I am delighted to share a quick report on the Holiday Concerts performed by our new resident string quartet.

On December 14 at Hope Church in Sturgeon Bay, we had about 100 in attendance filling the main part of the sanctuary with spillover to the rear section. The audience was very enthusiastic, and many stayed for the lovely reception provided by Nancy Golberg, Jim Hoehn, and Arlene Johnson.

The enthusiasm continued and increased Saturday afternoon at the Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor. We had 100 chairs preset. About 20 minutes before the concert, it became clear we needed more. We brought up at least 20 extra chairs from the basement and squeezed them in the very limited remaining floor space. We then brought any kind of chair from the main floor. Exhausting that source, we pulled in the wet, high bar chairs from the balcony and wiped them off for some seating in the Kress Room’s vestibule. With all that, we still ended up with about 40 people standing. Our best estimate is that we had somewhere near 180 at the beginning of the concert. The enthusiasm was palpable! Everyone there knew they were at an event of some considerable substance and significance. Arlene Johnson and Chris Weidenbacher, along with Tea Thyme from Sister Bay, were on duty to provide a very special reception.

The quartet played their hearts out and really communicated in every way to the audience. It was obvious to everyone that this is a very special group and that the program deserves to be supported enthusiastically. With that support and good guidance, we are going to see really remarkable results.

This past weekend was just a taste of what is to come! We appreciate all the concertgoers who credit Midsummer’s Music, our partners, and the resident string quartet for the effort and ingenuity to bring this program to the fore. Kudos and thanks to everyone, especially Executive Director Allyson Fleck, Development & Events Director Donna Johnson, the quartet, and our reception hosts for a great and unforgettable weekend.

Thank you, also, to the business sponsors for the two concerts: Door County Medical Center, the Foxglove Inn, Innovative Printing, OneTouchPoint, and Tea Thyme.

Best wishes,
Jim