2022 Festival
Excitement is building in anticipation of live performances returning to the White Lake area. From July 29 through August 7, the White Lake Chamber Music Festival will present an impressive array of exceptional performances! Excellent programming, world-class artists, and inspiring classical music performances will take place in a variety of venues in the White Lake area.
The Chicago based, world-renowned Avalon String Quartet returns to the White Lake area as the Festival’s quartet-in-residence. This quartet, described as “…deeply musical and sheerly gorgeous”, is the cornerstone of the Festival. Diverse as their three programs will be, each will feature a work by the great Austrian composer Johannes Brahms. Power, tenderness, beauty of melody and harmony, rhythmic complexity, and formal clarity all combine, making Brahms one of the most beloved of all composers. Their first concert will feature one of the three great string quartets, the second one of the two sextets for strings – augmented by Catherine Brubaker violist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Marina Hoover chamber music specialist and recitalist. Their third program will conclude with the emotionally charged Piano Quintet in f minor!
Pianist Andrea Swan will return offering a program showcasing works by Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, and Chopin (Beethoven the revolutionary and the three great romantics!) Andrea will be joined by cellist Marina Hoover in a very interesting concert. The first half is entitled “Criss Crossing the Pyrenees”, the mutual influence of Spanish and French composers in early twentieth century war torn Europe. The second half of the program will include the great Brahms E minor Sonata for cello and piano.
A Detroit Symphony trumpet concert heralds the opening of the festival followed by a return engagement of the wonderful Detroit Symphony Trio – flute, violin, and cello. John Sharp, principal cellist with the Chicago Symphony, and his trio will perform the Brahms Piano Trio in C minor and the Beethoven “Archduke” Trio.
Daily Salon Concerts at 4PM at the Book Nook and Java Shop will feature a demonstration and lecture by Lyon Leifer on the Bansuri Flute, a North Indian bamboo flute and Hindustani raga music. Other Salon Concerts feature a Detroit Symphony violin and cello duo, a woodwind trio, mandolin recital, 4-hand piano recital, and more!
Concluding the week will be the ever-popular Baroque Festival Orchestra concert featuring conductor Thomas Wikman, harpsichordist David Schrader, and flutist Lyon Leiffer in a varied program ending with the dazzling Suite in b minor for Flute and Orchestra by Johann Sebastien Bach. Hunter Eberly, trumpet and Katelyn Lee, soprano will also be featured.
A Gala Dinner/cook out will complete the Festival on August 7 at the White Lake Golf Course Pavilion with artist Michael Schaeffer, accordion.
Returning to a full 10-day festival with children’s concerts, a children’s recital, meet and greets, and open rehearsals, 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 Festival is grateful for a grant received from the White Lake Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. This, plus the generous support of individuals and businesses, helps make it possible to bring great artists and great music to the White Lake area.
A limited number of tickets will be available starting June 1 at the Book Nook & Java Shop (231-894-5333) and on-line at www,whitelakemusic.org.
2019 Festival
In 2019, the White Lake Chamber Music Festival celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a stunning season. Running from August 2nd to 11th, a continuous lineup of exceptional performances and events took the stage each day.
Ahead of the festival itself, a highly anticipated pre-celebration concert — “Sunset Serenade” — was held at the beautiful home of Harold and Barbara Wheaton. Detroit Symphony flutist Jeff Zook and Oakland University guitarist Bret Hoag performed.
The Festival officially opened with a spectacular brass concert featuring the Gaudete Brass Quintet. Special presentations were made by local officials in honor of the 10th anniversary.
A highlight of the event was the return of the Chicago-based, world-renowned Avalon String Quartet who presented three full concerts, a children’s concert, open rehearsals, and community outreach. Other local, national, and international performers came together to perform as well, including virtuoso violinist James Buswell who was joined by cellist Carol Ou and pianist Andrew Goodridge in performing a trio concert featuring Beethoven’s “Ghost” Piano Trio and Brahms’s Piano Trio in B major, Op.8.
The Detroit Symphony Trio explored repertoire from classical to modern. Flutist Jeffery Zook, violinist Sheryl Hwangbo and cellist David Ledoux made their debut at the festival by performing Devienne, Piazolla, and Edgar Girtan, among others. Andrea Swan, Chicago’s well-known chamber musician, collaborative pianist, orchestral keyboard player, soloist, and teacher, performed a brilliant piano recital. Another audience favorite was the Festival Chamber Orchestra’s showcase of Baroque composers.
A range of talented guest artists performed daily at the Book Nook and Java Shop, including William Watson, tenor and Tracy Watson, soprano; Cello duo Michael Carrera and Pablo Mahave-Veglia; and 4 Hand Piano (Bryan Uecker and Steve Thielman plus flutist Don Bailey). Solo Competition winners also performed: Vireo Trio (violinist Michelle Valllier, cellist Erin Wang, and pianist Bryan Uecker); classical guitar duo Brian Morris and Jonathon Marshall; and the John Varineau Woodwind Ensemble.
Youth programming was also expanded to include more events:
The White Lake Chamber Music Festival is a truly unique and collaborative community event. The White Lake area is increasingly becoming known for presenting the best in classical music. Audiences continue to grow and come from greater distances, solidifying the festival and our area as a highly desireable vacation destination.
Your financial support can make a significant difference.
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