Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra in St. Joseph, Berrien County, United States | Orchestra

Welcome to the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, St. Joseph, United States. Before perusing this season to examine all the exciting concerts and events the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, St. Joseph will present in 2007/2008, let us pause for a moment to reflect on the season just past.

First, and most obviously, the Orchestra musicians consistently produced beautiful music, both as an ensemble and as guest soloists. It was truly an honor to be with them.  Second, you, the audience reacted to our symphony with any musician’s dream response: tumultuous or breathlessly silent depending on the context. It was truly an honor to be with you.  So what does all this mean?

Well, to me it means that we have, together found a place where art can do what it is supposed to do – allow a space for us all to escape the mundane, the routine and the earthbound, in order that our perceptions might become more acute, our thoughts deeper and our imaginations richer.

The new season of Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra was designed with a view to expanding and cultivating that space. We have programmed some familiar classics, such as the Seventh Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven and Rimsky-Korsakov’s sensuous Scheherazade – surely two of mankind’s greatest musical creations. We have branched out in new ways, such as a world premiere percussion concerto by noted composer David Stock and we have indulged in a moment of sweet nostalgia with Davy Jones and the music of his iconic group “The Monkees.”  I am absolutely certain that you will find something interesting, powerful or moving in every concert.  Please do join us for each and every one.