Midsummer Music Festival

Whenever I was driving around the county, I would see signs advertising concerts at various locations. The night I moved to Larson's Cottage, I unpacked quickly and hightailed it to the Universalist Unitarian Church to see what kind of culture Door County had to offer.

Umm, I was amazed. For the past 20 years, a group of professional musicians, most professors and prize winners from Illinois, offered a repertoire that was challenging and moving. The quality and musicality was definitely that of professional symphonies and I practically sat in their laps.

The group performed chamber music offerings that stimulated introspective thoughts and exterior goosebumps. The best clarinetist I have ever encountered was a 20 something who had already competed and played with organizations around the world. It was invigorating, stimulating, inspiring, engaging.

A program called French Reflections was the theme of the first night.

A program labeled Summer Evening Magic included 11 strings, 4 of which were from the same family. Dad played a cello created in 1871 by an Italian violin makers. Mom and middle school son played second violin and college junior son played cello.

The barn venue enabled the audience to feel the floor vibrate as the string ensemble displayed a powerful passage. The violin soloist made his instrument sing like a host of angels. Tears filled the house.

I don't know what the ticket fee supports, but it is definitely not enough to cover a nightly salary for a group of 11. The passion in the room, especially among the musicians, was substantial.