Our summer concert series features pieces that are inspired by space exploration, as well as by planets in the solar system. These selections provide adequate tempo and stylistic contrast, and represent different historical periods. Selections include: G P. Telemann: Klinende Geographie, P. Sarasate: Navarra op 33, A. J. Kernis: Musica Celestis, and Gustav Holst: The Planets. This event takes
Season opening concert presenting the World premiere of a newly commissioned work by composer, David Lockington entitled, The Violet Viola Concerto. This piece was written for the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and Music Director and violist, Libor Ondras, and was inspired by the birth of Lockington’s granddaughter, Violet. ll Señor Bruschino Overture by Gioachino Rossini
Join the The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra on Sunday, October 27th at 7:00PM, as they welcome the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet dancers on stage during the Angels and Demons concert, featuring music by Schubert, Death and the Maiden, André Caplet's Masque of the Red Death and Ravel, Pavane for a Dead Infante.
Violinist, violist, conductor and professor Dr. Eric Lawson has had a varied career in performance and education. Past performances as a conductor, soloist and lecturer have taken him to Austria, Brazil, China, Germany, Romania and Scandinavia. Before returning to his home state of Michigan, he was based in North Dakota where, in addition to serving as a violin instructor at Bismarck State College, Jamestown College, and the University of Mary, he was also concertmaster of the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra and established the Bismarck-Mandan Youth Symphony. Other former academic appointments have included Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Central College in Pella, Iowa and the University of North Dakota where he founded the string program and the UND Chamber Orchestra.
Here in Michigan, Dr. Lawson as been very active with the Alpena Symphony Orchestra as its concertmaster, conductor and president of the board. He also performs with many other orchestras in Northern Michigan and participates in the Traverse Symphony as a first violinist, in the Gaylord Symphony as concertmaster and as assistant concertmaster in the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra.
And finally, in what has been one of the most important experiences of his life outside of music, he also served almost four years as an Alpena County Commissioner, representing Ossineke and Sanborn Townships. In addition to serving as chair of the Salary and Personnel Committee, he also served on the Airport, Ambulance, District Court, Circuit Court Management and Jail Committees. He also represented Alpena County in Gaylord with the Northern Michigan Regional Entity Substance Use Disorder Board and continues to serve on the Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Board. Dr. Lawson resides in Ossineke with his wife and two children.
