Concerts
Winter Waltz
Celebrate the season with an unforgettable evening of enchanting solo works with chamber orchestra and intimate ensemble pieces! From Bach’s jovial Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 for two solo violas, through Saint-Saëns Rondo Capriccioso accompanied by string orchestra, all the way to contemporary compositions written by Calvin VanZytveld, Lemon Guo, and Kennedy Dixon, this program highlights the vibrancy and versatility of chamber music both old and new. Let Plymouth Chamber Players set the tone for a bright and exciting year ahead!
Stravinsky Suite Italienne (arr. Heifetz/Piatigorsky)
stranded in wind, my body turns to old willows by Lemon Guo and Calvin VanZytveld
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-Flat Major, BWV 1051
Tchaikovsky String Quartet No. 1 (II. Andante cantabile) - arr. for string orchestra and solo cello
Saint-Saens Rondo Capriccioso in A Minor, Op. 28 - arr. for string orchestra and solo violin
goodbyes and tomorrows by Kennedy Dixon
Karisa Chiu, violin
Paul Aguilar / Paolo Dara / Kennedy Dixon, viola
Nathan Mo / Calvin VanZytveld, cello
Lemon Guo, voice
Plymouth Chamber Orchestra
Spirit of Summer
For the first time ever, Plymouth Chamber Players presented two performances of our exquisite summer program, offering audiences in Holland, Michigan, and Grand Rapids the chance to experience an evening of joyous, spirited music. Featuring a stellar lineup of musicians from the Grand Rapids Symphony, Houston Symphony, and the Galvin Cello Quartet, these illustrious artists came together to perform captivating works by Brahms, Dvořák, Poulenc, and more.
Dvorak Terzetto in C Major, Op. 74
Poulenc Banalités, FP 107: Hôtel
Brahms String Sextet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 36
Doxology for String Orchestra and Piano - Calvin Vanzytveld
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow - music by Louis Bourgeois
Rachel Aguilar / Karisa Chiu / Paolo Dara, violin
Paul Aguilar / Paolo Dara, viola
Krystian Chiu / Haddon Kay / Calvin VanZytveld, cello
Simon Frisch, piano and organ
Plymouth Chamber Orchestra
Spirit of Summer
For the first time ever, Plymouth Chamber Players presented two performances of our exquisite summer program, offering audiences in Holland, Michigan, and Grand Rapids the chance to experience an evening of joyous, spirited music. Featuring a stellar lineup of musicians from the Grand Rapids Symphony, Houston Symphony, and the Galvin Cello Quartet, these illustrious artists came together to perform captivating works by Brahms, Dvořák, Poulenc, and more.
Dvorak Terzetto in C Major, Op. 74
Poulenc Banalités, FP 107: Hôtel
Brahms String Sextet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 36
Doxology for String Orchestra and Piano - Calvin Vanzytveld
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow - music by Louis Bourgeois
Rachel Aguilar / Karisa Chiu / Paolo Dara, violin
Paul Aguilar / Paolo Dara, viola
Krystian Chiu / Haddon Kay / Calvin VanZytveld, cello
Simon Frisch, piano and organ
Plymouth Chamber Orchestra
Musical Resolutions: A New Year’s Eve Celebration
Plymouth Chamber Players welcomes 2024 with an exciting performance that immerses the Grand Rapids community in a fusion of the classical and the contemporary. This concert includes works such as a quartet premiere by Grand Rapids native Kennedy Dixon and the enchanting Ravel String Quartet.
Corelli Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8 “Christmas Concerto”
Ravel String Quartet in F Major
goodbyes and tomorrows by Kennedy Dixon
Cornelius Chiu / Karisa Chiu / Paolo Dara, violin
Paolo Dara / Kennedy Dixon, viola
Helen LaGrand / Nathan Mo, cello
Plymouth Chamber Orchestra
French Impressionism and American Jazz
Plymouth Chamber Players presents a night of jazz inspirations featuring a combination of classical and jazz quartets! Featuring the famous Debussy Quartet juxtaposed with original compositions by multi-faceted jazz musician and Grand Rapids native Josiah DeNooyer.
Debussy String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10
Stutter by Josiah DeNooyer
Sunshine / what’s really shining by Josiah DeNooyer
Spiral Bound by Josiah DeNooyer
Estrellita by Manuel Ponce (arr. Josiah DeNooyer)
Karisa Chiu / Paolo Dara / Julia LaGrand, violin
Paolo Dara / Kennedy Dixon, viola
Krystian Chiu, cello
Josiah DeNooyer, composition/drums
Kyle Burgess, saxophone
Owen Cramer, bass
Bill Cessna, piano
Passion and Pathos: Defining Romanticism in Chamber Music
Featuring international prize-winner violinist Joshua Brown, the Plymouth Chamber Players explores the full scale of human emotions expressed through romanticism. Works by Brahms, Mendelssohn, and Kreisler showcase variety and nuance within the Romantic period.
Mendelssohn String Quintet No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 87
Brahms Violin Sonata No. 3 in d minor, Op. 108
Kreisler Liebeslied & Liebesfreud
Joshua Brown / Karisa Chiu, violin
Paolo Dara / Caleb Cox, viola
Nathan Mo, cello
Inah Chiu, piano
Plymouth Chamber Orchestra
Introducing Plymouth Chamber Players
Welcome to Plymouth Chamber Players! This summer concert showcases local talent and encompasses a variety of works, from a commissioned piece by co-director Calvin VanZytveld for the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys, to the charming Shostakovich's Five Pieces for two violins. Join us for an unforgettable evening to celebrate the vibrant and dynamic arts community of Grand Rapids!
"Clothed in Green" by Calvin VanZytveld
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35 (I. Allegro moderato)
Bach Violin Sonata in A minor, BWV 1003 (I. Grave, II. Fuga)
Paganini Caprice No. 2 in B minor
Paganini Caprice No. 24 in A minor
La Gitana by Fritz Kreisler
Shostakovich Five Pieces for Two Violins and Piano
Karisa Chiu / Paolo Dara, violin
Inah Chiu, piano
Calvin VanZytveld, conductor/composer
Plymouth Chamber Choir