By AMANDA BANKS
Director Of Public Relations, Grace College

WINONA LAKE — Partnering to bring the Winona Lake and Warsaw community the highest quality professional and amateur musical and cultural experiences, Grace College and Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts will present a series of six concerts of artistic excellence and variety this summer. Sponsored by Mrs. Mary Louise Miller, the Village at Winona Festival of Music will take place June 18 through Sept. 3 in Winona Lake. Grace College and the Wagon Wheel Center intend to make this an annual festival.

The festival endeavors to feature local and regional music talent to grow and draw friends and families to the Village at Winona. Marty Becker, Festival of Music coordinator, sought to include as many different genres of music as possible in the festival. “I wanted to bring quality, innovative entertainment to the community from jazz to classical music, and much in between,” said Becker. 

The following six events are planned for the 2016 Village at Winona Festival of Music:

Jazz Fest — Saturday, June 18, at the Winona Heritage Room, 901 Park Ave. In coordination with the Village at Winona Exotic Car Show, Jazz Fest will feature two big bands, Truth in Jazz big band and New Millennium Jazz Band.

Celebrate America Pops Concert — Saturday, July 2, outdoors in the Village at Winona. Prior to the annual fireworks, the 70 member combined Lake Area Community Band and Grace College Wind Ensemble will perform under the direction of Marty Becker. 

River Raisin Ragtime Revue — Saturday, July 9, at the Winona Heritage Room. River Raisin Ragtime Review will transport audiences to turn-of-the-century America as it performs our country’s first popular music style; ragtime.

Barbershop Festival — Sunday, Aug. 7, at the Winona Heritage Room. The festival will feature the 2015 International Barbershop Quartet Champions, Instant Classic. Also performing will be Summit City Chorus, Chain-O-Lakes Barbershop Chorus and Optimist Singers.

Band Concert — Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Village at Winona gazebo behind the shops. The Lake Area Community Band will perform marches, jazz standards and current and past pop favorites. 

Chamber Music Festival — Saturday, Sept. 3, at the Village at Winona gazebo behind the shops. In conjunction with the Village at Winona Canal Days, the Chamber Music Festival will feature small music ensembles throughout the day including Symphony of the Lakes String Quartet, Jaenicke Consort, Gentle Winds Trio and Backyard Brass Ensemble.

“We are delighted to offer this unique concert series to the community,” added Becker. “Each of this summer’s events promises to bring family-friendly entertainment and a culturally-enriching experience to our town.”

Some events will be free of charge while others will require a low-cost ticket. Details on concert times and ticket prices are forthcoming. For more information, visit the Winona Lake Festival of Music website.