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.
A history of overcoming challenges
BCSO has been a longstanding presence in the Battle Creek community even when presented with massive trials, like those faced in the Great Depression. When many companies worldwide were reducing their marketing budget, Battle Creek legend W.K. Kellogg decided not to reduce his and even ordered an increase in spending. Miraculously, when the depression ended, Kellogg Co. had gained a significant market share. This local success served as an inspiration to the BCSO management at the time, who were looking for any shred of community hope in an incredibly bleak time.
More recent challenges have shown that the BCSO has what it takes to stand the test of time. Much like the rest of the world, the orchestra has faced shutdowns, changing COVID restrictions and safety protocols over the past 18-months or so. Despite these obstacles, the BCSO still managed to share the power of music with audiences across the country.
How did BCSO do it? Against all odds, the 2020 season was entirely virtual.
Bringing music to the people
Anne Harrigan, the BCSO conductor since 2003, faced the challenges of a virtual season head-on in her 19th year with the orchestra.
The first concert represented a trial run and learning experience for the orchestra when the world was at the peak of apprehension over COVID concerns. It was a beautiful performance, a trio of horns called “Top Brass.” It was exactly what the community needed at the time; connection through music.
The next few concerts brought new obstacles as the pandemic evolved and restrictions continuously changed. So, BCSO evolved right along with it.
The third symphony was “A Dicken’s Christmas.” What was intended to be an orchestra of 20 along with needed videographers, audio people, etc., to present it virtually brought the number up quickly to the max 25 people allowed indoors together. Then, one week before the concert, the Governor reduced the number to 10.
Despite mounting challenges, Anne came up with another idea and managed to pull off the performance with a reduced number of players. It was a wonderful concert with narration from a gifted orator who switched off hats and scarves to play the various parts—another solution for the changing times.
Concert 4 was Russian Romance with “Romance” and “Romeo and Juliet.” Included in this was a childhood classic, “Peter and the Wolf,” with staging elements provided by the Grand Rapids Ballet. The filming of this concert was picked up by PBS and will be aired this October.
Producing an hour-long orchestra video was a massive, laborious process taking the Maestra over 80 hours per concert to produce, plus the cost of the tech people, etc. In the end, the BCSO managed to keep losses for the year at a minimum thanks to donations, extra funding from community foundations, and various state and national government grants. Although it was decided early on that all concerts would be free, donations and support flowed in from viewers all over the U.S.
Fortunately, for the 2021-2022 season, audiences are invited back into venues once more—live and in person! The incredible lineup of upcoming concerts includes “New Beginnings,” “Guys & Dolls: A Musical Fable of Broadway,” “Holiday Extravaganza,” “The New World,” and “The Gilmore Concert.”
If this past year has proven anything, it’s that no matter the challenge, music continues to speak through the sound of the BCSO. Thanks in no small part, to the generous support of the community.
For more information on any Music Center concerts or programs, please visit the website at www.YourMusicCenter.org or call 269-963-1911, ext. 2586.
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.