Dear Friends,
Welcome to the 2011-12 Season of your Grand Rapids Symphony. An outstanding season is ahead of us, filled with concerts by the orchestra, Symphony Chorus, Youth Symphony and Youth Choruses. Our performances are complemented by continued collaboration with other organizations, including Opera Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Ballet and the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival.
During the Symphony’s 82nd season, we will serve more than 170,000 attendees through programs ranging from the Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series to music education services that provide learning opportunities for a diverse group of young people from 16 counties across West Michigan.
The orchestra continues to receive national and international attention. The Symphony’s 12th recording was released last year and earned positive reviews. New musical works commissioned by the Grand Rapids Symphony help not only engage local audiences, but also draw wider attention to our remarkable and vibrant community.
This season, an orchestral tribute commissioned in honor of former First Lady Betty Ford will be premiered. In addition, we are thrilled to participate in ArtPrize again this year and will perform a new art-inspired work composed by three Symphony musicians. Planning is underway for the orchestra’s next recording.
The vision and leadership of our community has created an exceptional ensemble, recognized as the best regional orchestra in the country. The last ten years have brought the orchestra’s Carnegie Hall debut, a Grammy nomination, the Symphony with Soul concerts and expanding educational programs, all while increasing the level of artistry of our extraordinary musicians under the baton of David Lockington.
Looking to the future, the Symphony’s strategic plan is rooted in a vision of creating and delivering more value for West Michigan. Board members, musicians, other community leaders and staff are involved in work focused on areas such as Education and Community Engagement. Our strategic plan includes a Financial Roadmap to help guide efforts to ensure financial sustainability.
If you are not currently a subscriber, please consider this as you review the wonderful programs planned for this season. Subscriber benefits include discounted pricing, priority seating and service, ticket exchange privileges and other opportunities.
Throughout our history, our orchestra has relied on the help and guidance of loyal patrons like you. All of us are deeply appreciative of not only our community’s financial support, but also the advocacy of orchestral music and related educational programs.
Please share your thoughts about how your Symphony is doing, by writing to me at pkjome@grsymphony.org. To learn more, please visit the Symphony’s website and Facebook page and sign up for our “e-club” newsletter to stay informed.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, musicians, and staff, thank you for joining us for one or more concerts this season. We are honored by your presence and grateful for your support.
Regards,
Peter T. Kjome
President and CEO
Grand Rapids Symphony
These concerts are made possible with support from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.