New Downtown Live Concert Series to Showcase MCC and Community Musicians

Downtown Live Concert Logo

The new Downtown Live Concert Series at the Frauenthal Center, 426 W. Western Ave., launches in October and will feature every Muskegon Community College music ensemble, as well as the Shoreline Symphony and West Michigan Concert WINDS which are affiliated with MCC.

The 14-concert series, which includes two groups that have performed at Carnegie Hall in recent years, continues through May 2019.

“I am extremely excited to see the collaboration of college students and community members for this Downtown Live Concert series,” said Daniel M. Meyers, the MCC Director of Music. “Bringing quality music to downtown Muskegon to compliment the great performances already at the Frauenthal and more concert goers to downtown Muskegon to enjoy all the community has to offer are goals for us at MCC.”

“The concerts give audience goers the opportunity to hear a wide range of music, from traditional to contemporary, and to see college, semiprofessional and even professional musicians performing great literature in an amazing historic venue. Many of the concerts will also have special guests performing alone and with the MCC ensembles making for some truly memorable concerts.”

“The Downtown Live Concert Series is an exciting development in our long term relationships with MCC,” said Howard Meade, past president of the West Michigan Concert WINDS and President of the Shoreline Symphony. “Development of the series theme was a collaborative effort of MCC, the WINDS and the Shoreline Symphony facilitated by Fineline Creative. A grant from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County partially funded this effort.”

The Downtown Live featured musical groups are:

  • College Singers – The College’s full soprano, alto, tenor, and bass (SATB) chorus features MCC students and community members performing a wide variety of the choral repertoire. The Singers are under the Direction of Nicholas Palmer.
  • Collegiates – An audition-based select SATB vocal group, the Collegiates perform a wide range of musical genres from the 17th century to modern contemporary works for small vocal ensemble. The Collegiates are under the direction of Nicholas Palmer.
  • MCC Wind Ensemble – Conducted by Daniel M. Meyers and entering its ninth year, the Wind Ensemble is comprised of MCC students, both music majors and non-music majors, interested in preparing and performing advanced wind band literature.
  • MCC Jazz Ensemble – Comprised of MCC students, the Jazz Ensemble performs traditional and contemporary big-band jazz repertoire.
  • MCC Honors Orchestra – Conducted by Philip DeYoung, the Honors Orchestra is a symphony orchestra for MCC students, as well as advanced high school students, performing standard orchestral works of the symphony orchestra.
  • Shoreline Symphony – An adult community symphonic orchestra, the Shoreline Symphony brings together volunteer amateur musicians and students from area colleges. The symphony was established in 2012 by founding music director, Annette Jurcevic, and by MCC. In 2017, Jurcevic won The American Prize in Orchestral Programming’s Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award in the community division.
  • West Michigan WINDS – An adult community concert band celebrating its 40th anniversary this concert season, the WINDS has been affiliated with MCC since 1993. Music Director and Conductor Gail Brechting is in her 23rd year leading the WINDS. The band has performed at Carnegie Hall in 2016 and in England, Ireland, Wales, Austria, and Germany.

Downtown Live Concert Series 2018-19 Season Schedule

2018
Oct. 24 – MCC Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble focus on the AH fest theme of “Truth” with guests Truth in Jazz Orchestra @ 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 27 – West Michigan Concert WINDS present “Fall into Jazz III” @ 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 4 – MCC Collegiates and College Singers present “The Music of Autumn” @ 3 p.m.
Nov. 17 – Shoreline Symphony presents “Intriguing Instruments, Surprising Sounds” @ 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 18 – MCC Honors Orchestra presents a concert of music inspired by water, featuring music by Mendelssohn, new music by Nishimura, and of course, Handel @ 3 p.m.
Dec. 7 – West Michigan Concert WINDS present “A Cartoon Christmas” @ 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 – “All MCC Holiday Celebration” features instrumental and vocal ensembles and small group performances by students and faculty @ 7:30 p.m.
2019
Feb. 24 – West Michigan Concert WINDS present “Winners and WINDS” @ 4 p.m.
Feb. 27 – “MCC Music Spectacular” features MCC winds, percussion, vocals and strings – from soloists to large ensembles @ 7:30 p.m.
March 9 – Shoreline Symphony presents “Remix: old tunes, new grooves” @ 7:30 p.m.
April 13 – MCC Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble with local rock band Whoopee Kat in a concert devoted to closing any gaps between traditional music and the rock music world @ 7:30 p.m
April 14 – MCC Collegiates, College Singers and Honors Orchestra present “Out of This World,” featuring music by composers Mozart, Haydn, and John Williams @ 3 p.m.
May 11 – West Michigan Concert WINDS present “The WINDS Celebrate Gospel Music” @ 7:30 p.m.
May 19 – Shoreline Symphony presents “Symphonicomedy” @ 3 p.m.