 The Block allows WMS to increase its presence in downtown Muskegon by expanding its ticket operations on the first floor and presenting smaller concerts @The Block, welcoming artists in genres from classical, to cabaret, to alternative.West Michigan Symphony has had nine conductors.They have included Palmer Quackenbush (1939-1949), Tauno Hannikainen (1949-1951), Hugo Kolberg (1951-1956), Wayne L. Dunlap (1956-1959), Lyman A. Starr, Sr. (1959-1961), John L. Wheeler (1961-1977), Philip Greenberg (1977-1981), Murray Gross (1982-2001) and current Music Director Scott Speck who has held the position since 2002.