West Michigan Symphony 2026-26 Season Includes ABBA, Alvin Waddles, Superheroes, and More!

Muskegon, MI — Between its Mainstage Series at the historic 1,700-seat Frauenthal Center and its listening room for the musically curious, the 115-seat The Block, West Michigan Symphony’s 2025-2026 concert season offers an incredible variety and a length of season normally associated with much larger markets. Between late September and mid-May, 23 programs and 24 performances will take place—including classical symphony, orchestral pops, combo jazz, chamber, classical and contemporary piano, top-drawer Broadway vocalists and more.

 “Between the ensembles and the venues, West Michigan Symphony (WMS) provides a live experience that’s second to none,” said President & CEO Andy Buelow.

“When guest musicians and artists come here for the first time, it’s always the same: they’re amazed by the beauty and acoustics of the Frauenthal Center and The Block; and blown away by the quality of the orchestra. New audience members always have the same response—‘I had no idea.’”

The Mainstage Series features the 64-member symphony orchestra which, under Music Director Scott Speck’s cultivation, has mastered the full Classical-Romantic repertoire and performs at a level normally associated with much larger metropolitan areas. WMS players are professional musicians from Michigan and other states who make their living teaching and performing in a variety of orchestras and ensembles. This provides WMS with the energy and versatility so central to its artistic personality.

“They are truly amazing,” said Music Director Scott Speck. “Many musicians call West Michigan their home, but a number come from elsewhere in the state, some from the Chicago area, and we even have one who drives up from New Orleans! The orchestra is like a musical jewel-box full of solo quality players. When they gather onstage, something magical always happens.”

Acclaimed musician Alvin Waddles will perform with his Alvin Waddles Trio on September 26

The series also features guest artists of international profile whose visit often includes educational programs and other community activities. Their residency culminates with a performance or dual performances: a Friday evening concert with the orchestra at the Frauenthal Center and a Saturday evening solo appearance at The Block. An example this season is pianist-improviser-composer Charlie Albright, who performs Rachmaninoff’s beloved Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the orchestra on Friday, November 14 and then offers a solo piano program at The Block the next night.

The Block provides a variety of genres, including jazz, classical and “curious.” WMS orchestral performances at the Frauenthal are also about more than classical music. In fact, the Mainstage Series opens on Friday, October 3 with the band Direct from Sweden performing the music of ABBA, backed by the full symphony. Even the classics are often given a fresh twist; “Superheroes at the Symphony” on January 30 pairs music from the Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Spider-Man movies with Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet and Stravinsky’s Firebird.

Find the full season schedule at Home - West Michigan Symphony Orchestra.

The music of ABBA with Direct from Sweden

SEASON TICKETS

A variety of season ticket packages are available, saving up to 20% off the price of buying tickets individually. Package prices start as low as $99 for a 3-concert package. Visit westmichigansymphony.org to explore options and pricing. 

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS

Individual tickets for The Music of Abba, Orchestra’s Greatest Hits, Home for the Holidays, and Superheroes at the Symphony are currently on sale. All other concerts go on sale beginning September 2.  Individual ticket prices vary depending on performance, starting at $19. Visit westmichigansymphony.org to purchase. 

MORE ABOUT WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY 

An anchor cultural organization headquartered in Muskegon, West Michigan Symphony is a resident presenting group at the Frauenthal Center, where its eight-concert season is the most visible part of a larger artistic enterprise of far-reaching community benefit. WMS concerts and education events bring 16,500 people—more than 30% of whom are children and students—downtown annually, making it the largest performing arts organization on the West Shore.

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