Composers Build Community

The March MAJIC concert featured six different local composers, each who premiered their work for the concert. The quality of the compositions and performances was unexpected as well as the response from the community. Works were submitted in early January and each composer selected to have their work performed received a stipend for the perfomance. The concert offered a wide variety of geners and performance mediums to stretch the listerner's ears: solo jazz piano, sacred choral, solo classical guitar, concert chamber music, latin popular, and a free jazz jam out.

Susan Guerra, mom of one of the boys in the the choir commented to me after to the concert, "I think this was the best concert so far. Having local composers play their work gives such a nice feeling of community. I think local music making takes the emphasis away from "show" and from money making, and turns the event into people coming together to hear new music and support musicians who are really going for it in Grand Rapids."

Check out the photos and descriptions below!
Thanks to Kirby Hanson for the photos, Division Avenue for the Arts for the juried art works
and to the BLC worship committee for the reception!

From MAJIC 2008-2009 Concerts

Steve Talaga performs Winter Suite

From MAJIC 2008-2009 Concerts

Chad directs Preces and Responses

From MAJIC 2008-2009 Concerts

Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys

From MAJIC 2008-2009 Concerts

Gideon premiers his Sonata for Guitar

From MAJIC 2008-2009 Concerts

Carol VanRandwyk's Las Alas del Viento

From MAJIC 2008-2009 Concerts

Daniel Castro sings his tunes with soul

From MAJIC 2008-2009 Concerts

The End Times Orchestra Jams it Out

From MAJIC 2008-2009 Concerts

The Boys examine the Avenue for the Arts submissions

High Energy with Steppin' In It and Rick Beerhosrt

From MAJIC 2008-2009 Concerts

The February MAJIC concert made for an incredible pairing of music and art with a fantastic American Roots band called Steppin' In It and inspiring works by local artist Rick Beerhorst.

Our attendance was up for this concert, at around 120, and I found from the people who attended the concert that a lot of connections were made between many different types of music and art goers. The guys in Steppin' In It were especially appreciative for the opportunity to play for the MAJIC series because they typically play in bars where music tends not to be the first preoccupation for people. The sanctuary setting at Bethlehem Church also allowed the band to play acoustic, something they love to do, but don't normally have the opportunity to do.

Thanks to Rick Beerhorst for the art showing and important introduction before the concert that helped people to understand the importance of engaging with visual art and music in a public setting.

Thanks also to the Bethlehem Church Worship Committee for the great reception after the concert.

From MAJIC 2008-2009 Concerts