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! Click on the concert below, and a PDF will open on your screen.
MasterWorks 1: The Gypsy Life
MasterWorks 2: Across Continents & Through the Centuries
MasterWorks 3: American Journey
MasterWorks 4: Song of Norway
MasterWorks 5: A Celtic Muse
MasterWorks 6: Viennese Passage
The Lansing Symphony Orchestra's program notes are written by John Varineau.
John Varineau is in his twenty-fourth season as the Associate Conductor of the Grand Rapids Symphony. He conducts the GRS in all of its 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.
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.