By Jim Berkenstock, Midsummer’s Music, Board President and Artistic Director
“Something extremely unusual is happening on the music scene in our area.” These are the words of Warren Gerds, Critic at Large for the Green Bay PressGazette, writing recently of the Griffon String Quartet. “Four musicians are making history as concert artists who teach,” he goes on. And finally, “Nothing like this group has existed [before] in Northeastern Wisconsin.”
But it does now, thanks to Midsummer’s Music. In fact, Mr. Gerds could easily be speaking of all of the programming that Midsummer’s Music provides throughout the year, including the 40-some concerts Midsummer’s performs throughout the summer involving as many as 20 musicians, among the best professionals in the country.
Mr. Gerds goes on to mention the extensive calendar of events the Griffon presents including “Music for Food” to benefit the Door County Food Pantry Coalition, and the B Double Sharp programs for memorychallenged seniors. The list is long and comprehensive and includes a heavy schedule of teaching youngsters and programs designed to introduce very young children to the wonders of music through the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club of Door County, and the Fine Arts Institute at East High in Green Bay.
Midsummer’s Music established this groundbreaking program in 2018, and having endured the Pandemic, it is now thriving and living up to all expectations. With the Griffon, Midsummer’s Music is the only professional music organization presenting musical offerings in Northeastern Wisconsin continuously throughout the year.
I am writing you today to ask that you help continue this groundbreaking, exciting, and “extremely unusual musical happening in our area.” We are fortunate among performing organizations to have been able to continue offering musical performances and teaching situations despite and throughout the Pandemic. We have kept our musicians working providing for you, our community. It has taken an extreme effort and has been costly, yet we have persevered.
To make sure we can continue this effort, we have been offered a very generous matching grant of $50,000, which will double every dollar raised up to that amount by December 31 of this year.
This gift represents a serious affirmation that this kind of artistic commitment by Midsummer’s Music should be rewarded and supported. I’m sure you agree.
Please join the Griffon and all of us at Midsummer’s Music in our important mission. Please help us finish out this year on a most positive note and help us ensure a strong start to the new year. We have a budget of over $500,000, so every dollar matters. And, every one of your dollars will be matched, so please be as generous as possible. We are so delighted that you are a member of our family and are extremely grateful for your support.
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