Sister Bay, Wis. (March 24, 2025) – Season tickets for Wisconsin’s oldest summer chamber music series go on sale March 31, as the organization celebrates its 35th season of presenting exceptional chamber music in the vacation paradise of Door County. Concerts hailed as “exciting, pulse-pounding, and riveting” are held in cultural, historical, and scenic locations, including art galleries, museums, and historic sites, with several venues offering panoramic views of Lake Michigan and Green Bay waters.
The 2025 season features over 40 concerts performed by world-class musicians, drawing on the extraordinary talent of artists from the Chicago Symphony and Lyric Opera, Milwaukee Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Marlborough Music Festival, Detroit Symphony, the Ravinia Festival, and the renowned Pro Arte Quartet, among others. Standard repertoire and gems from lesser-known composers – especially woman composers and ethnically diverse composers – attract a growing, dedicated following of concertgoers every year, plus thousands more who join in via Wisconsin Public Radio, Live from Chicago’s WFMT Radio, Sirius XM Radio, and social media Facebook, YouTube, and the Violin Channel.
Providing unique and memorable musical experiences in inviting venues, the 2025 summer season is a three-month celebration featuring music including Schubert’s Octet, Piano Quintets by Schumann and Franck, and a wide variety of additional chamber music for winds, strings, and piano. In September, Door County’s favorite bluegrass virtuoso, Eric Lewis, teams up with Midsummer’s affiliate, the Griffon String Quartet, for a series of enthralling and irreverent crossover concerts. Midsummer’s third annual Autumn Music Fest is set to be played in Door County venues in October.
Highlights from the multifaceted organization’s summer season include opening night on June 12 with Wisconsin Public Radio’s Norman Gilliland, a spectacular 35th anniversary “Big Tent Door County” gala on July 16, and the annual Labor Day Gala at Björklunden in Baileys Harbor. In addition to Eric Lewis and the Griffon String Quartet, selected guests include virtuoso fiddle player and composer George Meyer and bassist Kris Saebo, as well as Grammy-nominated composer Gernot Wolfgang, who will present his Impressions, a septet for winds and strings. Adding to the excitement, the Musical Chairs auction returns, showcasing hand-painted, music-inspired chairs crafted by talented Door County artists. Bid on these unique creations in a spirited live auction under the Big Top!
“An inviting, engaging, exciting, and welcoming experience awaits you,” says Jim Berkenstock, Midsummer’s Artistic Director. “We’re pulling out all the stops for a fantastic season of music and fun.”
Veteran favorite musicians will return, including violinist David Perry, pianist Jeannie Yu, flutist Heather Zinninger, and more. Post-concert receptions are frequently included and offer the opportunity for attendees to mingle with the musicians.
Collaborations continue with local arts organizations including Write On, Door County, and Peninsula School of Art, featuring partnerships with local artists and noted poets who create original pieces inspired by the music being performed.
Visit www.midsummersmusic.com or call 920-854-7088 to explore concert details and to order tickets.
Midsummer’s Music was co-founded in 1990 by Jim and Jean Berkenstock, long-time Door County summer residents and principal orchestral players with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. What began as two concerts among friends has become one of the Midwest’s most anticipated chamber music series, bringing thousands of chamber music enthusiasts from around the globe to the magical Door County Peninsula.
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