Tuesday, December 17, 2019

DID SOMEBODY SAY CHRISTMAS??


DID SOMEBODY SAY CHRISTMAS?? Oh no, I see your panic, you can’t believe it’s almost Christmas and you ARE so behind in EVERYTHING. Where has the time gone?? Oh boy.


Stop (in the name of love)! Just wait a minute, and here me out:

This is for all of you who are not done shopping or who have yet to start shopping! Sure, you can Amazon order gifts or you can fight the crowds at the stores, but do you REALLY want to risk your items NOT coming in on time or the stores not having the correct items in stock because you’re a Last Minute Lenny or Lucy and cannot get your ducks in a row this time of year? (not attacking you, just stating facts here). I have something that can get the job done. Something that can really provide that WOW factor for your family or friends. This something, my dear Phil friends, is the gift of music.


The gift of music, you say? Yes, I say, the gift of music. Sounds a little hoaky, but it’s not. Concert tickets are a great replacement for gifts that may end up getting re-gifted or sitting in the closet. Don’t ya wanna give someone something that’s going to be useful and meaningful?

You: Yes, Holly.

Me: Good, how about a concert?

You: But, Holly!! Where do I find a GOOD concert to send them to?

Me: Oh do I have something for you!!





Sunday, January 19, 2020 at the beautiful Inn at St. John’s Chapel in Plymouth, Michigan, the Michigan Philharmonic will be performing their Miniature Masterpieces: A String Serenade. The oh so wonderful, Nan Washburn, has put together a unique show, combining various composers, their different styles, as well as their backgrounds.



Here’s a quick program overview:

Gustav Hoist? Gustav Hoist! His Brook Green Suite, H. (190) will be performed, beautifully I presume. A simple, English number, that turns into a tarantella-like finish, will start the show.

Moving right into the folk theme, and not looking back, we will hear the works of Béla Bartók, a composer and musicologist. His Romanian Folk Dances feature 6 separate numbers, each being quick and short, while getting progressively more exciting by the final one.

Next, we will get our Mexican folk fix with Paquito D’Rivera’s Wapango. This piece features an Afro-Cuban/Venezuelan flare and will bring a little HEAT to that COLD January afternoon.

Here, we will get a special treat. The Phil will be joined by composer, violinist, and violist, Mr. Stuart Ross Carlton. Not only will the Phil be playing an original piece written by this gentleman, but he will also be there to perform alongside. HOW COOL. Although he is not the only composer alive out of the composers whose pieces the Phil is playing, he IS the only one coming and performing LIVE with the orchestra. Which is even cooler. (Yes, jab at you Paquito). Not only is Stuart an accomplished composer, violinist, and violist, having graduated from the University of Michigan, he is also no stranger to the Michigan Philharmonic family. He was once a part of the Youth Orchestra! One of our golden children hath returned to us! Welcome back!

HOLD. THE. PHONE. Not to mention it will be the WORLD PREMIERE of his new orchestration of Amazing Grace. Just saying, you can witness a little slice of history for a small lil price (info below). People probably didn’t know, at one point, that they were watching Mozart…….just saying….

They’ll be wrapping up the show with a familiar name, Tchaikovsky, performing his Serenade for Strings in C Major. Ah, how fitting. A Serenade of Strings for A String Serenade, am I right?

Well, not that you got the facts. Whatcha say?

Miniature Masterpieces, a perfect gift!


Miniature Masterpieces: A String Serenade
Sunday, January 19, 2020
2:00PM
The Inn at St. John’s Chapel – Plymouth, MI

General Admission: $30
Senior Admission: $25
Student Admission: $10