The Lansing Symphony Orchestra opened its 97th season Sunday, Sept. 20, with a piano trio performing inside First Presbyterian Church of Lansing instead of a concert hall.
The performance launched the orchestra's Musician Series, a series Development Manager Michael Goodman described as long-running, that sends small ensembles into neighborhood venues across the capital region. The church, at 510 W. Ottawa St., hosted the season's first notes.
Development Manager Michael Goodman told WILX the format is deliberate. "This series is very important because it basically gives people the opportunity to see a classical performance in a space that is more intimate," Goodman said.
He described the Musician Series as a way to expand the orchestra's sound directly into local communities. The series is one of several the LSO runs each season, alongside its MasterWorks, Pops and Family concerts, according to the orchestra's website.
The 97th season also marks a turning point for the orchestra's leadership. Timothy Muffitt led the LSO for 20 years before conducting his final program May 15 at Wharton Center's Cobb Great Hall. The orchestra has not yet named a successor.
Five music director finalists will each lead a MasterWorks concert this season, according to the orchestra's official finalists page and an April WKAR report. The candidates are Scott Seaton, Yue Bao, Joshua Gersen, Shizuo Kuwahara and James Blachly. Each will audition, in effect, in front of the Lansing audience.
That search begins with the next event on the LSO calendar. "Symphonie Fantastique," a MasterWorks concert, is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Wharton Center. Single tickets for the full 97th season are on sale at lansingsymphony.org.
Upcoming LSO events:
- Friday, Oct. 2 — "Symphonie Fantastique" (MasterWorks), Wharton Center, 7:30 p.m.
