Gift of music series brings world-class talent to the lakeshore

Art

Aug 4

Midori
Photo courtesy of Holland Symphony Orchestra

The Holland Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is hosting a vibrant five-event series blending world-class artistry with homegrown talent and community spirit. From August 6 to 16, audiences across West Michigan will have the opportunity to experience a dynamic mix of music, dance, and visual art through both free and ticketed events for all ages.

The celebration will begin with a pop-up HSO Brass Ensemble concert at Holland’s Farmer’s Market on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 6, in partnership with Community Action House, which will provide healthy snacks for attendees of all ages. The HSO Brass Ensemble will perform favorites from the classical canon as well as popular tunes from the mainstream music scene.

Headlining the celebration is legendary violinist Midori, whose four-decade career includes groundbreaking performances with the world’s top orchestras. Concerts will take place on Friday, August 8, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 9, at 2 p.m. at HSO’s new home, the West Ottawa Performing Arts Center.

As part of the series, the HSO will present its annual free family-friendly Community Concert: Music Unites Us, on Saturday, August 9. This festive gathering brings together more than 1,500 community members for an evening filled with music, dance, art, and local flavors.

The event begins with family-friendly activities at 5 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy dancing in the sunshine, live art-making, and orchestral folk music, along with food from DaKidd BBQ, Robinson’s Popcorn, Dolce Mini Cakes & Tacos, PAC Pizza, and the Macatawa Bank Ice Cream truck.

This year’s performance will feature the Holland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Johannes Müller Stosch, joined by local Cumbia band Grupo Super Nova. The concert will include original arrangements by local composer Greg Scheer, live mural painting by artist Chris Garcia, and dance lessons led by LAUP’s Salsarines.

“This community event is made possible with the support of the City of Holland and embraces the transformative power of music and movement to unite, enrich, and celebrate our community in shared spaces of accessibility and enlightenment,” said Michael Naess, President and CEO, Holland Symphony Orchestra.

The Gift of Music month concludes with a second free performance—Our New Home—on Saturday, August 16, at 2 p.m. Held at HSO’s new venue, the West Ottawa Performing Arts Center, this celebratory concert invites the lakeshore community to explore the state-of-the-art performance facility.

Event sponsors include Corewell Health, the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, Gentex, the Michigan Arts & Culture Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit https://hollandsymphony.org/events/.

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