Live, from Battle Creek!
Ever since the formation of The Music Center in 2000, we’ve been passionate about building community through music. The Music Center is a unique combination of music arts and programs, we work to influence the lives of children and adults of all ages and talent levels.
Although the past year and a half has been full of challenges, our mission remains the same. If anything, we’ve learned more about the incredible power of music to unite a community through unprecedented times.
Even though we were separated, last year’s virtual season was a huge success, thanks to the support of our generous patrons and local foundations, especially the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation and the Miller Foundation. Our community came together to prove that when words fail, music manages to bridge the gap.
With our 2020-2021 season behind us, we are thrilled to announce that we are now welcoming the community into our classes and venues, in-person, and with safety precautions in place. We can’t wait for the community to experience all the amazing offerings we have in store!
Our Community Music School has already reopened for most classes and instruments and will re-start voice lessons next month. We’ll be resuming Music First and Music Second classes for ages 0-7 very soon as well!
We’re excited to announce the Battle Creek Symphony is returning for in-person performances this season, starting with our first concert on October 2nd. “New Beginnings,” featuring Kevin Cole on piano, is an All-American concert that truly celebrates coming together after a year apart.
We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome you back for one of Maestra Harrigan’s most ambitious seasons yet offering a variety of classic, contemporary, and one-of-a-kind commissioned music. See our website for the full season lineup, and join us for some exciting events in the coming months before the first performance. www.BattleCreekSymphony.org.
Starting in September, our Choirs are returning! This includes the Battle Creek Boys choir and Girls Chorus, Sojourner Truth Choir, and the Battle Creek Community Chorus.
Our free IMPACT program is gearing up for the fall session of Hip Hop dance, percussion, and piano, this programming will begin in October.
If this past year has proven anything, it’s that music has the ability to break down barriers and build people up, even in the most challenging of times. For 22 years now, we’ve been using music to build bonds among those of diverse interests, ages, and backgrounds. We truly believe that music is the “Great Equalizer,” and through it, we find common ground upon which to support and help grow our community.
No matter if you’re a new student, an experienced musician, or simply moved by live performances, we encourage you to join us this season as we come together once again, in person and in song!
We invite you to share with us how music speaks to you on social media via the hashtag #MusicSpeaksBC and tagging us at @battlecreeksymphonyorchestra To learn more about The Music Center, please explore our site for information about classes, tickets, and offerings, or contact us for more information.
Get to Know our Guest Artist
When 24-year-old Pianist Janice Carissa was younger, her instructors cautioned her not to “play faster than the music.” She took their advice to heart, as students do, but never really understood what they meant until recently. After studying music for almost two decades and learning countless pieces for performances and recitals around the world, she’s letting go and listening to her heart.
Get to Know our Guest Artists
Ron Oppenheimer defies gravity. With grace and precision, he deftly climbs and descends a pole, suspended from above. His body creates one abstract form after another in a passionate performance made only more powerful by the music that accompanies his every move.
Oppenheimer is one of seven cirque – as in Cirque de Soleil – performers who will be joining the Battle Creek Symphony in a first-of-its-kind show that combines the music of the full orchestra with performance art. The Magic of Cirque and Symphony will debut Saturday at 7:30 on March 4 at the WK Kellogg Auditorium.
Hold On, America, Hold On! Community Forum and Reactions
The Battle Creek Symphony is partnering with Kellogg Community College this month to present a free community forum event focused on a musical response to social unrest and the Black experience that was performed in Battle Creek last spring.
The “Hold On, America, Hold On!” forum, presented by the Battle Creek Symphony in conjunction with KCC’s Music Program and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, in the auditorium of the College’s Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center, on campus at 450 North Ave. in Battle Creek.
Hold On, America, Hold On!
The music community illuminates issues facing African Americans today and explores Black history. On the morning after the murder of George Floyd, Anne Harrigan, the artistic director of the Music Center and conductor of the Battle Creek Symphony, decided to go out for a coffee in her Grand Rapids neighborhood only to find one of her favorite coffee shops boarded up. She knew protests were sweeping across the city, but the stark reality of those wooden windows stunned her.
Music Speaks Through the Battle Creek Symphony
In operation since 1899, the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra (BCSO) represents the longest continuously performing orchestra in Michigan. With deep roots in Battle Creek and the surrounding area for the past 123 years, the BCSO has some of the highest quality symphonic traditions to be found.
Let’s take a look at the history of the BCSO, how it coped with the challenges of the past year, and what lies ahead for the 2021-2022 season.
Music and Mental Health
Music has the power to soothe, excite, calm and comfort us. Whether tied to a tender moment, the joy of playing an instrument, or the excitement of a concert—music often goes hand-in-hand with some of our most impactful memories. A group bonding experience or individually meditative moment spent with music can act as a bridge to better wellbeing, both physically and mentally.
Live, from Battle Creek!
Ever since the formation of The Music Center in 2000, we’ve been passionate about building community through music. The Music Center is a unique combination of music arts and programs created to enhance the lives of children and adults of all ages and talent levels. Although the past year and a half has been full of challenges, our mission remains the same. If anything, we’ve learned more about the incredible power of music to unite a community through unprecedented times.
We'd Love to hear from you!
Phone: 269.963.1911
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (COVID-19)
The Music Center is currently open and resuming all activities. We take the safety of our students and staff very seriously and follow the CDC and State of Michigan safety guidelines. While we understand some may wish to adhere to their own interpretation of protocols, you will be required you to comply with safety postings in our building in order to participate in our classes and lessons.