This Saturday: Early Romantics!

Maestro Christopher Wilkins will lead the Akron Symphony Orchestra in a concert featuring the pioneers of the Romantic era with Early Romantics Read more

Ohio.com Covers Porgy & Bess Auditions

Kerry Clawson of Ohio.com/Akron Beacon Journal was present at the Porgy and Bess auditions held earlier this month. While there, she spoke with a number of audition hopefuls as well as Maestro Christopher Wilkins.

Auditioners ranged from professional singer Pat Harris from Cleveland, who sang the Puccini aria O mio babbino caro, to Kim Shores, who said she was singing in public for the first time and has always wanted to be in a musical.

”You’re having a breakthrough today,” said Wilkins, complimenting her after she sang You Can’t Stop the Beat from the musical Hairspray.

Full casting isn’t expected to be announced for a couple of months. Sunday’s jurors, who also included Johnson and Renee Anthony Dee from the symphony, took careful notes on each singer.

”We’ve had a phenomenal day. It’s just taken my breath away. The Gospel Meets Symphony Chorus has just come out in full force,” Wilkins said.

Read the whole article here. Additional auditions will be held on October 17. Details here.

The Akron Symphony’s production of Porgy and Bess is sponsored by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and will hit the stage at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Tickets are available from $20-$40 by calling (330) 535-8131 or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Akron Symphony To Showcase Early Romantics With October 16 Concert

New ASO Assistant Conductor Levi Hammer to make debut

Akron—Maestro Christopher Wilkins will lead the Akron Symphony Orchestra in a concert featuring the pioneers of the Romantic era with Early Romantics, Saturday, October 16, 2010 at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall at 8 PM. The concert will open under the direction of newly appointed ASO Assistant Conductor Levi Hammer making his Akron debut with Hector Berlioz’s Roman Carnival overture and two excerpts from the composer’s The Damnation of Faust: Dance of the Sylphs and Hungarian March (aka Rákóczy March). Carl von Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 1 will feature ASO principal clarinetist Kristina Belisle Jones, and the concert will conclude with Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 2. Read more

Symphony Guild’s Crescendo 2010 Tiaras & Top Hats Hits Catwalk October 14

Akron—The Akron Symphony Guild will present Crescendo! Tiaras & Top Hats, dinner and style show, to benefit the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, Youth Orchestras, and Gospel Choir on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at The Hilton Akron/Fairlawn Hotel beginning at 6 PM. The evening will be a night of the latest in men’s and women’s fashion and a little jazz music. Guests will enjoy a delicious sit down dinner and opportunities to win exciting prizes. Read more

Crescendo 2010, October 14

The Akron Symphony Guild will present Crescendo! Tiaras & Top Hats, dinner and style show, to benefit the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, Youth Orchestras, and Gospel Choir on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at The Hilton Akron/Fairlawn Hotel beginning at 6 PM. The evening will be a night of the latest in men’s and women’s fashion, a little jazz music, and a fabulous raffle. Guests will enjoy a delicious sit down dinner and opportunities to win exciting prizes.

Podcast: September 2010

Maestro Christopher Wilkins joins us for the September 2010 edition of the Akron Symphony Podcast where he talks about summer highlights, his recent appointment as conductor for the upcoming Cleveland International Piano Competition, and the ASO’s Opening Night concert set for September 11, 2010

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