
The Michigan-based Paul Keller Quintet is dedicated to delighting audiences with their unique brand of high-energy, top-shelf jazz and swing. Their hallmark tonal blend of clarinet and saxophone in harmony is not often heard in jazz.
Lelm
A Jazzy Christmas • Saturday • December 2
Chicago-based piano/vocal duo Lelm and Langford brings you a jazzy, merry Christmas. Hear all your favorite holiday standards, including “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song” with exciting new arrangements.
Classical Piano • Saturday • January 27
On the heels of his performance with Scott Speck and West Michigan Symphony, pianist Terrence Wilson will put The Block’s Steinway through its paces in an inspiring solo recital.
Jazz Guitar & Vocal • Friday • February 9
After performing for years with small combos, big bands, and orchestras, this husband and wife team now ventures out as a voice and guitar duo, interpreting classic gems from the Great American Songbook.
Chee-Yun
Classical Violin • Saturday • February 24
The night after her appearance with WMS at the Frauenthal, violinist Chee-Yun brings a solo performance to The Block. She’ll present some of the most virtuosic and beautiful violin works ever composed and/or inspired by women.
BLKBOK
Contemporary Piano • Friday • March 8
Born and raised in inner-city Detroit, the artist grew up in a music-filled home. BLKBOK’s high-energy style seeks to entertain with a live piano based performance that is culturally reflective and encourages dialogue.
Bobby Floyd Trio
Jazz Trio • Saturday • April 13
Grammy-nominee and jazz legend Bobby Floyd brings a night of good music and good vibes to The Block. His feel is unique and inspirational which has led him to distinguished appearances with artists including Arturo Sandoval, Byron Stripling and Ray Charles.
Classical Piano • Saturday • May 11
The Cuban pianist is back! On Friday he’ll close out the WMS’s season at the Frauenthal with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The following night, he brings a collection of his original compositions to The Block.
Arturo and Friends
Classical Chamber • Friday • May 17
WMS Principal Violist Arturo Ziraldo presents a new take on the “Best of the String Quartet.” This innovative, conventionbusting concert links movements of famous, powerful and little- known works into a moving concert of music spanning more than 300 years.
Alexis Lombre Quintet
Jazz Quintet • Saturday • June 1
Alexis Lombre is a young jazz pianist, vocalist and composer who discovered early that the true essence of music is not just about what you hear but how music makes you feel. Her musical mission is to keep the ‘Soul’ in music alive.
BLKBOK Aldo López-Gavilán Arturo ZiraldoSubscribe for beautiful MUSIC, plus exclusive BENEFITS.
• THE BEST SEATS are reserved for you all season long
• SAVE UP TO 20% off single ticket prices—it’s like getting one concert FREE!
• FLEXIBLE, EASY TICKET EXCHANGE when your schedule changes
• 10% DISCOUNT FOR WMS FRAUENTHAL CONCERTS: purchase additional tickets for yourself, family and friends!
• VIP ACCESS to events, information and service
• WMS SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: if not completely satisfied simply call Patron Services to resolve
Premier Super Pops Masterworks Pops
SUBSCRIBE BY SEPTEMBER 18 for FREE virtual bonus concert Holst’s The Planets
SEASON SPONSORS
Dates, artists and programs are subject to change.
Aretha: A Tribute Sept 29
Scheherazade and More Nov 3
Home for the Holidays Dec 15
Mozart and Beethoven Jan 26
The Seasons: Reimagined Feb 23
Cherish the Ladies Mar 15
WMS Around the World Apr 19
Rhapsody in Blue May 10
Premier Jazz Unplugged
Trace Bundy Oct 14
Kinan Azmeh + Piano Nov 4
Paul Keller Quintet Nov 10
Lelm and Langford Dec 2
Terrence Wilson Jan 27
Edye and Mike Jazz Duo Feb 9
Chee-Yun Feb 24
BLKBOK Mar 8
Bobby Floyd Trio Apr 13
Aldo López-Gavilán May 11
Arturo and Friends May 17
Alexis Lombre Quintet June 1
CLICKITY CLACK HO HO HO
December 9 • 10:00 & 11:30 am • The Block
Based on the book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy
Lewin, ‘Click Clack Ho Ho Ho’ takes us to Farmer Brown’s barn to find out what the animals are up to for Christmas.
45-minute concert designed for kids ages 3 – 8
Add tickets to your package for yourself family & friends
Seating map and online order at westmichigansymphony.org
CREATE YOUR OWN SERIES (choose any 4 or 6 concerts)
SUBSCRIBE BY SEPTEMBER 18 for FREE virtual bonus concert
Holst’s The Planets
MY ADD ONS Subscribers save 10% on additional WMS Frauenthal concerts.
MY FREE BONUS CONCERT Offer ends September 18!
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MICHIGAN SYMPHONY
SUBSCRIBE BY SEPTEMBER 18 for FREE virtual bonus concert
Holst’s The Planets
The Seasons: Reimagined
23/24 SEASON BEGINS SEPT 29