MSU Music Faculty Closes Out Island Summer Concert Series

Seated are Ava Ordman with trombone (left) and Janine Gaboury-Sly with horn. Standing are Philip Sinder with tuba, Mark Flegg with trumpet, and Richard Illman with trumpet.

Before rushing back to Lansing to teach at Michigan State University, a group of MSU faculty from the university’s music school paused long enough to perform a free concert on Mackinac Island Sunday, August 28. Historic Trinity Episcopal Church was the setting for the afternoon concert given by the Beaumont Brass Quintet, composed of faculty and graduate students at Michigan State University.

The quintet last visited the Island in 2004, giving a spring concert at Ste. Anne’s and performing at the school for Island students.

“We love being here,” said musician Ava Ordman. “We’re pleased to be invited back.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for people of the Island and visitors to hear interesting music,” said Island resident Lorna Straus.

Music played by the quintet included a wide range of songs and many familiar tunes, like George Gershwin’s “Summertime,” Scott Joplin’s “Ragtime Suite for Brass Quintet,” a medley of George M. Cohan’s music, and a fun arrangement for children of “This Old Man” by Robert Nagel.

The Beaumont Brass was formed in 1989 and is named after the Beaumont bell tower, a campus landmark. Members include Richard Illman, who has been teaching at MSU for 16 years, Janine Gaboury, who has been with the school 15 years, Ava Orman, who is beginning her fourth of year teaching at the university, Philip Sinder, a member of the faculty for 24 years, and Mark Flegg, a doctoral candidate who is beginning his second year with the quintet.

The concert was the final program in the summer music series sponsored by the Mackinac Island Community Foundation and the Mackinac Arts Council. Tess Miller, a freelance flautist, and Melissa Straus, who plays base for the Lansing Symphony, planned this year’s series of six summer concerts. Both women have family on the Island.

“I would call this summer’s concert series a success,” said Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Bloswick, who organized the series. “It was wonderful to be able to bring such a wide variety of musical performances to the residents and visitors of Mackinac Island.”

Previous concerts this year have been at Ste. Anne’s Catholic Church, Windermere Point, and the Island Library. Trinity Episcopal Church first opened its doors in 1882.