Legends & Mysteries: Shackleton's Incredible Journey
2023-01-27 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | Great Lakes Center for the Arts, 800 Bay Harbor Dr., Petoskey, Michigan, 49770
Come learn and enjoy exploring Ernest Shackleton’s renowned leadership as illustrated by his incredible journey on the Endurance.
Audiences are given an immersive musical experience as they watch the story of Shackleton unfold through the presentation of live video, live theater, and the exhilarating live orchestral music of Ludwig van Beethoven, Henry Wood, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Felix Mendelssohn, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Edvard Grieg, Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams, & Benjamin Britten.
Don’t miss this performance that is sure to appeal to all ages.
*This performance will also occur in the afternoon on the same date to a sold-out audience of 500 7th-9th grade students as part of the Great Lakes Center for the Arts NextGen program.
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Learn even more about this amazing performance and the history behind it by visiting our education page at glcorchestra.org/shackleton!
The 2023 feature of our “Legends & Mysteries” educational series focuses upon the gripping story of Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance voyage, shipwreck, and subsequent rescue mission. Shackleton was one of the principal figures in the age of Antarctic exploration and our story focuses on Shackleton’s amazing traits of leadership. In this heroic tale, he brought all of his men back from 21 months of seemingly endless points of peril, to survive against all odds. Musical selections from classical to 20th century orchestral masterpieces represent these leadership traits including a sense of purpose, loyalty, optimism, flexibility, ingenuity, and responsibility. Audiences are given an immersive musical experience as they watch the story of Shackleton unfold through the series of scenes with both live actors on stage as well as original film footage captured by filmmaker and photographer Frank Hurley.
Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, became trapped in the ice in January 1915 and remained stuck until October, when the ice closed in and crushed it. Shackleton and his men then camped on the ice until April 1916 (for over a year!), when the floe broke up, and they were forced to sail in three lifeboats to Elephant Island. Almost 500 days had passed since they had stood on dry land. At that point, Shackleton and a few of his men made the 800-mile journey in a tiny boat, the James Caird, back to South Georgia, where he got help and returned to Elephant Island to rescue his crew- and miraculously, after nearly two years shipwrecked, every single one of them had survived.
The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra’s “Legends & Mysteries” educational concert series combines history, music and so much more. The presentation of live video, theater, and exhilarating orchestral music truly illustrates associative learning by helping to connect ideas and experiences that will promote intellectual curiosity as the audience learns more about the music, the history and the people who are involved in making both.

Terra Nostra
2023-04-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Great Lakes Center for the Arts, 800 Bay Harbor Dr., Petoskey, Michigan, 49770
Celebrate the beauty of our earth and the Great Lakes with this concert dedicated to the natural wonders of our world.
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We begin with an homage to indigenous/American Indian culture through music by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, a Chickasaw classical composer. Spirit Chief Names the Animal People is the Okanogan Indian story of how Coyote retained his name, given by the Great Spirit Chief. The music recorded is the orchestral version of the three powerful animals Bear, Salmon and Eagle – along with Coyote.

Terra Nostra (Our Earth in Latin) is a 30-minute multimedia symphony about climate change composed by Christophe Chagnard, and featuring documentary film by Charlie Spears. It was created to engage, educate, inspire, and empower people to initiate personal and policy change to protect our Earth.

Terra Nostra trailer:

The Great Lakes Cantata composed by Gwyneth Walker (GLCO composer-in-residence) is a musical journey across the magnificent five lakes (each represented by the five movements within the piece) bordering the Eastern US and Canada. Texts by American and Canadian poets have been selected as lyrics for this cantata. The journey moves from East (Lake Ontario) to West (Lake Superior), stopping to explore the unique character of each lake en route.

Out into the deep of the great dark world,
Beyond the long borders where foam and drift
Of the sundering waves are lost and gone
On the tides that plunge and rear and crumble.
-excerpted Carl Sandberg lyrics, representing Lake Michigan in the cantata

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Sunday Series: The Hummel Trio
2023-05-21 16:00 - 17:00 | First Presbyterian Church, Harbor Springs
Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra presents The Hummel Trio with Maestro Libor Ondras, as the finale to this season’s Sunday Series. The program will include works by César Franck, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johann Hummel. The trio includes Dr. Libor Ondras, violin, viola; Emily Grabinski Conklin, piano; and Andrew Laven, cello. The Hummel Trio is also the ensemble-in-residence at Grand Rapids Community College.

Sunday’s performance will include:

César Franck (1822-1890)

Sonata in A major for violin and Piano
Allegretto Moderato, Allegro, Moderato, Allegretto

L.v. Beethoven (1770-1827)

Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 4 in C major
Andante-Allegro vivace, Allegro-Andante-Allegro

Johann Hummel (1778-1837)

Piano Trio Op.65 in G major
Allegro con spirito, Andante grazioso, Rondo
Vivace assai e scherzando

Generous support for the Sunday Series is provided by Carolyn Klender.

From Bohemia's Woods & Groves
2023-06-10 19:00 - 20:30 | John M. Hall Auditorium, Bay View
Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting melodies and virtuosic performances at our summer-opening concert! Taking place at the historic John M. Hall Auditorium in Bay View, this musical extravaganza promises an unforgettable evening of classical brilliance.
At the heart of the concert is the spellbinding performance of Samuel Barber‘s timeless masterpiece, the Violin Concerto, delivered by the award-winning virtuoso, Dylana Jenson (the first American woman to win the Tchaikovsky International competition). Composed in 1939, Barber’s concerto encompasses three breathtaking movements. The first two movements overflow with lyrical beauty and irresistible melodies, drawing listeners into a world of unparalleled emotion. Yet, it is the grand finale that sets hearts racing, as the music races forward with unyielding intensity. With every note, the solo violin dances in perpetual motion, navigating intricate rhythmic complexities and astonishing virtuosity.
In addition to Barber’s masterwork, the concert embraces the Bohemian spirit through Antonín Dvořák‘s magnificent Symphony No. 8. Written in the key of G major, this symphony exudes a genial and uplifting atmosphere, captivating audiences from the first note. However, upon closer examination, one discovers the hidden allure of the minor-key passages woven seamlessly throughout the major-key composition. The Eighth Symphony, heralded for its innovation, marked a departure from Dvořák’s previous works. The composer sought to craft a musical experience that was distinctly individual and pioneering. By infusing his adoration for the Czech countryside into the symphony, Dvořák created a unique sonic landscape. Nature comes alive within the music, as the haunting calls of hunting horns and the melodies of birdsongs emerge from various wind instruments. Hanz-Hubert Schönzeler, Dvořák’s biographer, once remarked “When one walks in those forests surrounding Dvořák’s country home on a sunny summer’s day, with the birds singing and the leaves of trees rustling in a gentle breeze, one can virtually hear the music.”
Under the masterful guidance of GLCO’s esteemed Maestro Libor Ondras, the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra is set to transport you on a remarkable musical journey. Be prepared to be whisked away into the depths of Bohemia’s woods and groves, where each note resonates with beauty, passion, and the very essence of nature itself. This concert promises to be an extraordinary celebration of the boundless power of music.
Learn more about Dylana Jenson, featured violin soloist, here.
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From Vienna With Love
2023-07-20 19:00 | Great Lakes Center for the Arts, 800 Bay Harbor Dr., Petoskey, Michigan, 49770
Unleash the Magic of Vienna: Join us for ‘From Vienna with Love’ on July 20th!
Prost! Raise your glasses high and join the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra (GLCO) for a night of pure enchantment at our Strauss-fest in July! Get ready to waltz into a summer night filled with your favorite tunes, including the captivating Blue Danube Waltz and the exhilarating overture to Die Fledermaus. Brace yourself for an unforgettable evening as our extraordinary opera divas, Amy Cross and Jamie Platte, mesmerize you with their brilliant voices and radiant presence.
But that’s just the beginning! GLCO’s unique take on the Viennese Opera Ball goes beyond the music—it celebrates the cultural and economic bonds between Austria and America. It’s a night that seamlessly connects two continents and two centuries, bringing them together in a single, glamorous extravaganza. As the melodies fill the air, we invite you to immerse yourself in the grandeur of Vienna.
Prepare to be captivated as our renowned orchestra, led by Maestro Libor Ondras, sweeps you off your feet with waltzes, polkas, and quadrilles by Strauss, Lehar, Delibes, and more. Every note is infused with the spirit of Vienna, transporting you to a world of elegance and joy.
Secure your tickets now and be part of an experience that promises to be the highlight of your summer. Don’t miss the chance to bask in the opulence and grace of Vienna, as we unite two continents through music and celebrate the enduring relationship between Austria and America.
To purchase your tickets, click here or call our office at (231) 487-0010.
We can’t wait to share this extraordinary experience with you!

Women Composers Night
2023-09-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Great Lakes Center for the Arts, 800 Bay Harbor Dr., Petoskey, Michigan, 49770
Karisa Chiu, Featured Soloist for Women Composers Night
Experience an unforgettable evening of captivating music at the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra’s highly anticipated concert, “Women Composers Night.” Celebrating the remarkable talent of women composers, this extraordinary event promises an enchanting journey through the diverse and groundbreaking works of some of history’s most visionary musical minds. Featuring the extraordinary virtuosity of rising star violin soloist Karisa Chiu, this concert is a must-see for music enthusiasts of all ages.
The program boasts an exquisite selection of compositions that showcase the immense contributions of women to classical music. Immerse yourself in the resounding beauty of Jessie Montgomery’s electrifying Overture, a vibrant and dynamic piece that blends classical and contemporary elements with remarkable finesse. Feel the soul-stirring melodies of Amanda Rontgen Maier’s Violin Concerto, a masterpiece that demonstrates Maier’s unparalleled ability to blend lyricism and technical brilliance.
Prepare to be captivated by Florence Price’s Suite of Dances, a groundbreaking composition by the first African-American woman to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra. Through this stunning work, Price deftly weaves together elements of African-American spirituals, classical forms, and rich orchestration to create a tapestry of profound emotion and cultural significance.
Delight in the resplendent melodies of Ethel Smyth’s Serenade for Orchestra, a dazzling piece that showcases her mastery of orchestration and harmonic richness. Smyth, a prominent British suffragette, shattered societal norms and carved her own path as a composer in a male-dominated industry.
As the evening reaches its crescendo, experience the powerful energy of Joan Tower’s Made in America, a tour de force that reflects the pulse and spirit of the United States. Tower, an influential American composer, takes listeners on an exhilarating musical journey through landscapes both familiar and unknown, forging a connection between music and the American experience.
“Women Composers Night” promises to be an extraordinary celebration of musical brilliance, diversity, and innovation. Join us for an enchanting evening where the harmonies of these visionary women composers will stir your soul and leave an indelible mark on your musical journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the magic firsthand – secure your tickets today and be part of this remarkable event!
EVENING SCHEDULE
6:00 PM Pre-Concert Talk with Maestro Libor Ondras
6:30 PM Auditorium Doors Open
7:00 PM Concert Begins
Jessie Montgomery – Overture
Amanda Rontgen Maier – Violin Concerto
*Intermission*
Florence Price – Suite of Dances (possibly only one movement)
Ethel Smyth – Serenade for Orchestra in D
Joan Tower – Made in America
Post-Concert Reception in West Community Engagement Room

This concert is generously sponsored by Women Who Care in the Tip of the Mitt, Hestia Women’s Giving Circle, Charlevoix County Community Foundation, and the Jeff and Anne Miller Fund.

Messiah
2023-12-07 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-12-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Great Lakes Center for the Arts, 800 Bay Harbor Dr., Petoskey, Michigan, 49770
Join us on December 7th and 8th, 2023, for a cherished holiday tradition as the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra presents “Messiah” with the GLCO Choir. Experience the enduring cultural impact of George Fredric Handel’s masterpiece, “Messiah,” believed to have been performed every single year since its creation in 1741. Handel’s composition, which he completed in just 24 days, continues to captivate audiences with its timeless beauty and profound storytelling.
Handel’s “Messiah” is a musical journey that blends different national styles, from French Baroque to Italian opera and distinctly Germanic orchestration, creating a unique and eclectic experience. The instrumental preludes exude the opulence of the French court, while the vocal writing reflects Handel’s deep study of Italian opera. This oratorio, narratively rich and spiritually transcendent, draws from passages in the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter, making it a work of broad appeal.
In addition to “Messiah,” we will also present Gerald Finzi’s “In Terra Pax.” Finzi’s music, marked by personal tragedy and a love for the English countryside, offers a sense of peace and equanimity, even in the face of life’s challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of these timeless compositions, and join us for a holiday concert that is both spiritually uplifting and artistically enriching. Save the date, and let the music of Handel and Finzi fill your heart with the joy of the season.
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