The West Shore Symphony Orchestra, based in Muskegon, Michigan, announced that it has changed its name to West Michigan Symphony. The name change is meant to reflect more clearly the orchestra’s presence as a regional ensemble. The orchestra also has strengthened its alliance with the West Shore Youth Symphony by assuming the youth orchestra’s operations; that orchestra is formally changing its name to the West Michigan Youth Symphony. Located along the state’s Lake Michigan shoreline, the West Michigan Symphony draws musicians from West Michigan as well as from Chicago, northern Indiana, and Pennsylvania. “We feel the new name and logo more fully represent our mission of bringing symphonic music to the entire region,” said Carla Hill, president and CEO for WMS and WMYS. The youth orchestra provides training to students from grade 6 through college sophomore; its approximately 70 musicians come from more than 20 area schools. The youth symphony had long been allied with the West Shore Symphony; bringing both organizations under one operational umbrella was a streamlining measure to allow for better economies of scale and expanded educational opportunities for the youth orchestra.
Posted May 19, 2009
