West Michigan Symphony Receives MCACA Grant Award

MUSKEGON, MI, January 29, 2011

The West Michigan Symphony today announced it received a $10,000 grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs for fiscal year 2011.

WMS is one of 176 organizations throughout the state that received funding from MCACA for operational and project support. MCACA serves to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity in Michigan.

"As one of only a handful of professional regional orchestras in the state, we are grateful to MCACA for its contribution in helping us to continue to bring classical music to our audiences throughout West Michigan," said Carla Hill, president/CEO of WMS. "In a time of ever-deepening cuts to funding for arts organizations, every dollar we receive helps us make a positive impact on the lives of so many along the lakeshore and beyond."

Recent program and educational highlights of WMS include a week-long Russian music festival, a large-scale, multi-media presentation exploring the history of manufacturing in Michigan and an expansion of the Symphony's educational outreach programs. Upcoming programs for the 2010-11 season, which concludes June 3-4, will feature "Beethoven and Blue Jeans," with special guests eighth blackbird, a multi-media presentation exploring West Michigan's role in sustainability, and a return engagement by Las Vegas talent, Steve Lippia.

About West Michigan Symphony
As one of the few professional regional orchestras in Michigan, West Michigan Symphony has played a leading role in the region's cultural community for more than 70 years. Founded as the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, WMS now serves a regional audience with eight pairs of concerts annually, along with dozens of educational and outreach activities for children and adults. WMS oversees operations for the West Michigan Youth Symphony. For more information, visit http://www.westmichigansymphony.org.