The Grand Rapids Symphony is a professional orchestra located in Grand Rapids , Michigan , USA . Founded in 1930, the Symphony celebrated its 90th anniversary season in 2019-20. In 2006, its recording Invention and Alchemy was nominated for Best Classical Crossover Album at the Grammy Awards. The Grand Rapids Symphony presents more than 400 performances throughout Michigan each year, reaching over 200,000 people, and is heard in West Michigan on broadcasts by WBLU-FM (88.9) and WBLV-FM (90.3) . The organization also implements 18 educational and access programs that benefit over 80,000 Michigan residents.
26-523: Since 2016, the Grand Rapids Symphony's music director has been Marcelo Lehninger . In 2000, the orchestra toured northern Lower Michigan and to Michigan's Upper Peninsula with performances at Ferris State University , Interlochen Center for the Arts , Lake Superior State University , Northern Michigan University and Michigan Technological University , where the Grand Rapids Symphony was
52-653: A bachelor's degree in conducting from the Brazilian Conservatory of Music and a master's degree from the Conductors Institute at New York's Bard College , where he studied conducting under Harold Farberman and composition with Laurence Wallach. His mentors also include Kurt Masur, Mariss Jansons, Leonard Slatkin and Roberto Tibiriçá. Lehninger resides with his wife, Laura Anne Krech, and their daughters near Grand Rapids, Michigan . Grand Rapids Symphony The Grand Rapids Symphony
78-582: Is a professional orchestra located in Grand Rapids , Michigan , USA . Founded in 1930, the Symphony celebrated its 90th anniversary season in 2019-20. In 2006, its recording Invention and Alchemy was nominated for Best Classical Crossover Album at the Grammy Awards. The Grand Rapids Symphony presents more than 400 performances throughout Michigan each year, reaching over 200,000 people, and
104-504: Is heard in West Michigan on broadcasts by WBLU-FM (88.9) and WBLV-FM (90.3) . The organization also implements 18 educational and access programs that benefit over 80,000 Michigan residents. Since 2016, the Grand Rapids Symphony's music director has been Marcelo Lehninger . In 2000, the orchestra toured northern Lower Michigan and to Michigan's Upper Peninsula with performances at Ferris State University , Interlochen Center for
130-660: The American Federation of Musicians , representing the largest, professional orchestras in the United States. The Grand Rapids Symphony's previous music director, David Lockington , stepped down from the post in May 2015 to become music director laureate, the first in the Grand Rapids Symphony's history. Associate conductor is John Varineau , who is in his 35th anniversary season with the Grand Rapids Symphony in 2019-20 as well as in his 32nd season as conductor of
156-476: The American Federation of Musicians , representing the largest, professional orchestras in the United States. The Grand Rapids Symphony's previous music director, David Lockington , stepped down from the post in May 2015 to become music director laureate, the first in the Grand Rapids Symphony's history. Associate conductor is John Varineau , who is in his 35th anniversary season with the Grand Rapids Symphony in 2019-20 as well as in his 32nd season as conductor of
182-818: The Arts , Lake Superior State University , Northern Michigan University and Michigan Technological University , where the Grand Rapids Symphony was the premier entertainment for the grand opening of Michigan Tech's $ 20 million Rozsa Center for Performing Arts, which opened in October 2000. In 2003, the GRS performed in Detroit’s Orchestra Hall as part of inaugural activities for the remodeled Max M. Fisher Music Center. The orchestra celebrated its 75th anniversary season by making its debut in New York City's Carnegie Hall on May 21, 2005. The Grand Rapids Symphony
208-877: The BSO in performances of that program in New York City’s Carnegie Hall . In 2013, Lehninger was elevated to the rank of associate conductor, a position he held with the BSO for two seasons until 2015. An alumnus of the National Conducting Institute, Lehninger made a successful debut with the National Symphony Orchestra in 2007 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. , and
234-814: The Boston Symphony Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic , was soloist in music including Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos ' Momoprecoce for piano and orchestra, a work that had been performed only once previously in Carnegie Hall by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1959. In 2023 they performed alongside Grammy award winning R&B artist Ne-Yo The Grand Rapids Symphony also collaborates with Opera Grand Rapids and with Grand Rapids Ballet in live performances. Musical organizations that are part of
260-549: The Boston Symphony Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic , was soloist in music including Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos ' Momoprecoce for piano and orchestra, a work that had been performed only once previously in Carnegie Hall by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1959. In 2023 they performed alongside Grammy award winning R&B artist Ne-Yo The Grand Rapids Symphony also collaborates with Opera Grand Rapids and with Grand Rapids Ballet in live performances. Musical organizations that are part of
286-773: The Grand Rapids Symphony, Lehninger served as music director of the New West Symphony in Los Angeles from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure with the New West Symphony, Lehninger was awarded the 2014 Helen M. Thompson Award for an Emerging Music Director, an award given once every two years by the League of American Orchestras . In 2010, Lehninger was appointed assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra by James Levine , who
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#1732791693161312-498: The Grand Rapids Youth Symphony. Robert Bernhardt was named principal pops conductor in 2015. In June 2016, Brazilian-born conductor Marcelo Lehninger was named the 14th music director of the Grand Rapids Symphony. He had formerly served as music director of the New West Symphony in Los Angeles, and associate conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra . The biennial Grand Rapids Bach Festival, which
338-413: The Grand Rapids Youth Symphony. Robert Bernhardt was named principal pops conductor in 2015. In June 2016, Brazilian-born conductor Marcelo Lehninger was named the 14th music director of the Grand Rapids Symphony. He had formerly served as music director of the New West Symphony in Los Angeles, and associate conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra . The biennial Grand Rapids Bach Festival, which
364-718: The Mendelssohn Foundation. In 2011, he participated in the Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview, organized by the League of American Orchestras, conducting the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra . Born into a musical family, Lehninger is the son of German violinist Erich Lehninger and Brazilian pianist Sônia Goulart. While growing up, he studied both of his parents' instruments. Lehninger holds
390-691: The larger Grand Rapids Symphony include the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra, both led by John Varineau; the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, a 140-voice, adult, volunteer chorus directed by Pearl Shangkuan; and the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus, co-directed by Sean and Leah Ivory. The Grand Rapids Symphony collaborates with its local community to bridge cultures with an annual concert titled “Symphony with Soul” featuring national and local African-American guest artists. A percentage of
416-517: The larger Grand Rapids Symphony include the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra, both led by John Varineau; the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, a 140-voice, adult, volunteer chorus directed by Pearl Shangkuan; and the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus, co-directed by Sean and Leah Ivory. The Grand Rapids Symphony collaborates with its local community to bridge cultures with an annual concert titled “Symphony with Soul” featuring national and local African-American guest artists. A percentage of
442-428: The premier entertainment for the grand opening of Michigan Tech's $ 20 million Rozsa Center for Performing Arts, which opened in October 2000. In 2003, the GRS performed in Detroit’s Orchestra Hall as part of inaugural activities for the remodeled Max M. Fisher Music Center. The orchestra celebrated its 75th anniversary season by making its debut in New York City's Carnegie Hall on May 21, 2005. The Grand Rapids Symphony
468-506: The proceeds from this event supports the Grand Rapids Symphony's Mosaic Scholarship Fund” created in 2005 through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The scholarship fund provides musical instruments and music lessons for young African-American and Latino students in the Grand Rapids area. The Grand Rapids Symphony presents eight concert series annually during the fall and winter from September through May, and one concert series in
494-445: The proceeds from this event supports the Grand Rapids Symphony's Mosaic Scholarship Fund” created in 2005 through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The scholarship fund provides musical instruments and music lessons for young African-American and Latino students in the Grand Rapids area. The Grand Rapids Symphony presents eight concert series annually during the fall and winter from September through May, and one concert series in
520-803: The summer in July and August. Marcelo Lehninger Marcelo Lehninger (born 1 October 1979, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is music director of the Grand Rapids Symphony , a professional orchestra located in Michigan , U.S.A. , and artistic director of the Bellingham Festival of Music in Washington State . Lehninger became the 14th music director of the Grand Rapids Symphony in June 2016. Prior to his appointment with
546-815: Was invited to conduct the NSO again in 2008. During the 2007–08 season, Lehninger served as music advisor of The Orchestra of the Americas. In the summer of 2008, Maestro Lehninger toured with TOA and pianist Nelson Freire in South America, conducting concerts in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. In 2008, Lehninger was awarded the First Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Scholarship, sponsored by the American Friends of
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#1732791693161572-452: Was launched in 1997 and is held in the spring every other year in Grand Rapids, is an official affiliate of the Grand Rapids Symphony. In March 2018, Julian Wachner was appointed Artistic Director. In 2018, Lehninger led the Grand Rapids Symphony, joined by the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, in the orchestra's second appearance in Carnegie Hall on April 20. Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire , who has performed previously in Carnegie Hall with
598-449: Was launched in 1997 and is held in the spring every other year in Grand Rapids, is an official affiliate of the Grand Rapids Symphony. In March 2018, Julian Wachner was appointed Artistic Director. In 2018, Lehninger led the Grand Rapids Symphony, joined by the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, in the orchestra's second appearance in Carnegie Hall on April 20. Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire , who has performed previously in Carnegie Hall with
624-523: Was music director at the time. In October 2010, Lehninger made his debut leading the BSO in a performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto with soloist Pinchas Zukerman . In March 2011, Lehninger stepped in on three days’ notice for Levine to rehearse and lead the BSO in concerts including the world premiere of a new Violin Concerto by Harrison Birtwistle . Shortly after the premiere in Boston, Lehninger led
650-508: Was nominated in 2006 for a Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album for its recording, "Invention & Alchemy," featuring harpist and composer Deborah Henson-Conant. "Invention & Alchemy" also was recorded for a DVD, which has aired on PBS-TV in the United States. In 2013, the GRS joined the ranks of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) , one of five player conferences within
676-432: Was nominated in 2006 for a Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album for its recording, "Invention & Alchemy," featuring harpist and composer Deborah Henson-Conant. "Invention & Alchemy" also was recorded for a DVD, which has aired on PBS-TV in the United States. In 2013, the GRS joined the ranks of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) , one of five player conferences within
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