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Handel’s Messiah — History, Insight, and the Music!

Join Robert Swan on December 13, at 7PM in the sanctuary of the White Lake United Methodist Church (8555 Cook St..) as he offers to you his insights and thoughts on Handel’s Messiah — one of the most beloved pieces of music ever. Come and hear (and sing along, if you like) the great music from the inspiring “Hallelujah Chorus” to the wonderfully intimate “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth”. Learn more about Handel, the background of the music, and gleanings borne of years of his personal experience and reflection.

Mr. Swan is retired from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra after 36 years of devoted inspiration and practice in the viola section. He has performed the Messiah close to 100 times in his career, playing it with some of the greatest conductors, singers, choruses, and instrumentalists in the world. He held the post of Professor of Viola at Northwestern University from 1972-1980.

Free-will donations will be accepted to help support UMC’s community outreach programs. For more information, please call Sondra Cross, director, at 232-329-3056.

This opportunity is presented by the White Lake Music Society. They remain committed to bringing great music to the White Lake Area, all of Michigan, and beyond.

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White Lake Chamber Music Festival July 18-26, 2025

The White Lake Chamber Music Festival continues to impact the White Lake area as it enters the 15th season of presenting an impressive array of exceptional performances! Excellent programming, world-class artists, and inspiring classical music performances will take place from July 18-26, 2025 in the White Lake area. What once was mostly found only in metropolitan cities, is now a yearly experience in the White Lake area.

Past Festival 2024

2024 White Lake Chamber Music Festival Presents In Home Concert featuring David Hall

June 27, 2024
7:00 PM

The White Lake Chamber Music Festival will present a special home concert on June 27, 7:00PM, featuring marimbist David Hall.  This is a fundraiser for the upcoming, 15th annual 2024 White Lake Chamber Music Festival, August 2 – 10.

David Hall has been Assistant Principal Percussionist and Assistant Principal Timpanist with the Grand Rapids Symphony since 1987. As one of America’s leading marimbists, David has been delighting audiences with his virtuosity and musical sensitivity. In addition to his many recitals throughout the Midwest, David often solos with the Grand Rapids Symphony and other West Michigan arts organizations. He has toured as a soloist in Taiwan, in Guatemala, and together with the North American Choral Company.

David served as Acting Assistant Professor of Percussion at Michigan State University from 2003-05 and at Central Michigan University in the fall of 2008. He is a member of the Michigan Touring Artist Roster and is represented by Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates. David lives in the Forest Hills area with his wife, Caroline, and two sons, Benjamin and Evan.

A limited number of tickets are available in advance at the Book Nook & Java Shop, 8744 Ferry St., Montague 231-894-5333 and online at https://whitelakemusic.eventbrite.com.  All proceeds will go to help underwrite the cost of the 2024 White Lake Chamber Music Festival in August.  Tickets are $60 and include hors d’oeuvres, wine, coffee, desserts, and exceptional music making in the beautiful home of Harold and Barbara Wheaton on Lake Michigan.

For more information, please call 231-329-3056 or visit www.whitelakemusic.org.

The White Lake Chamber Music Festival

August 2 - 10
2024

The Grand Reveal of the 15th Season of the White Lake Chamber Music Festival

The remarkable strength, character, and history of the White Lake Chamber Music Festival continues to impact the White Lake area as it enters the 15th season of presenting an impressive array of exceptional performances! Excellent programming, world-class artists, and inspiring classical music performances will take place from August 2 – 10, 2024 in the White Lake area. What once was mostly found only in metropolitan cities, is now a yearly experience in the White Lake area.

The Festival’s new Artistic Director, Marina Hoover, is taking the Festival to new heights with exciting programming and bringing together a new array of musicians. Each evening performance will feature a unique combination of music and performers. While some concerts will be centered around a theme, others will be a splendid potpourri – all will showcase fine talent and inspiring music!

New to the 2024 Festival will be two fun-filled Family Concerts. The first Family Concert features “The Carnival of the Animals”, a humorous musical suite of fourteen movements with narration showcasing animals represented by different instruments, by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The second Family Concert, “Enchanting Musical Stories”, will feature Peter and the Wolf – a symphonic folk tale written by the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev and the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Children’s imaginations will come alive as they are captivated by the dramatic story telling and enticing music.

The Grand opening night of the 2024 Festival entitled “Ah! Schubert!”, is packed with some of the best loved music: Schubert’s Piano Sonata D.664, Schubert’s Shepherd on the Rock for clarinet, soprano, and piano, Erlkönig D328 and Die Forelle Op. 32, D 550, and the finale – Schubert’s Trout Quintet!

Every evening concert is rich in offerings: Mozart Clarinet Quintet, Dover Beach Op. 3 for Voice and String Quartet by Samuel Barber, Shostakovich Piano Quintet, Mozart Kegelstatt Trio, Dvorak Piano Quintet No. 2, and so much more. Ending the Festival will be “The Heart & Soul of Russia” featuring music of Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky with a grand finale of Souvenir de Florence Op.70 Sextet by Tchaikovsky.

Daily 4pm Salon Concerts at the Book Nook & Java Shop return with an exciting variety: Dulcimer Diversions featuring Collins Trier performing original compositions, traditional folk and bluegrass, and musical storytelling; a Student Recital showcasing area piano, voice, and instrumental students; Jasmine Lin and Emily Nebel will perform a Violin Duo Recital; returning singers Angela De Venuto, soprano; Leo Radosavljevic, bass will present “Music and Letters by Clara and Robert Schumann”; Russian clarinetist Sergey Gutorov will perform works by Carl Maria Von Weber, Poulenc, Debussy, and more; and retired Chicago Symphony violist Bob Swan and Blue Lake Radio Host Foley Schuler will share on “Melodies That Touch You Forever”, music of Mozart, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky!

A well-received addition to last year’s Festival is making a comeback with a different twist! “Cabaret Night: Broadway Comes to White Lake” at the Book Nook & Java Shop will wrap up the 2024 Festival on August 10 with a grand celebration featuring singers Angela De Venuto and Leo Radosavljevic.

This year’s eight-day festival is packed with so many exciting offerings: no cost daily 4PM Salon Concerts at the Book Nook & Java Shop, a children’s concert, a children’s recital, meet and greets, and Cabaret Night “Broadway Comes to White Lake”. There will once again be the world’s greatest music wonderfully played, combined with the soft summer weather, beaches, and spectacular sunsets. All of this makes the White Lake Chamber Music Festival a vacation destination for an ever-growing audience from near and far.

The generous support of individuals and businesses makes it possible to bring great artists and great music to the White Lake area. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Director Sondra Cross (231-329-3056) for more information.

For a schedule of this year’s delightful Festival events, please visit www.whitelakemusic.org.

Cabaret Night: Broadway Comes to White Lake

Saturday, August 10
9:00PM

Savannah Voice Festival singers Angela De Venuto and Leo Radosavljevic will perform during a special late night party,  “Cabaret: Broadway Comes to White Lake” on Saturday, August 10 at 9:00PM at the Book Nook & Java Shop (8744 Ferry St., Montague). Tickets are $25 and include appetizers and wine. A limited number of tickets are available at the Book Nook & Java Shop (231-894-5333) and on-line at https://whitelakemusic.eventbrite.com.

The Daily Telegraph of London called “Cabaret” “a daring and great musical that combines unforgettable songs with genuinely gripping drama.” The Los Angeles Times says it is “eternally captivating.”

Chicago native Angela De Venuto’s vibrant soprano and magnetic stage presence has brought her to perform such roles as Adele (Die Fledermaus), the title role of Angélique (Ibert), Emily Webb (Our Town), Fiametta (The Gondoliers), and Peep-Bo (The Mikado) with DePaul Opera Theatre, and Lady Saphir (Patience) with Savoyaires. Recently, Angela has performed with the Chicago Symphony, Northwest Chicago Symphony Northwestern University, was soprano soloist for Vivaldi’s Gloria, and covered the role of Musetta (La bohéme) with Kor Productions. She performs throughout the country as a soprano soloist.

Praised for his “steely power” (Voix des Arts) and “resonant bass” (Opera News), Leo Radosavljevic is a presence on the operatic stage. Mr. Radosavljevic is sought after around the world for his “excellent musicianship” and “expansive delivery”. On the concert stage, he has appeared as soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic, Metropolis Symphony, The Orchestra Now, New Julliard Ensemble, the Savannah Voice Festival, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Ravinia Festival in Chicago and Carnegie Hall in New York.

This year’s eight-day festival is packed with so many exciting offerings: no cost daily 4PM Salon Concerts at the Book Nook & Java Shop, a children’s concert, a children’s recital, meet and greets, evening concerts, open rehearsals, and Family Concerts. There will once again be the world’s greatest music wonderfully played, combined with the soft summer weather, beaches, and spectacular sunsets. All of this makes the White Lake Chamber Music Festival a vacation destination for an ever-growing audience from near and far.