Grand Rapids Musicians AFM Local 56

06/06/2026

Our 2026 Madura Scholarship winner, Bridget Parlmer, and Local 56 member Alicia Eppinga performed cello duets this morning at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids. Thank you, Grand Rapids Symphony Musicians Association, for providing live music for the Breakfast Café.

Many thanks to GRSMA cellist Alicia Eppinga and her student Bridget Parlmer for getting up early and performing at the Saturday Breakfast Cafe held by St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids!

06/05/2026

06/01/2026

June is here, and we are pleased to announce that Local 56 has been awarded nine MPTF grants for our musicians to perform free concerts in celebration of Juneteenth. Those events are listed on our website’s concert calendar. https://grandrapidsmusicians.org/events/

05/29/2026

Congratulations to AFM Local 56 trumpeter Matt Sumner!

🎙️ We are pleased to introduce a new voice to Blue Lake Public Radio listeners!

Matt Sumner has a long history with Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, going back to his camper days. He earned a degree in music at Central Michigan University and spent several years as a local host and producer for CMU Public Media. You might also see him on a local stage as a professional trumpet player!

We invite you to welcome Matt to your afternoon listening routine as he shares classical music with you every weekday from 4 to 7 p.m.

05/28/2026

For TBT, this week marks the anniversary of the Masonic Center fire. “The Memorial Day fire of May 26, 1947, caused million-dollar damage to the Amphitheater, the surrounding floor areas, and especially the roof.” AFM Local 56 currently rents office space in this historical, Neo-classical Revival building.

05/26/2026

Our Music Performance Trust Fund season started Memorial Day weekend with two free performances by The Back Door Blues Band. Thank you, Alano Club of Kent County and Alano Club South, for co-sponsoring these events. Thebackdoorbluesband

05/24/2026

Alano Club of Kent County and the Music Performance Trust Fund are co-sponsoring a free concert on Memorial Day with The Back Door Blues Band. Our website gives the details: https://grandrapidsmusicians.org/event/the-back-door-blues-band-4/ Thebackdoorbluesband

Join us at 1pm on Monday for a sober barbeque! The Backdoor Blues Band will be playing live music, and enjoy grilled hot dogs, chicken, potato salad and watermelon with us. This event is free and open to the community!

05/23/2026

The Music Performance Trust Fund and Alano Club South are co-sponsoring a free performance today by The Back Door Blues Band! Details are on our website: https://grandrapidsmusicians.org/event/the-back-door-blues-band-3/ Thebackdoorbluesband

05/19/2026

Friendly reminder that May 31st is the deadline to submit applications for the MPTF college scholarships: Music Family and Music’s Future. Scan the QR code on the flyers for details.