The Griffon String Quartet, an affiliate of Midsummer’s Music that works with people of all ages in northeast Wisconsin, Clara Takarabe, a violist and clinical music researcher with the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, and Third Avenue PlayWorks in Sturgeon Bay will present two remarkable Musical Museum programs for people experiencing dementia and for their caregivers.
The Musical Museum is an innovative, social-clinical program tailored specifically for individuals with mild to moderate neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, stroke, frontotemporal degeneration, and head trauma, among others. It aims to establish a safe social space to foster social engagement and to experience pleasure and intellectual stimulation. The sessions include curated music selections and short discussions.
“Third Avenue PlayWorks is thrilled to collaborate with Midsummer’s Music and the Griffon String Quartet to host Clara Takarabe for this incredible series of events,” said Jacob Janssen, the Jackie & Steve Kane Artistic Director of Third Avenue PlayWorks. “We have long intuited the healing power of music and art, and Clara’s research at Northwestern University is proving the scientific efficacy of music in the healing process. We are honored to be one of the hosts for her work here in Door County.”
A grant from the Little Eddie Big Cup Mental Health Awareness fund of the Door County Community Foundation that was recently awarded to the Griffon String Quartet for its work with seniors – particularly targeting people with Alzheimer’s and dementia – is partially funding the Musical Museum and other Griffon programs for older adults. B Double Sharp programming includes miniconcerts where attendees can gather with others who are facing the same questions and concerns about memory loss to build a community of support.
The events are free and open to the public. Reservations are not needed. The first Musical Museum is at 2:00pm, November 13, at Third Avenue PlayWorks in Sturgeon Bay; the second is at 2:00pm, November 14, at Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek. Donations will be accepted. Call (920) 854-7088 or visit midsummersmusic.com for more information.
One of the most vibrant and engaging quartets of its generation, the Griffon String Quartet was formed in the fall of 2018 as a collaboration led by Midsummer’s Music. GSQ enriches the lives of children and adults throughout northeast Wisconsin through concerts, workshops, and music education outreach. The extraordinary musicians, who have performed with orchestras and ensembles around the globe, are equally dedicated to music education and inspiring the next generation of music lovers. Each member of the Griffon String Quartet has advanced degrees and significant professional experience, both as educators and performers, and they have been recognized for “their youthful vigor, which is absolutely infectious!”
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.
For more information visit www.midsummersmusic.com.
High-resolution photos
Griffon String Quartet (credit Allison Evans): https://www.midsummersmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/griffon-string-quartet-215.jpg
Clara Takarabe (credit Todd Rosenberg): https://www.midsummersmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/clara-takarabe-credit-todd-rosenberg-cmyk.jpg
Jacob Janssen: https://www.midsummersmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/jacob-photo-for-letter-scaled.jpg
Music and Memory Program Logo: https://www.midsummersmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/nmmp-final-logo-rgb.png
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For calendar listings:
Musical Museum: Early to Moderate Stages of Dementia
Griffon String Quartet
Midsummer’s Music and Third Avenue PlayWorks in Sturgeon Bay will host Clara Takarabe, violist and clinical music researcher with the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, for a series of clinical music performances and talks throughout Door County. The Musical Museum is a dementia-informed life-enrichment program featuring musical performances by Takarabe and the Griffon String Quartet intertwined with commentary and discussion around sound, music and poetry. The program takes care to acknowledge intellectual and social needs of this stage of life.
November 13, 2:00pm: Third Avenue PlayWorks, Sturgeon Bay
November 14, 2:00pm: Peninsula School of Art, Fish Creek
Gather with the Griffon
“Gather with the Griffon” miniconcerts are designed for midday audiences. B Double Sharp programs engage the mind and spirit through music and conversation.
Program: Selections from the Griffon’s repertoire
Roy Meyer and Alex Norris, Violins, Oyrann Tsaig, Viola,Jesse Nummelin, Cello
October 21, 12:00pm: First Presbyterian Church, Green Bay
December 10, 1:00pm: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Sister Bay
Griffon String Quartet Holiday Concerts
A selection of holiday favorites and a sing-along
String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor • Ralph Vaughan-Williams
String Quartet Op. 131, No. 14 in C-sharp Minor • Ludwig van Beethoven
Enjoy light seasonal refreshments at the post-concert reception.
Roy Meyer & Alex Norris, violins, Oryann Tsaig, viola, Jesse Nummelin, cello
December 12, 6:30pm: Belgian Heritage Center, Brussels
December 13: 5:00pm: Hope United Church of Christ, Sturgeon Bay
December 14: 3:00pm: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Green Bay
December 15: 3:00pm: Kress Pavilion, Egg Harbor