Program Notes
Program notes for our MasterWorks concerts are available for you to view online both before and after the performance. Reflect on something you heard or prepare for the next concert!
2011/2012 Season
Click on the concert below, and a PDF will open on your screen.
MasterWorks 1: A Bold Beginning - Friday, September 16, 2011
MasterWorks 2: Mozart & Bruckner - Saturday, November 5, 2011
MasterWorks 3: Beethoven's Eroica - Saturday, January 7, 2012
MasterWorks 4: Appalachian Spring - Friday, February 24, 2012
MasterWorks 5: Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 - Saturday, March 10, 2012
MasterWorks 6: Fantasies & Fairy Tales - Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Lansing Symphony Orchestra's program notes are written by John Varineau.
As Associate Conductor of the Grand Rapids Symphony, John Varineau conducts the orchestra on all of its concert series, including the Richard and Helen Devos Classical Series, Fox Motors Pops, Rising Stars concerts, Chase Picnic Pops, Family Series, Lollipops, and all educational programs. The 2009/2010 season marked his 25th anniversary with the symphony.
He is the conductor of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestras, and he conducts for the Grand Rapids Ballet. He was the Music Director of the Holland Chamber Orchestra (now the Holland Symphony Orchestra) for four years. As a free-lance conductor he has conducted the Detroit Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Duluth-Superior Orchestra, Traverse City Symphony and Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. He has made three recordings with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, featuring the music of Margaret Beuchner, and four recordings with the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Mr. Varineau grew up in the state of Wyoming and studied at Michigan State University, the University of Wyoming and Yale University. He is an active performer on the clarinet and serves in an adjunct capacity for Calvin College, Cornerstone University and Grand Rapids Community College. He and his wife Gwen live in Grand Rapids with their two children, Jade and Justin.