GRAND RAPIDS, MI, March 15, 2022 - The
Grand Rapids Symphony is full of gratitude to be presenting a full lineup of concerts in full capacity venues for the
2022-20223 season!"Our journey over the last two years has been marked with innovation, resilience and a drive to commitment to serve the West Michigan community," said Mary Tuuk Kuras, President & CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony. "Stirring programming in our 2022-23 season will nourish our mission and make our hearts full, even as we expand our relevance in the community."
In addition to its bedrock classical and pops series, the Grand Rapids Symphony will welcome back the Chamber Series and Coffee Classics concerts, and offer a new two-concert Sunday series - The Pianists. This season will mark the return of Symphony Specials, including the highly anticipated double-feature finale of Harry Potter series!
"I think this is going to be a very dynamic and robust season, with a wide variety of programing really offering something for everyone," said Music Director, Marcelo Lehninger. "This year we have continued our focus on diversity by planning a lineup of concerts, soloists and composers who underscore our commitment to inclusion."
The 2022-23 Richard and Helen DeVos Classical Series, boasts some significant classical blockbusters such as Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, Strauss' Also sprach Zarathustra and Mozart's Requiem. There will be two world premieres: one from composer Nina Shekhar entitled Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner and another from Grand Rapids Symphony oboist, Alexander Miller, Immortal Beloved.
We have invited exceptional guest artists, sponsored by the Edith I. Blodgett Guest Artist Fund including violinists Sarah Chang and Rachel Barton Pine, organist Cameron Carpenter, as well as the return of Michigan-based saxophone virtuoso, Timothy McAllister. We are also honored to feature the talent of two of our own Grand Rapids Symphony musicians, concertmaster James Crawford and violinist Megan Crawford. In addition to our esteemed Music Director, Marcelo Lehniger, three outstanding conductors will take the podium to lead the orchestra this season - Carlos Miguel Prieto, Bramwell Tovey and Tianyi Lu.
There is a lot to be excited about in this season's Fox Motors Pops Series. The orchestra will take the audience on a trip down memory lane to the 1960's for the magic of Motown, then close the season by jazzing things up with a showcase of music from the Prohibition era. Our Pops fans can also plan on attending our cherished holiday tradition - the University of Michigan Health-West Holiday Pops. In addition to all these fun-filled evenings, audiences will not want to miss a night at the movies with The Polar Express in Concert - featuring the film on the screen while the orchestra performs the soundtrack live to picture.
Symphony Specials planned for 2022-23 include the last two films in the Harry Potter series - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part One in Concert and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part Two in Concert in January. Later in the spring, audiences can sing along to the multi-platinum songbook of the band Chicago with guest artists Brass Transit.
Season ticket renewals will open to current Grand Rapids Symphony subscribers on March 22, 2022. Renewing subscribers will have access to buy tickets for Symphony Specials. New subscriptions go on sale April 5. Single tickets go on sale to the public on July 5. Symphony Specials go on sale to the public September 6.
Subscribers who renew by April 19 will avoid additional handling fees. To renew a subscription or purchase tickets, contact the Grand Rapids Symphony Ticket Office at 616-454-9451 x 4, weekdays 10am-5pm, or mail your renewal to 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100.
About the Grand Rapids SymphonyOrganized in 1930, the Grand Rapids Symphony is nationally recognized for the quality of its concerts, the breadth of its educational programs, and the innovation of its initiatives to support diversity, equity and inclusion as well as to serve the wider community in non-traditional settings. Led by Music Director Marcelo Lehninger, and Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt, West Michigan's largest performing arts organization is affiliated with the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus. GRS collaborates annual with Opera Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Ballet and biennially with the Gilmore Keyboard Festival in Kalamazoo.