The Michigan State University College of Music joins the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden in celebrating its 150th anniversary this summer with a musically blended concert series. With a history of fusing music, art, science, and sustainability, the Beal Gardens and MSU College of Music present their annual series of interactive summer events in the heart of campus. 

The series explores the garden’s natural beauty along with a variety of musical styles, instrumentation, and genres. The family-friendly events take place in W.J. Beal Botanical Garden, and they are free and open to the public. The Music and the Garden series runs on select Sunday afternoons from June through September. 

Events start with drop-in family-oriented art and science activities, followed by concerts that highlight MSU College of Music chamber music and jazz. After concerts, attendees can participate in activities that will illuminate the interconnectedness of people, plants, and place.

Music and the Garden Series 2023 schedule

The garden is located on West Circle Drive (between I.M. Circle and MSU Library). All events begin with family-friendly activities at 1 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. concert that concludes with gardening topics and tips. Click here for more details and summer music events.

Spartan Jazz and the Garden’s 150th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, June 25, The Spartan Jazz Quartet, members of the MSU Jazz Studies Program will provide a concert full of exciting renditions of jazz favorites. After the concert, attendees can learn about the 150-year history of the garden.

Clap7 Saxophone Quartet
Sunday, July 16, Award-winning saxophone quartet, Clap7 (Charlotte Jansky, Jacob Feldman, Aaron Plegue, Natalia Warthen, and guest Noah Miller) performs The Best of Clap7 (music they love).

Percussion Duo
Sunday, August 13, “Floral Arrangements” explores pieces that are connected with flowers to create a collaboration of music and visualization in nature.

GeDeane Graham
Sunday, September 10, Music performances will feature vocalist GeDeane Graham and pianist Mengyao Zhao highlighting “Medusa’s Vines,” a one-act opera.

Ignis Woodwind Quintet
Sunday, September 24, Ignis is made up of students from the MSU College of Music, Josean Delgado (flute), Andrew J. Buckley (clarinet), John DeBaise (oboe), Erika Clippinger (bassoon), Becca Frederick (horn).

Audience members are invited to bring their own chairs or blankets for seating. In the event of rain, activities may take place within the Music Building across from the garden on West Circle Drive.

The Music and the Garden Series is presented by W.J. Beal Botanical Garden in partnership with musicians coordinated by the MSU College of Music. Pre- and post-performance activities are arranged by the staff of the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden. Learn more about upcoming events this summer at music.msu.edu/events.
 

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Press materials

View or download the press release (PDF)
Contact Michael Sundermann, 517-353-2043, sunderm7@msu.edu 

Photography and graphic downloads

Music and the Garden events are designed to blend art, science, and sustainability through family-friendly activities and music.

Event graphic courtesy MSU College of Music