BAY HARBOR – The Dorothy Gerber Strings Program provides exceptional, locally-based strings music education to students aged four years and up across the Greater Petoskey area, including in Charlevoix, Antrim, and Emmet counties.
Since its inception, the program has evolved to include individual private lessons including the Suzuki Method, the Dorothy Gerber Youth Orchestra, and free in-school string classes.
This weekend, Dorothy Gerber Strings Program students, music educators, and all who have been impacted by the program in the past and present will gather to celebrate its 20th Anniversary.
Dorothy Gerber Spring Showcase
Saturday, May 21 ~ 6:00PM
Great Lakes Center for the Arts
- The entire DGSP, including 250 students and instructors, will perform two pieces of music, including a Star Wars-themed opener and the program’s traditional rendition of Ode to Joy by Beethoven to conclude.
- In between, soloists and string quartets will alternate with varying levels of student orchestras, showcasing every aspect of the program.
- Lena Sytsma-Reed, a recent prizewinner in the Charles F. Davis Young Artist Competition, will be featured as one of the soloists.
- The Dorothy Gerber Youth Orchestra will perform an arrangement from Mahler’s first Symphony and welcome guest professionals, many of whom are members of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, in harp, brass and percussion, for an inspiring performance.
Dorothy Gerber Strings Program Anniversary Luncheon
Sunday, May 22 ~ 12:30PM
Great Lakes Center for the Arts
- The luncheon will feature reflections from influential leaders in the program’s history, including Karey Sitzler, the program’s first ever teacher, plus music provided by DGSP educators in The Cummings Strings Quartet. The luncheon will reflect the organization’s legacy and look excitedly towards the future.
