“I walked out of my chiropractor’s office on a warm July day, and suddenly the air was filled with the sound of an orchestra performing a dramatic and beautiful piece of classical music. I’d recently lost my wife. Out of nowhere, I started to weep. I found out it was a rehearsal, so I went back for the full concert later that night, and discovered it was a Beethoven symphony. And now … I need a ticket to your next event, please.”
That was how I was introduced to a gentleman who walked up to the front desk in the Traverse City Philharmonic Center last August — already a convert, already changed, already reaching for the next moment like the one that had caught him completely off guard.
Part of my job with the TC Phil is to get people into seats, like for this Sunday’s Dvorak and Bernstein concert (also when we release the summer series).
I’m always thinking about how to reach new audiences — designing ads and posters, placing events on calendars, drafting newsletters, coordinating radio spots.
It’s all important work, and we do it thoughtfully. But here’s something I know for certain: no advertisement, no matter how clever or compelling, can replicate what happened to that man.
No campaign can compete with the simple, unexpected collision of everyday life and extraordinary music.
Because what he experienced wasn’t just an orchestra rehearsal — it was a moment. One he didn’t plan for. One that found him.
That’s the magic of outdoor summer concerts in a public park — the music spills out from beyond just the intended audience, without the four walls of a concert hall to contain those powerful notes.
At the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, the amphitheater where the TC Phil performs sits tucked into the rhythm of everyday life.
We always see brand new people at this location who have decided to attend their first TC Phil concert in the warm summer months, because every moment outdoors is sacred.
No velvet seats required. Just open air, open ears, and the chance to combine two beloved forms of beauty —world-class music, and a northern Michigan summer.
This year, the TC Phil is continuing that tradition with a summer series designed to delight both our devoted concertgoers and curious passersby alike.
Tickets will go on sale on April 12. Here’s what’s in store for The Hershey Family Foundation Summer Series, thanks to our generous sponsors!
We start with a free community concert on July 4th at noon, performed by one of our talented community ensembles, Encore Symphonic Winds.
Encore will get you in the spirit for America’s 250th birthday with patriotic favorites, American classics, and spirited marches.
Then the ticketed summer season opens on July 13 with “John Williams: Star Wars and Beyond,” conducted by Kevin Rhodes.
It’s become an annual favorite — and for good reason. From the first triumphant notes of a galaxy far, far away to some of the most iconic film scores ever written, this concert is pure cinematic splendor, and the perfect way to introduce the whole family to a live orchestra.
Don’t be surprised if some attendees arrive as Darth Vader or carry a lightsaber!
A week later, on July 20, the spotlight shifts to something intimate and magical.
In “Bach Cello Suites on Stage,” cellist Jeffrey Lastrapes brings one of the most profound bodies of music ever written into a uniquely personal setting.
Simple, timeless, and deeply human. With limited, on-stage VIP seating available just feet away from our guest artist, this is a rare chance to experience the brilliance of Bach up close.
Then, on July 27, we bring you “Broadway in the Park,” where the TC Phil Pops Orchestra and Maestro Rhodes transform the amphitheater into a stage worthy of the Great White Way. Expect big voices, bold brass, and more than a little sparkle.
It’s energy, it’s joy, and I dare you not to hum along with your favorite Broadway tunes!
And in summer, the music is only part of the experience.
Summer concerts at the Civic Center are wonderfully, delightfully relaxed.
Kids are welcome — encouraged, even — and those 12 and under attend for free. It’s the perfect introduction for young listeners who might prefer relaxing on a picnic blanket with a snack to sitting still in a concert hall (though we encourage children there, too!).
Dogs? Bring them along too. Food? Make it an event. We’ve seen everything from simple snacks to full-on picnic spreads, complete with red-checkered tablecloths, charcuterie boards, and yes — even shrimp pasta sliders. There’s no wrong way to do it.
And for those who want to sip something local while they listen, our partners at Blue Goat provide a selection of wine and beer to round out the evening. If you’re arriving on two wheels, our friends at Norte have you covered with a bike corral, making it easy to roll in and settle down for the night.
It’s casual. It’s communal. It’s a little unexpected. And that’s exactly the point.
Because somewhere out there this summer is another person like the gentleman who walked out of his chiropractor’s office.
Someone who isn’t planning to attend a concert. Someone who doesn’t know they need it yet. And maybe, like him, they’ll find themselves changed.
Summer concerts with the TC Phil are on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center (except for July 4th).
Tickets go on sale, and flyers are available at this Sunday’s 3 p.m. concert in Corson Auditorium, featuring Dvorak’s ‘New World’ symphony and Bernstein’s greatest orchestral achievement, “Symphony No. 2: The Age of Anxiety. “Don’t miss this grand season finale, bringing back piano superstar Claire Huangci!
Info and tickets for all events, including summer and the new 2026-27 season, are available at TCPhil.org.