November 2023

 

Dear Friend of the Griffon String Quartet,

Growing up in the Midwest, as soon as the calendar turned to October, I became gleeful with anticipation of the upcoming holidays. Of course, Halloween was fun, giving me a chance to imagine a costume, create a haunted house in my basement, and throw an annual party—the likes of which may never be seen again. December brought snow, my birthday, and, above all, Christmas: the pinnacle of many children’s gift receiving year. Though never overlooked in my family’s household, Thanksgiving has more recently become my favorite holiday.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope this letter finds you in good health and in joyful anticipation of gathering with friends and family, and full of gratitude for the many blessings for which we can be thankful. Thanksgiving is a time when we count our blessings as well as a time when we look ahead and make impactful, end-of-year decisions. Among the many things we cherish, supporting nonprofits in our community often finds a place in our lists of gestures that echo our thankfulness.

I am a grateful, professional musician who is deeply rooted in Wisconsin, particularly in our Door County and Green Bay communities, and I am writing to you as an artist, friend, and neighbor—a humble servant and passionate ambassador for arts and culture, using the power of music to transform lives and our world.

It has long been my belief that music is for everyone. With that belief, the Griffon String Quartet has made it its mission to bring music education to people of all ages. Through various initiatives, we ensure that every individual has access to live classical music regardless of age or circumstance.

One of the many significant aspects of the Griffon’s work is outreach performances to seniors, especially those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, along with their compassionate caregivers. I am often in awe when I meet many of these people at our concerts. Our music brings joy and feeling into their lives, and I am always touched at how much they move me. Music has a miraculous way of allowing moments of joy and recognition for patients, and it offers a respite and connection point for those who care for them. Over the past year, I have had the privilege to witness many of these moments, and I am so grateful to experience them.

A personal favorite of my Griffon commitments is to our young, developing students. As I practice my own sense of gratitude, I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to teach and support young students as they grow and become their own unique individuals. Last year we saw our program jump from about 10 to well over 30 private students in the area. Many of these students are from lower income families, and Midsummer’s Music enthusiastically supports them with lesson scholarships and instruments. Such scholarships manifest our involvement and amplify the difference we wish to make. I honestly cannot think of a more worthwhile way to spend my life.

Thanks to our dedicated community partners, the Griffon String Quartet proudly delivers upwards of 100 community-embedded performances each year. These performances are more than just concerts; they’re lasting impactful experiences.

To continue our mission – to ensure that every child can pick up an instrument regardless of their financial situation and keep music a vibrant and integral part of our community – we need your help. Donations from patrons like you help support scholarships, purchase instruments for budding musicians, and fund so many wonderful outreach programs that make our work and our lives so fulfilling.

In our efforts, we seek to fill our community spaces with music and represent the voice of young professionals who, like me, live, breathe, and thrive in our community. We are the next generation of cultural heritage, ensuring it remains alive, resonant, and relevant.

I invite you, please, to join us in this mission. Let us pledge that every community of Door County and Green Bay resonates with the power of music. Your support will not just fund a program; it will change lives, one note at a time.

Thank you for considering this appeal.

In gratitude and thanksgiving,

Roy Meyer

Violinist, Griffon String Quartet

Every gift is important—Every gift counts.

Thank you for being such a good friend to Midsummer’s Music!

November 16                    Gather with the Griffon
12:00pm                               First Presbyterian Church, Green Bay

November 17                    Griffon String Quartet Outreach
1:30pm                                 Door County Medical Center Nursing Home,
Sturgeon Bay

December 4–8                   Griffon String Quartet Pop-up Caroling
& 11–15                                Times/Locations TBD

December 7                        Griffon String Quartet Music for Food with
11:30am                               Sturgeon Bay Rotary
Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club, Sturgeon Bay

December 7                        Griffon String Quartet Music Outreach
1:00pm                                 Cherry Cover Assisted Living & Memory Care,
Sturgeon Bay

December 7                        Griffon String Quartet Music Outreach
Evening                                 Southern Door High School, Brussels

December 8                        Griffon String Quartet Outreach
12:30pm                               Sunshine Resources, Sturgeon Bay

December 14                     Griffon String Quartet Outreach
7:30am                                  Preble High School, Green Bay

December 14                     Gather with the Griffon
12:00pm                               First Presbyterian Church, Green Bay

December 15                     Griffon String Quartet Outreach
12:00pm                               Door County Library, Sturgeon Bay

December 15                     Griffon String Quartet Holiday Concert
5:00pm                                 Hope United Church of Christ, Sturgeon Bay
December 16                     Griffon String Quartet Holiday Concert
3:00pm                                 Belgian Heritage Center, Brussels

December 17                     Griffon String Quartet Holiday Concert
3:00pm                                 Donald & Carol Kress Pavilion, Egg Harbor

January 4-6                        Griffon String Quartet Winter Retreat
Door County Locations

January 11                          Gather with the Griffon
12:00pm                               First Presbyterian Church, Green Bay

January 11                          Concert
12:00pm                               Brown County Library, Main St., Green Bay

January 12                          Griffon String Quartet Outreach
12:40pm                               Aging & Disability Resource Center,
Sturgeon Bay

January 27                          Doctors in Recital
7:30pm                                 Weidner Center, Green Bay

February 8                          Gather with the Griffon
12:00pm                               First Presbyterian Church, Green Bay

February 9                          Griffon String Quartet Outreach
9:00am                                  Sunrise Elementary School, Sturgeon Bay
12:30pm                               Sawyer Elementary School, Sturgeon Bay

February 9                          Griffon String Quartet Concert
7:00pm                                 St. John’s on the Lake, Milwaukee

March 7                                Gather with the Griffon
12:00pm                               First Presbyterian Church, Green Bay