Every year, as the snow blankets Door County, Artistic Director Jim Berkenstock, and I work on scheduling the artists, the settings and concert events in our Midsummer’s Music Festival. Jim Berkenstock, a true master at putting the programs together, quietly researches and listens to one composition after another. I start… [Read More]
Archive for Tag: Jim Berkenstock
The Beginnings of Midsummer’s Annual Chamber Music Festival in Door County
It seems a small miracle to my friends and musical colleagues around the world that Door County enjoys such richness in the performing arts. Perhaps more miraculous is that so many have succeeded, and that new arts organizations, thankfully, spring up every few years. The legacy of community and volunteer… [Read More]
Unusual Undertakings: Tales of the Midsummer’s Music Festival’s Non-Musical Adventures in Door County
The caliber of musicianship in Door County’s Midsummer’s Music ensemble is rare, but even rarer is the friendly and fun-loving atmosphere conjured by its musicians. It is an understatement to say that the musicians see a lot of each other; the days preceding a new concert program are often… [Read More]
Join Us “In an English Country Garden” at Birch Creek on June 7
We are now counting down the days until the annual Midsummer’s Music Gala… the first performance of a collection of chamber music entitled, In an English Country Garden, an opening night concert and festivities held at the Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor on Friday, June 7 at 7 pm…. [Read More]
VIDEO: Jim Berkenstock, Media Gadfly One-ups the WTMJ Weatherman!
It Was a Dark and Stormy Night… I have heard some lawyers referred to as “practicing attorneys.” Although I guess there are some who chose not to practice, it seems a bit redundant. Nonetheless, I sometimes refer to myself as a “practicing bassoonist.” Mostly it is to remind myself, especially… [Read More]
Hungarian Composer with a Door County Connection Featured with “International Colors”
For our concerts coming up this weekend and beyond, we have chosen the title “International Colors.” The programs feature the works of composers from France, Italy and Hungary. The work by the Hungarian, Ernst von Dohnanyi, has a tangential tie to Door County. Dohnanyi was one of the triumvirate of… [Read More]
Captivating Classical Chamber Music!
Our world-class musicians are from organizations such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Pro Arte Quartet, Milwaukee Symphony and the Marlboro Music Festival, and perform with faculty from notable Midwestern universities. Over 25 chamber music concerts are presented each year at unique venues throughout Door County. Jim and Jean Berkenstock… [Read More]
Exclusive concert venue gets exclusive piano
July 17, a Fazioli will make its first appearance in Door County. No, this isn’t a high performance sports car. It is the world’s most exclusive piano, and it will be featured in the gala benefit that Midsummer’s Music is presenting at the Ellison Bay Estate (aka “The Big House”)…. [Read More]
In the Clutches of a Calliope
Well, the ice is finally gone from the bay and the leaves are trying their best to come fully out into the sunlight. It seems hard to believe that our summer concerts start in just a little over a week. That reality is even a bit more difficult for Jean and me… [Read More]
Grabbed by Gaubert
Sometimes, it seems the more you learn, the more you know how much you don’t know. I realized this in a particularly deflating way when I recently discovered something that had been right under my nose for a very long time! It is no news to most of you that I am… [Read More]
Royalty Intervenes After Viola Creates International Incident
It was a close call. I’m glad I didn’t know about it at the time. I’m not much of a Nervous Nellie, but some things can give me a little indigestion or a sleepless night. We artistic director types worry mostly about illness or accidents. A sprained arm or wrist… [Read More]
Home Cooking
I’m often asked how I go about putting together the music for our Midsummer’s Music programs. My usual method begins with a legal sized tablet. I draw a vertical line down the middle of the page and write “piano” above one column and “no piano” above the other. Since about… [Read More]