Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra

Musical Storybook | The Huss Project
2025-06-14 10:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | The Huss Project, 1008 8th St, Three Rivers, MI, 49093, United States
This is a free community event.
Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.
Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.
Please reach out to The Huss Project with questions.
Storybook: Last Stop on Market Street
This award-winning modern classic—a must-have for every child’s home library—is an inclusive ode to kindness, empathy, gratitude, and finding joy in unexpected places, and celebrates the special bond between a curious young boy and his loving grandmother. Featuring a special quintet of musicians, musical styles from classical to pop infuse this story with singable excitement.

Musical Storybook | Sturgis District Library
2025-06-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Sturgis District Library, 255 North St, Sturgis, MI, 49091, United States
This is a free community event.
Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.
Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.
Please reach out to the Sturgis District Library with questions.
Storybook: The Color Monster
One day, Color Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad, and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows him what each feeling means through color. Featuring a solo string instrument, this program pairs music the matches each emotion and gives each person a chance to feel their own feelings.

Free Community Concert | First Presbyterian Church
2025-05-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church, 321 W South St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
RESCHEDULED: This event was rescheduled from March 18 to May 20.
Join us for a free concert at Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church!
PROGRAM:
Anna Clyne | Primula Vulgaris
John Duncan | Three Proclamations for Trombone and String Quartet
Rodolphe Kreutzer | Quintet in C Major
Ludwig van Beethoven | String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major, “Harp”
Tickets are required for this performance. Click here to reserve your tickets!

Public Lecture: Phillips Brothers’ Orchestra Part II
2025-04-10 15:00 - 16:30 | Douglass Community Center, 1000 W Paterson St, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007, United States
The Phillips Brothers’ Orchestra: A Two-Part Course
TUES | APRIL 8 & THUR | APRIL 10
3:00-4:30 p.m.
Part 1: The Phillips Brothers | Black Musicians in the Origins of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Part 2: Race Discrimination in American Orchestras | Origins, Outcomes, and Today’s Responses
Dr. Karika Parker, WMU Lewis Walker Institute
Liz Youker, KSO Vice President of Artistic Operations and Education
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Unbeknownst to many, the Phillips Brothers’ Orchestra of Kalamazoo was a classical musical foundation for the current Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. In this discussion-based course, we will delve into the historical and photographic record of the Black musical quartet, the Phillips Brothers, and other Kalamazoo-based Black musicians of that era, and shine a light on the role racism, exclusion and oppression played locally and nationally in the formation of today’s professional orchestras.
We will examine the outcomes of dominant narratives and structural inequities, which served to alienate Black performers, composers, conductors, and managers.
We’ll learn how today’s Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra board, staff, and musicians, alongside orchestras across the US, are working to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion through research and relevance.
Register here.
Photo Credit: The Harmonic Brass Band of Kalamazoo, c.1894. Pictured: (standing L-R) C.H. Hill, A. Wilson, L.D. Bates, F.E. Wilson, H.H. Wilson, O.H. Stafford, (middle L-R) J.E. Harris, A.T. Hedgbeth, Wm. Steward, G.F. Hill, (front L-R) C.O. Bailiff, J.T. Pool. (not pictured: S.F. Liggins, J. Boyd, G.L. Phillips, S.C. Phillips, J.F. Phillips). Courtesy, Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections.
Kalamazoo Public Library – Phillips Brothers

Public Lecture: Phillips Brothers’ Orchestra Part I
2025-04-08 15:00 - 16:30 | Douglass Community Center, 1000 W Paterson St, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49007, United States

Musical Storybook | Washington Square Branch - Kalamazoo Public Library
2025-03-21 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-03-21 09:30 - 10:30 | Washington Square Branch, 1244 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, United States
Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.
Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.
Please reach out to the Washington Square Branch to register for this event.
Storybook: Hum and Swish
This program by our storybook trio, best for younger children and families, tells the story of a young person who just wants to make something at the beach. She is continuously interrupted by strangers, friends, and family and is challenged to express how she feels about these interruptions. This show includes an opportunity to think about how different music makes you feel.

Musical Storybook | Eastwood Branch - Kalamazoo Public Library
2025-03-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Eastwood Branch – Kalamazoo Public Library, 1112 Gayle Ave, Kalamazoo, 49048, United States
Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.
Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.
Please reach out to the Eastwood Branch to register for this event.
Storybook: Hum and Swish
This program by our storybook trio, best for younger children and families, tells the story of a young person who just wants to make something at the beach. She is continuously interrupted by strangers, friends, and family and is challenged to express how she feels about these interruptions. This show includes an opportunity to think about how different music makes you feel.

Musical Storybook | Central Branch - Kalamazoo Public Library
2025-03-17 10:30 - 11:30 | Central Branch, 315 S Rose St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.
Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.
Please reach out to the Central Branch to register for this event.
Storybook: Hum and Swish
This program by our storybook trio, best for younger children and families, tells the story of a young person who just wants to make something at the beach. She is continuously interrupted by strangers, friends, and family and is challenged to express how she feels about these interruptions. This show includes an opportunity to think about how different music makes you feel.

Musical Storybook | Alma Powell Branch - Kalamazoo Public Library
2025-03-14 09:30 - 10:30 | Alma Powell Branch – Kalamazoo Public Library, 612 North Park St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.
Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.
Please reach out to the Alma Powell Branch to register for this event.
Storybook: Hum and Swish
This program by our storybook trio, best for younger children and families, tells the story of a young person who just wants to make something at the beach. She is continuously interrupted by strangers, friends, and family and is challenged to express how she feels about these interruptions. This show includes an opportunity to think about how different music makes you feel.

Musical Storybook | Oshtemo Branch - Kalamazoo Public Library
2025-03-12 11:30 - 12:30, 2025-03-12 10:30 - 11:30 | Oshtemo Branch – Kalamazoo Public Library, 7265 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009, United States
Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.
Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.
Please reach out to the Oshtemo Branch to register for this event.
Storybook: Hum and Swish
This program by our storybook trio, best for younger children and families, tells the story of a young person who just wants to make something at the beach. She is continuously interrupted by strangers, friends, and family and is challenged to express how she feels about these interruptions. This show includes an opportunity to think about how different music makes you feel.

POSTPONED - Bullock Series: Burdick-Thorne String Quartet and Lori Sims
2025-01-29 19:30 - 21:00 | Dalton Center Recital Hall, 1300 Theatre Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, United States
This event will be rescheduled at a later date. Please reach out to the Western Michigan University School of Music for more details.
The Symphony’s Burdick-Thorne String Quartet joins pianist Lori Sims.

Kalamazoo Kids In Tune Winter Showcase
2024-12-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Loy Norrix High School, 606 E Kilgore Rd, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, United States
Kalamazoo Kids in Tune and Orchestra Rouh will perform in their free Winter Showcase concert at Loy Norrix High School’s Kasdorf Auditorium on Monday, December 16 at 5:30 p.m.
This performance is an opportunity for families and the community to hear what our elementary and secondary students have been working on so far this school year. Join us for tunes by Beethoven, The Rahbani Brothers, Michael Jackson, and more!
This is a free concert and tickets are not required.
Working closely with Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS), the Symphony offers Kalamazoo Kids in Tune, a free, innovative after-school music, orchestra, and youth development program at KPS Woods Lake Elementary and Milwood Magnet School.

Musical Storybook | Central Branch - Kalamazoo Public Library
2024-11-13 10:00 - 10:30 | Central Branch, 315 S Rose St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.
Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.
Registration is required.
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Storybook: Berlioz the Bear
Zum, zum, buzz…. zum, zum, buzz…
What’s that strange buzz coming from the double bass? Berlioz has no time to investigate, because he and his bear orchestra are due at the gala ball in the village square at eight. But Berlioz is so worried about his buzzing bass that he steers the mule and his bandwagon full of musicians into a hole in the road and gets stuck.
Time is running out, and if a rooster, a cat, a billy goat, a plow horse, and an ox can’t rescue the bandwagon, who can?
Featuring a string quartet and the music of Pachelbel’s Canon, plenty of sound effects, and a couple of surprises, Berlioz the Bear will leave you cheering and wanting more!
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Free Community Concert | First Presbyterian Church
2024-11-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church, 321 W South St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Join us for a free concert at Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church!
PROGRAM:
Michael Daugherty | Diamond in the Rough
Franz Schubert | String Quartet No. 13 in A minor, “Rosamunde”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Oboe Quintet in C minor
Tickets are required for this performance. Click here to reserve your tickets!

Instrument Petting Zoo | Coldwater Library
2024-11-09 10:00 - 10:30 | Coldwater Library Branch, 10 E Chicago St, Coldwater, MI, 49036, United States
The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra presents the Instrument Zoo! Come learn about the different woodwind and percussion instruments the KSO uses and experience how they work up close. You will get hands-on experience with a variety of instruments. Maybe you’ll discover a hidden musical talent! Fun for all ages.
No registration required.

Musical Storybook | Washington Square Branch - Kalamazoo Public Library
2024-11-08 10:30 - 11:00 | Washington Square Branch, 1244 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, United States

Musical Storybook | Washington Square Branch - Kalamazoo Public Library
2024-11-08 09:30 - 10:00 | Washington Square Branch, 1244 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, United States
Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.
Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.
Registration is required.
________________
Storybook: Berlioz the Bear
Zum, zum, buzz…. zum, zum, buzz…
What’s that strange buzz coming from the double bass? Berlioz has no time to investigate, because he and his bear orchestra are due at the gala ball in the village square at eight. But Berlioz is so worried about his buzzing bass that he steers the mule and his bandwagon full of musicians into a hole in the road and gets stuck.
Time is running out, and if a rooster, a cat, a billy goat, a plow horse, and an ox can’t rescue the bandwagon, who can?
Featuring a string quartet and the music of Pachelbel’s Canon, plenty of sound effects, and a couple of surprises, Berlioz the Bear will leave you cheering and wanting more!

Musical Storybook | Oshtemo Branch - Kalamazoo Public Library
2024-11-07 10:30 - 11:00 | Oshtemo Branch – Kalamazoo Public Library, 7265 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009, United States
Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.
Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.
Registration is required.
Giraffes Can’t Dance w/ String Quartet and Percussion
The story follows our giraffe hero, Gerald, as he learns to dance to his own music. Performed by a String Quartet with Percussion, this program has a variety of music that will appeal to the whole family. Props and a call to retell the story with the group are always a hit.

Musical Storybook | Alma Powell Branch - Kalamazoo Public Library
2024-10-25 10:30, 2024-10-25 09:30 - 10:00 | Northside Association for Community Development, 612 N. Park St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Our Musical Storybooks program is the perfect way to introduce audiences to live music. It presents favorite storybooks alongside great music performed by Symphony musicians.
Each storybook program includes a narrated story told with music and interactive learning led by Symphony musicians and staff.
Registration is required. Please reach out to the Alma Powell Library Branch.
Storybook: Berlioz the Bear
Zum, zum, buzz…. zum, zum, buzz…
What’s that strange buzz coming from the double bass? Berlioz has no time to investigate, because he and his bear orchestra are due at the gala ball in the village square at eight. But Berlioz is so worried about his buzzing bass that he steers the mule and his bandwagon full of musicians into a hole in the road and gets stuck.
Time is running out, and if a rooster, a cat, a billy goat, a plow horse, and an ox can’t rescue the bandwagon, who can?
Featuring a string quartet and the music of Pachelbel’s Canon, plenty of sound effects, and a couple of surprises, Berlioz the Bear will leave you cheering and wanting more!

Orchestra Rouh and Bayati Ensemble Concert
2024-10-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Stetson Chapel – Kalamazoo College, 1200 Academy St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49006, United States
Presented by Connecting Chords Music Festival, Syrian-born singer Lubana Al-Quntar performs with Kalamazoo College’s Bayati Ensemble, students from the Symphony’s after-school music education program Orchestra Rouh, and the Kalamazoo-based Bahar Ensemble.
Born in Syria, Lubana Al-Quntar began singing at an early age and had an unusual gift for singing challenging sung poetry from childhood. Today Lubana performs a wide a range of repertoire within the Arab music canon which include music from the classical, contemporary, folk, and pop genres. Her expressive voice allows her to add luster and richness to the various singing styles.
This is a ticketed event.

Musical Storybook | Oshtemo Branch - Kalamazoo Public Library
2024-10-24 10:30 - 11:30 | Oshtemo Branch – Kalamazoo Public Library, 7265 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009, United States
Storybook: Berlioz the Bear
Zum, zum, buzz…. zum, zum, buzz…
What’s that strange buzz coming from the double bass? Berlioz has no time to investigate, because he and his bear orchestra are due at the gala ball in the village square at eight. But Berlioz is so worried about his buzzing bass that he steers the mule and his bandwagon full of musicians into a hole in the road and gets stuck.
Time is running out, and if a rooster, a cat, a billy goat, a plow horse, and an ox can’t rescue the bandwagon, who can?
Featuring a string quartet and the music of Pachelbel’s Canon, plenty of sound effects, and a couple of surprises, Berlioz the Bear will leave you cheering and wanting more!
Registration required through the Oshtemo Library Branch.

KSO In Your Community | Vicksburg
2024-10-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Vicksburg Performing Arts Center, 501 E Hwy St, Vicksburg, MI, 49097, United States
Kalamazoo Symphony musicians are heading to Vicksburg!
Join us in the Vicksburg Performing Arts Center for a free performance featuring the music of Mozart, a Musical Storybook, and a performance with students from the Vicksburg Choir.
6 P.M. | Pre-concert activities
7 P.M. | Concert Starts
Click here to reserve your free tickets.

Instrument Petting Zoo | Allegan
2024-10-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Allegan District Library, 331 Hubbard St, Allegan, MI, 49010, United States
The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra presents the Instrument Zoo! Come learn about the different woodwind and percussion instruments the KSO uses and experience how they work up close. You will get hands-on experience with a variety of instruments. Maybe you’ll discover a hidden musical talent! All ages.
No registration required.

KSO at Binder Park Zoo
2024-09-15 13:00 - 15:30 | Binder Park Zoo, 7400 Division Dr, Battle Creek, MI, 49014, United States
Trumpets and tubas and horns, oh my!
The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra brings a Brass Quintet to the Binder Park Zoo for an evening of music, storytelling, and howling good fun. Alongside a soundtrack for your summer safari, you can hear Carnival of the Animals, a story where the music brings the animals to life! Bring your friends or the whole family for a roaring good time.
This partnership performance is sponsored by Zhang Financial.
Admission to the Zoo is required for entry.

Musical Storybook | The Huss Project
2024-09-14 10:00 - 10:30 | The Huss Project, 1008 8th St, Three Rivers, MI, 49093, United States
The flagship program of our KSO Brass Quintet (2 trumpets, trombone, french horn, and tuba), this is truly a carnival that celebrates the sounds, squawks, and swells of the animal kingdom! Featuring poetry by Jack Prelutsky and music by Camille Saint-Saëns, you will meet the regal lion, lumbering tortoise, elegant swan, and many more.
This event is free; tickets are not required.
