As Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series launches its 19th season Thursday, Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is pleased to announce Huntington Bank for the fourth consecutive year agreed to underwrite the $6,000 fine arts program.

Karen Hale, marketing specialist in Grand Rapids for Huntington Bank, and Cindy Rolback, branch manager of the Dowagiac office, joined Vickie Phillipson, DDA program director, in making the joint announcement Tuesday.

“Opening the concert series this Thursday, the DDA is pleased to present the Women’s Chorale and Chamber Choir of Dowagiac Union High School, under the direction of Jeff Robinson, which promises to be a great evening of music for all genres as it also features a tribute to Michael Jackson,” Phillipson said.

Jackson fans will enjoy such pieces as “Man in the Mirror” and “Thriller,” along with one of Jackson’s last pieces, “The Earth Song.”

Robinson said the tribute to Jackson features more than 20 soloists, along with Steve Baylock on bass guitar.

The Women’s Chorale will also present such favorites as “I Say a Little Prayer for You” and “Build Me Up Buttercup,” as the Chamber Choir performs “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Sing, Sing, Sing.”

Thursday’s season opener at Beckwith Park begins at 7:30 p.m.

In case of rain, the performance will be moved to Wood Fire Italian Trattoria across the street.

Phillipson said Huntington’s willingness to underwrite the $6,000 concert series is a wonderful blessing for our community, especially in these uncertain times, when arts funding is limited.

“While this week’s performance and next week’s presentation by the Southwestern Michigan College Brass Band are presented in-kind, costs associated with the remainder of our 2011 season total $6,000.”

“At Huntington, we’re grateful to have the opportunity to give back to our communities,” Hale said. “We invest time, talent and resources where we live and work. As we do so, together we make our communities strong.”

“An important part of any community is its arts and cultural programs,” Rolback added. “Whether through dance, instrumental music or song, Huntington strongly believes in supporting the many forms of arts and cultural programs that enhance the overall quality of life that we all enjoy. As such, we are proud to once again support the Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series.”

Dowagiac’s outdoor entertainment series is a spin-off of the original music program hosted by Historic Dowagiac Association, which was once held on the lawn outside the old City Hall.

Phillipson has raised monies for and has coordinated the Beckwith Park concert series for 15 years.

To receive a concert brochure, call the Chamber of Commerce and DDA at (269) 782-8212. The public can also access the concert schedule online at www.DowagiacChamber.com.