This summer the TC Phil will present a wide variety of programs designed not only for longtime concertgoers, but for children, families, visitors, students, and anyone looking to experience music in a fresh and welcoming environment.

One of the most joyful parts of the season is our series of free Summer Family Concerts at the TC Phil Center. These programs are especially designed for younger audiences and families and feature storytelling alongside short live performances of what we call “Masterworks in Miniature.” They are a wonderful introduction to classical music in an approachable, interactive format.

Among this summer’s offerings is Carnival of the Animals on June 13 at 11:00 a.m., performed by trombone and piano, and on July 25 at 11:00 a.m., a violin and piano presentation of selections from West Side Story. These concerts are intentionally informal, imaginative, and accessible — perfect for children and grandparents alike.

Summer is also one of the busiest seasons at the TC Phil Community Music School. Throughout June and July, our building is filled with students exploring music through camps, ensembles, and classes.

Our Orff Camp, running June 22–26, offers young children a hands-on introduction to rhythm, movement, singing, and percussion instruments. Separate sessions are available for ages 4–7 and ages 8–11. For many children, programs like these become their very first opportunity to create music together.

For older students and adults, Civic Summer Pops brings together community musicians of all ages for an eight-week orchestra session centered around one particularly popular theme this year: video game music. Participants will rehearse and perform some of the most recognizable music from gaming culture before culminating in a public concert at the Civic Center Stage on Monday, August 3 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Also joining that concert will be the Civic Cello Club, a four-week summer program for high school and adult cellists. One of the wonderful aspects of these programs is the way they bring together students, adults, hobbyists, and experienced musicians in a truly collaborative community environment.

Even our youngest participants have a place in the summer season. Beginning June 20, the TC Phil will offer Parent and Baby Music Classes on Saturday mornings at the TC Phil Center. Designed for babies, parents, and caregivers, the classes create an opportunity to experience music, movement, and connection together in an inviting and low-pressure setting.

Of course, summer with the TC Phil also means outdoor concerts.

The orchestra’s annual Fourth of July celebration returns to the Civic Center with a free noon concert featuring the Encore Symphonic Winds under the direction of Dr. Timothy Topolewski. Audiences can expect patriotic favorites, Sousa marches, and the kind of festive atmosphere that has become a beloved part of Traverse City’s holiday tradition.

The TC Phil’s professional summer series continues with three distinctive concerts under the tent at the Civic Center.

On Monday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m., Maestro Kevin Rhodes and the TC Phil present John Williams: Star Wars and Beyond, featuring some of the most iconic film music ever written. It has become one of the orchestra’s perennial summer favorites and is especially popular with families and visitors looking for a memorable evening together.

For audiences seeking a more intimate musical experience, acclaimed cellist Jeffrey Lastrapes will perform the Bach Cello Suites in a special on-stage concert event on July 20 at 7:00 p.m. With VIP seating available directly on stage, the performance promises an unusually close and personal encounter with some of the most profound music ever composed.

The summer season concludes on Monday, July 27 at 7:00 p.m. with Broadway in the Park, as the TC Phil Pops brings Broadway hits to the amphitheater stage with soaring vocals, brilliant brass, and plenty of theatrical energy. It is designed to be one of those quintessential summer evenings Northern Michigan does so well — music outdoors, families gathered together, and audiences leaving humming songs all the way home.

These summer concerts are made possible through the generous support of the Hershey Family Foundation, whose sponsorship helps the TC Phil continue offering accessible programming for the entire community.

One of the most exciting things about the TC Phil’s summer season is the variety of ways people can participate. Some families attend a concert together while grandchildren are visiting from out of town. Others enroll children in camps or classes for the first time. Some come for Star Wars, some for Broadway, and others simply discover us while looking for something meaningful and fun to do on a summer evening.

That spirit of discovery, accessibility, and community connection is exactly what summer at the TC Phil is all about.

More information, tickets, and class registration are available at the TC Phil website, TCPhil.org, or through the box office at (231) 947-7120.

Dr. Kedrik Merwin

Executive Director, Traverse City Philharmonic