Midland Community Orchestra

Midland Community Orchestra, a full ensemble of volunteer musicians from throughout the area, in concert. Call director Tim Frank at 835-2255 for program details or to join the orchestra.

---

Concerts

Sunday, April 20 at 3:00 p.m.
Timothy Frank, Conductor
Messiah Lutheran Church
Poseyville and Gordonville Rds., South of Downtown Midland.

Program:
Themes from 007 – arranged by Calvin Custer
The Man I Love – George Gershwin
Moon River – Henry Mancini
Duke Ellington Medley – arranged by Calvin Custer
Emperor Waltz – Johann Strauss, Jr.
Bacchanale Ballet Music from Samson and Dalila – Camille Saint-Saens
Sicilienne from Pelleas and Melisande – Gabriel Faure
Pavane for a Dead Princess – Maurice Ravel
Valse Triste – Jean Sibelius
Thunderer March – John Philip Sousa

Join the Midland Community Orchestra for a Pops Concert featuring favorite show tunes and popular selections from the world of classical music. The orchestra will begin with music taken from film and stage scores including a medley of tunes from James Bond 007, The Man I Love by George Gershwin, Moon River by Henry Mancini, and big-band swing music by Duke Ellington. The orchestra will also play the Emperor Waltz by Johann Strauss, Jr. as heard in the final scenes of the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. The second half of the program will feature French classical music including the sultry Bacchanale ballet music from Samson and Dalila by Saint-Saens, the famous flute solo from Pelleas and Melisande by Faure, and the beautiful yet melancholy melodies of Pavane for a Dead Princess by Ravel. The orchestra will continue with the elegant music of Valse Triste by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, and then conclude the concert and the season with the rousing music of John Phillip Sousa’s Thunderer March.

Admission: Free

History of the Midland Community Orchestra

The Midland Community Orchestra was founded in the fall of 1991 by Robert Ralston, Vernon Stenger, and the late Lawrence Guenther. This effort is to be commended. This all-volunteer orchestra has succeeded in what it set out to do: provide an arena for area musicians to get together, practice, and perform - simply out of their love of music. The Midland Community Orchestra has given more than 35 free concerts during the past 13 seasons, and has featured many local and area soloists, and vocal groups, along with several guest conductors.

About 55 musicians participated in the first concert, given on February 9, 1992. This concert was directed by Robert Ralston, who recently retired in April 2007 and was succeeded by Timothy Frank. Assistant conductors have been Paul Schultz and Lois Palen.

The Orchestra is under the umbrella of the Midland Symphony Orchestra Board of Managers, with special start up support from the Midland Foundation. In addition, there has been support from Midland Public Schools for rehearsal space and use of their music libraries. Donations from various individuals, and music folders from Camp's Music and an anonymous donor have been appreciated over the years. The Orchestra continues to perform 3 free concerts per year.

To the Top

Mission

As the original founders intended, the purpose for the Midland Community Orchestra remains the same: “To provide an arena for area musicians to get together, practice, and perform - simply out of their love of music.”


How to Join

The Midland Community Orchestra is an all-voluntary group of Individuals that is comprised of advanced students, music veterans, and accomplished professionals. Please feel free to contact any our members for more information or you may introduce yourself to our conductor through email: TCFrank@dow.com.

Photos courtesy of SAVAS Reflective Photography, 2615 Ashman St. Midland, MI, 989-708-0252.

To the Top