The South Haven Performance Series

The South Haven Performance Series is pleased to announce the summer portion of their 2023 series. All concerts will begin at 7 p.m.

On Friday, June 30, the Performance Series presents its opening gala, “Water Music on the Waterfront.” In its first-ever collaboration with the Michigan Maritime Museum, this event will celebrate the 306th Anniversary of the first performance of Handel’s Water Music Suite. In 1717, newly appointed Monarch King George I commissioned George Frideric Handel to write a piece of music that could be performed from a barge on the Thames River in London. The inauguration of the piece, the Water Music Suite, on July 17, 1717 was a lavish, festive affair as the river filled with barges. This inspiring piece will be the centerpiece of the evening concert. Other water-themed music from various eras and genres will be part of the 90 minute program. Performing the pieces will be the Alice Millar Brass, a group that began on the Northwestern University Campus and has since become the premier brass ensemble in the Chicago area. The group performs under the direction of Stephen Squires. The concert will be performed outside (or indoors in case of rain) along the beautiful waterfront of the Michigan Maritime Museum campus. The event coincides with the Museum’s emphasis on Working Waterfronts. This year the Museum is highlighting ways in which people interact with waterfronts for water-dependent activity, commerce, and enjoyment. Come experience an incredible evening and immerse yourself in the movement of water. Additional details and ticket information will be forthcoming.

On Friday, July 28, the concert will feature the return of beloved pianist May Phang. Currently Professor of Piano at DePauw University, Indiana, Phang has been praised by critics and audiences for her imaginative programming and compelling performances. May strives to deeply understand and bring fresh insights into the masterpieces of composers such as Beethoven and Chopin while equally committed to discovering and championing the works of today’s living composers. In addition to her solo work, Phang is also an avid chamber musician. Performances as soloist and chamber musician have taken her as far from home as the Goethe Institute in Bangkok and as nearby as the Detroit Institute of Arts. She has been described as “An amazing pianist…not just technique but sensitivity” — John Corigliano The concert will take place at the First United Methodist Church in downtown South Haven.

The Friday, August 25 performance will feature the Grand Rapids Guitar Quartet. This quartet is comprised of four award winning guitarists who currently make their homes in the West Michigan area: Andrew Bergeron, David Martin, Brian Morris and Kyle Thompson. For the past fourteen years they have received an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences at their sold out performances at colleges, universities, art centers, chamber music series and community concert series. The Quartet will present a program of a variety of transcriptions of masterworks, Latin music and original compositions, along with entertaining, informative and often humorous explanations about the music. The concert will be at the First United Methodist Church.