admin April 22nd, 2008
Akron Symphony’s “Concerts For Kids” Feature Babar, The Little Elephant
Animal-inspired music is subject of annual kids concerts running April 29-May 9
Akron, Ohio—Beginning next Tuesday, April 29, and continuing through Friday, May 9 at several sites throughout Akron, Hudson, Green, and Montrose, the Akron Symphony Orchestra will present its annual, fun-filled Concerts for Kids programs for children ages 3-6. This year’s program, Zoo Tunes, features animal-inspired music, including a performance of Francis Poulenc’s The Story of Babar, The Little Elephant.
Each Concerts for Kids performance is 45 minutes in length and introduces small children to symphonic music in an interactive, light-hearted way. Akron Symphony Assistant Conductor, Christopher James Lees and a cast of costumed characters and volunteers will bring Babar’s story to life.
Concerts for Education
The main goal of the series is to introduce children to the symphonic experience. The Akron Symphony is committed to exposing Akron-area children to music and creating music lovers for the future. Concerts for Kids introduce small children to classical music in an informal, fun and exciting manner with costumes and interactive opportunities during the concert.
To further the educational value of each performance, the symphony distributes packets that provide ideas for numerous activities for concert-goers before they arrive at the concert venue. Children are encouraged to listen to recordings and read books related to the concert selection, as well as prepare crafts that they can bring to use at the concert.
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admin November 16th, 2007
Check out this video of Maestro Wilkins and composer Stella Sung on NBC’s Good Company, discussing tomorrow night’s concert, American Reflections and Sunday afternoon’s American Quilt. Thanks to Fred Griffith and the crew at Good Company for a fun morning. Christopher and Stella also appeared on WCPN’s Around Noon with host Dee Perry. Click here to listen to that conversation.
admin November 15th, 2007
As part of Sunday’s upcoming Odyssey concert, American Quilt, we asked the Akron community to send in photos that answered two important questions: who are you and where do you come from. We asked and Akron answered; the pictures that came in were of children, parents, grandparents, teachers, and other heroes. Click here to check out our gallery of many of the photos that were sent in. And make sure to attend the concert this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. as we use music and these images to create an American Quilt of our own. Pre-concert activities start at 2:00 p.m. in the E.J. Thomas Hall lobbies.
admin November 13th, 2007
Carl Topilow to Lead Akron Symphony for Holiday Pops December 7
Concert to feature Akron Symphony Chorus, Wanda Hunt, TV’s Fred Griffith, and Santa
Akron—The Akron Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of guest conductor Carl Topilow (Cleveland Pops), will present the annual Holiday Pops concert on Friday, December 7 at E.J. Thomas Hall at 8 p.m. The concert will feature popular holiday favorites, from Rudolph and Charlie Brown, to music from Home Alone and The Polar Express. Akron-area vocalist Wanda Hunt will perform several selections with the orchestra and WKYC morning man Fred Griffith of “Good Company” will narrate The Night Before Christmas. The 130-plus members of the Akron Symphony Chorus will also perform with the orchestra throughout the concert. The concert will conclude with an audience sing-along and an appearance by Santa Claus.
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admin November 7th, 2007
Tomorrow has been declared Akron Symphony Day by our friends at 1590 WAKR. Listen all day long for special interviews and announcements starting at 6 am with the Ray Horner Morning Show. Learn more about your Akron Symphony and some of the exciting concerts and events we have planned for the rest of the season. We’ll also announce a very special offer just for those celebrating Akron Symphony Day with us on the radio. Special thanks to our sponsors: Perantinides and Nolan: Attorneys at Law and Market Street Cafe.
admin November 5th, 2007
Akron Symphony to Launch New Odyssey Series on November 18
Interactive concert to explore ‘fabric’ of American Music
Akron—Who are you? And where do you come from? The Akron Symphony wants to know as they prepare to launch Odyssey, a brand new concert series premiering Sunday, November 18th at E.J. Thomas Hall at 3 p.m. The first concert, titled American Quilt, will feature a cavalcade of collaborators, guest artists, and everyday members of the community in a concert exploring the colorful and complex “quilt” of American music. Partners include Hale Farm and Village; the Akron Art Museum; drummer, Roland Jackson; soprano, Tiffany Jackson; the Urquhart School of Scottish Dance; Old Trail School; Steven Ostrow; and jazz saxophonist, Jimmy Noel. They will all join Christopher Wilkins and the musicians of the Akron Symphony in an examination of the rich fabric of American musical and visual art— in a program appropriate for music lovers of all ages.
“An Odyssey concert takes its audience on an excursion,” says Akron Symphony Music Director, Christopher Wilkins. “A concert is no longer a bunch of pieces played in sequence—it is an experience.”
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admin October 31st, 2007
Who are you? Where do you come from? Think you can answer these questions with a few photos? If so, click here and e-mail your pictures to us at ASO Connect. We’ll select several to be displayed during the finale of our first Odyssey series concert, American Quilt on November 18, 2007 at E.J. Thomas Hall. The collage of photos will be part of an interactive multi-media climax set to the wonderful music of Daniel Bernard Roumain–Human Songs and Stories.
Please submit photos in a portrait orientation–not landscape. See sample below.
admin October 17th, 2007
Music Director, Christopher Wilkins, and Interim Assistant Conductor, Christopher Lees, sit down to discuss a little romance– Romantic music that is– during this podcast preview of the ASO’s upcoming concert, Romantic Journey (October 20 at E.J. Thomas Hall). Get to know both Christophers a little better as they share their views about the Romantic era, and the works and conductors chosen to represent it at this concert. Connect with the ASO as never before with the Akron Symphony podcast.
admin October 2nd, 2007
Music Director, Christopher Wilkins, and the Akron Symphony Orchestra will swing out loud when they present Sentimental Journey — a big band tribute to the music that shaped America from the mid 1930s to the end of World War II– at the Akron Civic Theatre on October 12. During this podcast preview, you’ll hear from Christopher Wilkins as well as the concert’s featured guest performer, Byron Stripling, as they talk about the legacy of swing, and how it remains fresh after all these years. Connect with the ASO as never before with the Akron Symphony podcast.
