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GOSPEL MEETS SYMPHONY RETURNS ON FEBRUARY 25TH!

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World Class Begins at Home to feature seven local soloists

Akron, OH – The Akron Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Christopher Wilkins, will showcase world-class, local talent in World Class Begins at Home. The fourth concert in its 2011-2012 Classics Series, World Class Begins at Home takes place at 8 pm on Saturday, January 21 at The University of Akron’s EJ Thomas Hall.

World Class Begins at Home showcases seven virtuoso soloists performing works from five centuries and three countries with a program that “swoons one moment and sizzles the next,” according to Music Director, Christopher Wilkins.

Soloists include Jody Guinn on harp, Cynthia Warren playing the English horn, Scott Johnston on trumpet, Zachary Collins playing viola, Michael DeBruyn on cello, 18-year-old Jessi Pasternak playing viola, and 16-year-old cellist Hannah Moses.

“World Class Begins at Home is dazzling showcase for the musicians of the Akron Symphony and two of our youngest stars,” said Maestro Wilkins. “It represents a juxtaposition of a wide range of instrumental showpieces.”

Concertgoers will enjoy works including Copland’s ode to New York, the darkly moody Quiet City, featuring trumpet and English horn solos. It will be followed by Debussy’s Danse sacree et dance profane and Mozart’s Symphony No. 35, “Haffner,” one of the brightest jewels of the Classical era. After intermission comes one of the greatest Baroque works, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto, with solos for a pair of violas and cellos. The concert concludes with Stravinsky’s joyful music to the ballet Pulcinella. Christopher Wilkins will conduct the World Class Begins at Home concert with Assistant conductor and the Akron Youth Orchestras’ Musical Director, Levi Hammer, making a guest appearance.

Great seats are still available for World Class Begins at Home. Call the Akron Symphony ticket office at 330-535-8131 or purchase online at www.akronsymphony.org/worldclass. Tickets range from $20-$50 with discounts available for students, seniors and groups. You can also purchase tickets through the EJ Thomas Hall box office by calling 330-573-7570.

The Akron Symphony appreciates our sponsors, including Concert Sponsor, Summa Health Systems. Additional Support is provided by the Ohio Arts Council, which helps fund Akron Symphony concerts with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. WKSU-FM is the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s official Classic Series media partner. WAKR and Akron Beacon Journal also provided promotional support for this concert.

About the Akron Symphony Orchestra

The Akron Symphony Orchestra proudly celebrates our 60^th anniversary during the 2011-2012 concert season. For 60 years, the Akron Symphony Orchestra has been a driving musical force throughout the Greater Akron area. Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, the Akron Symphony Orchestra is committed to enhancing the quality of life of our community through educational and musical excellence.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association, Inc. (GAMA). GAMA’s vision is to be embraced and sustained as a community treasure that provides a welcoming environment for all people to experience great music. This vision is realized by operating the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, and numerous special outreach and educational programs.

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Greater Akron Musical Association Headquarters to Move

Akron Symphony offices relocating to Akron’s Northside District on February 1

Akron, OH – The Greater Akron Musical Association (GAMA), which operates the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, and Gospel Meets Symphony Choir, is relocating its administrative offices to Akron’s Northside District. GAMA will officially make the move from its current offices at 17 N. Broadway to its new home at 92 N. Main Street on February 1st.

“After 25 years at the 17 N. Broadway location, the move to the Northside District for GAMA and the Akron Symphony is noteworthy,” said Executive Director, Phil Walz. “The new building at  92 N. Main Street is highly visible from Martin Luther King Boulevard (Route 59) and easily accessible with its street level entrance. We are very happy that our move strengthens a growing downtown arts and culture enclave and proud that we will continue to be a part of the Downtown Akron community.”

The new GAMA headquarters in the Northside District is the former home of TNT Exterminators, which for many years featured a large, metal bug on the building that captured the attention of downtown drivers and pedestrians alike. With the business’ recent relocation, GAMA was able to secure the building just before the new year.

“Keeping the Symphony’s offices Downtown is good news for the Arts District that has grown-up in recent years at Northside,” said Dave Lieberth, Akron’s Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff. “The Akron Symphony is an anchor for the community’s cultural assets, and will continue to have great influence on the development of a more robust arts district Downtown.”

“We’re thrilled that the Akron Symphony was able to relocate to another great location Downtown,” said Suzie Graham, President of the Downtown Akron Partnership. “The Northside has served as an independent artistic hub for years and is an integral part of our monthly Downtown Artwalk. The contribution that the Symphony and their constituency will bring to that micro-neighborhood is outstanding.”

GAMA and the Akron Symphony will remain in operation during the move. The phone number for administrative staff and the ticket office will remain the same, as will website and email addresses. GAMA is grateful to Board, staff and friends for their support during the search. To reach GAMA and the Akron Symphony, call 330-535-8131 or visit www.akronsymphony.org.

About the Akron Symphony Orchestra

The Akron Symphony Orchestra proudly celebrates our 60^th anniversary during the 2011-2012 concert season. For 60 years, the Akron Symphony Orchestra has been a driving musical force throughout the Greater Akron area. Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, the Akron Symphony Orchestra is committed to enhancing the quality of life of our community through educational and musical excellence. The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association, Inc. (GAMA). GAMA’s vision is to be embraced and sustained as a community treasure that provides a welcoming environment for all people to experience great music. This vision is realized by operating the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, and numerous special outreach and educational programs.

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World Class Begins at Home to Feature Seven Local Soloists on January 21st!

The world-class musical standard nurtured in Akron is something to be deeply proud of. With seven virtuoso soloists performing works from three centuries and five countries, this program swoons one moment and sizzles the next.