The White Lake area is made up of 2 neighboring cities of Whitehall & Montague, located on beautiful White Lake!
Mission Statement
Producing world-class chamber music concerts, promoting and supporting classical music learning opportunities for all ages, and creating awareness of the value and significance of fine music. We believe that live music should be accessible to all as it expands creativity, enhances intelligence, and enriches the spirit.
Producing world-class chamber music concerts, promoting and supporting classical music learning opportunities for all ages, and creating awareness of the value and significance of fine music. We believe that live music should be accessible to all as it expands creativity, enhances intelligence, and enriches the spirit.
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White Lake Music Society
Board Members Janet Thomas, J.D., Chair Attorney Margot Haynes, Ph.D., Secretary Professor, Retired Bryan Uecker, Treasurer Financial Consultant, Business Owner, musician Robert Swan, Artistic Director Chicago Symphony Orchestra Violist, Retired Dave Myers Vice President, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Mitzi Luttrull School Principal, Retired Ellie Dennis City Council Member, Health Professional |
Staff
Sondra Cross, Executive Director Professional musician, Administrator, Music Management sondrawhitelakemusic@gmail.com 231-329-3056 Robert Swan, Artistic Director |
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Strategic Planning was completed in the fall of 2018
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White Lake Music Society provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The White Lake Music Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with funding support from foundations, businesses, and individual donors. It strives to make music accessible to all through. The WLMS provides services to all without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, weight, height, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran or marital status.
Accessibility Statement
The White Lake Music Society is committed to ensuring that this Web site is accessible to everyone. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the accessibility of this site, please contact us, as we are continually striving to improve the experience for all visitors. If for any reason you cannot access any of the material on our Web site, please contact us (231.329.3056) and we will work to resolve the problem.
As part of our commitment to equal opportunity, we strive to promote accessible venues for our audiences.
The White Lake Music Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with funding support from foundations, businesses, and individual donors. It strives to make music accessible to all through. The WLMS provides services to all without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, weight, height, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran or marital status.
Accessibility Statement
The White Lake Music Society is committed to ensuring that this Web site is accessible to everyone. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the accessibility of this site, please contact us, as we are continually striving to improve the experience for all visitors. If for any reason you cannot access any of the material on our Web site, please contact us (231.329.3056) and we will work to resolve the problem.
As part of our commitment to equal opportunity, we strive to promote accessible venues for our audiences.
Current Programs:
The West Michigan Junior Strings
Since 2009, the West Michigan Junior Strings has offered violin and cello instruction to students ages 4 to 18, using a creative blend of the Suzuki Method and traditional string pedagogy. It has grown into a program serving students in over three counties with highly-skilled and committed faculty who are dedicated to fostering Suzuki’s vision that “every child can.” Dr. Suzuki's philosophy embraces the idea that all children are born with musical ability which can be nurtured at an early age through their environment, listening, imitation, and by working closely with a parent at home.
Focusing on creating a musically-nurturing environment, the Junior Strings reaches out to communities that have no existing string programs in the public schools. Students and parents meet with their instructor once a week for private lessons and monthly group classes, showcasing all progress at the end of the semester with a combined recital.
White Lake Solo Competition
Accomplished music students from many of Michigan's universities and colleges compete in a preliminary round, held annually in March. The top 10 are chosen to compete locally in the White Lake area in April. Monetary awards are given to the top three. An Audience Favorite is also chosen.
The White Lake Lecture Series
The White Lake Winter Lecture Series presents three wonderful and engaging presenters, showcasing a wide variety of expertise and talent in arts related fields.
The White Lake Chamber Music Festival
The White Lake Chamber Music Festival features excellent programming, exceptional talent and world-class artists, and inspiring classical music performances. A musical experience mostly found only in metropolitan cities is now an annual opportunity for White Lake area residents and visitors.
At the beginning of August, local, national, and international performers come together to bring big-city experiences to the White Lake area, making the fine arts more accessible in this community. Over twenty varied events and performances in just ten days will be presented.
The Festival is truly a unique, collaborative, community event. In only 10 years, nearly 200 concerts, in addition to recitals, master classes, youth concerts, the Young Artist Solo Competition, and open rehearsals have been held. The White Lake area is increasingly becoming known for presenting the best in classical music. Audiences continue to grow and come from greater distances, making the Festival and our area a vacation destination.
The Swan Series
The Swan Series is hosted by Robert Swan. In a series of three lectures, Robert will share many of his insights, experiences, and expertise gleaned from 34 years of performing in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under such famed conductors as George Solti, Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein, Leopoldo Stowkowski, Claudio Abbado, and many others.
The West Michigan Junior Strings
Since 2009, the West Michigan Junior Strings has offered violin and cello instruction to students ages 4 to 18, using a creative blend of the Suzuki Method and traditional string pedagogy. It has grown into a program serving students in over three counties with highly-skilled and committed faculty who are dedicated to fostering Suzuki’s vision that “every child can.” Dr. Suzuki's philosophy embraces the idea that all children are born with musical ability which can be nurtured at an early age through their environment, listening, imitation, and by working closely with a parent at home.
Focusing on creating a musically-nurturing environment, the Junior Strings reaches out to communities that have no existing string programs in the public schools. Students and parents meet with their instructor once a week for private lessons and monthly group classes, showcasing all progress at the end of the semester with a combined recital.
White Lake Solo Competition
Accomplished music students from many of Michigan's universities and colleges compete in a preliminary round, held annually in March. The top 10 are chosen to compete locally in the White Lake area in April. Monetary awards are given to the top three. An Audience Favorite is also chosen.
The White Lake Lecture Series
The White Lake Winter Lecture Series presents three wonderful and engaging presenters, showcasing a wide variety of expertise and talent in arts related fields.
The White Lake Chamber Music Festival
The White Lake Chamber Music Festival features excellent programming, exceptional talent and world-class artists, and inspiring classical music performances. A musical experience mostly found only in metropolitan cities is now an annual opportunity for White Lake area residents and visitors.
At the beginning of August, local, national, and international performers come together to bring big-city experiences to the White Lake area, making the fine arts more accessible in this community. Over twenty varied events and performances in just ten days will be presented.
The Festival is truly a unique, collaborative, community event. In only 10 years, nearly 200 concerts, in addition to recitals, master classes, youth concerts, the Young Artist Solo Competition, and open rehearsals have been held. The White Lake area is increasingly becoming known for presenting the best in classical music. Audiences continue to grow and come from greater distances, making the Festival and our area a vacation destination.
The Swan Series
The Swan Series is hosted by Robert Swan. In a series of three lectures, Robert will share many of his insights, experiences, and expertise gleaned from 34 years of performing in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under such famed conductors as George Solti, Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein, Leopoldo Stowkowski, Claudio Abbado, and many others.
Some of our Festival Venues
Ferry Memorial Church
Ferry Memorial
8637 Old Channel Trail Montague The oldest church edifice in the White Lake area is our brick sanctuary, now known as Heritage Hall, erected in 1874 in memory of Major Noah H. Ferry, who died in the Civil War battle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3, 1863. Noah H. Ferry, the son of Rev. William Montague and Amanda Ferry, was born on Mackinac Island, April 30, 1831. The family moved to Grand Haven in 1834, and in 1854, Noah and his brother Edward took over the family's lumber mill in White River Township. They prospered and gave much to the community, including building the first schoolhouse in the area in 1856. When the Civil War broke out, Noah became the captain of a 102 men company known as the "White River Guard." In early 1863, he became a Major. He was killed in battle against Robert E. Lee's forces at Gettysburg. When Noah died, his property reverted to his father. In March 1866, Rev. Ferry built the Red Lumber Mill on his son's property. At the same time, Rev. Ferry loaned money to Mr. E. R. Burrows to erect a two-story building at the corner of Dowling and Ferry Streets, with the stipulation that the second story be used for church services rent-free. Thus began the First Presbyterian Church of Montague in 1868. Unfortunately, Burrow's Hall burned down in 1871. At that time, Edward Ferry, Noah's brother, told church officials that his mother, who died in 1870, had left a bequest of $1500 toward the construction of a church in Montague, to be supervised by Edward and Mr. George Dowling. Edward then offered to pay for the entire construction of the church building, as a memorial to his deceased brother Noah. The building (which cost $12,000 to finish) and a parsonage were constructed on two lots donated by Edward. The buildings were finished in 1874, but finally dedicated on January 9, 1877. For many years a thriving church, membership plunged in the 1930's, and the church dissolved by 1942. A number of Reformed Church in America people had regularly attended Ferry Presbyterian Church while summering in the area. Thus, when the Presbyterian Church closed, a group of Reformed folk decided to form a new congregation in the area. The Presbyterians gladly leased the building to them for five years, with an understanding that if the congregation thrived, the property would be deeded to them for $1. Thus, Ferry Memorial Reformed Church was organized on October 28, 1942 with 15 families. The church grew and on October 1, 1947, the property was deeded to the Reformed Church. In the late 1970's, the church faced difficult decisions regarding its future. Particularly the church debated whether to build a new sanctuary, and if built, what should the sanctuary look like. A sanctuary was built and on November 1, 1981, the new sanctuary was dedicated. Someone observing the upward rise of the old sanctuary steeple, contrasted with the new sanctuary roof lines sloping down toward the earth, remarked: "It looks like Ferry Memorial is reaching up to God; and reaching out to people." That became our church's vision statement. The stained glass windows, depicting Old and New Testament scenes, were dedicated July 20, 1997. In late 1999, major sanctuary renovations added new seating, a new stained-glass window cross, a new sound system, new carpet, and a new ventilation system. A stainless steel full-size anchor was handcrafted by Mr. Wayne Vogel in memory of his friend, Rev. Lloyd Arnoldink. It was dedicated on September 1, 2002 during worship. "The Anchor Holds" became the church's theme for the year, emphasizing that in the sometimes smooth, sometimes turbulent seas of life, Christ is our steady security and hope. On September 21, 2008 we gathered to celebrated 138 years as a church on this site, 70 of those years as a Reformed Church in America congregation. praise God for his many blessings and share stories of the founding of Ferry Church. |
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