admin April 25th, 2008
Auditions to be held May 17 at First Methodist Church
The Akron Symphony Chorus will be holding auditions for the John MacDonald Vocal Competition on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at First United Methodist Church located at 263 E. Mill St., Akron, OH 44308. The Akron Symphony Chorus will award the recipient $1,000.
In order to be eligible all applicants must be currently enrolled in a music degree program (Bachelors, Masters, or Artist Diploma). Applicants must have permanent home address, or attend a school in the Greater Akron Area: specifically Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage, Stark, Wayne and Medina counties. Applicants are not restricted in applying by age. There is a non-refundable application fee of $15.00 required. A CD must be submitted of not more than 15 minutes in duration. All applications, fees and CD’s must be received at the Akron Symphony office by Friday, May 2, 2008. Continue Reading »
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 April 22nd, 2008
The Akron Symphony is proud to announce dates for the 2008-2009 season. The new season offers a musical medley of musical experiences, from Tchaikovsky to Mozart to Beethoven and beyond. With something for everyone, the season includes a variety of programming such as a Classical celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th Birthday; a swinging Pops performance of Frank Sinatra’s hit songs; and an out of this world musical Odyssey featuring the music and myth of the Star Wars film saga. Look here and in your mailbox for more details. In the meantime, here’s what the Akron Beacon Journal had to say about the new season.
Also, new subscribers can save up to 50% when they purchase either a Classic, Odyssey, or Pops series subscription. Call 330-535-8131 and reserve your seats today!
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admin April 17th, 2008
Saturday’s concert to feature orchestra, chorus, guest vocalists
Akron—The Akron Symphony will present Haydn’s master work, The Creation, this Saturday, April 19 at 8:00 p.m. at E.J. Thomas Hall on the campus of The University of Akron. Music Director Christopher Wilkins will lead the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, and guest vocalists Joyce Guyer (soprano), Karl Dent (tenor), and Timothy Jones (bass-baritone) through Haydn’s musical depiction of the seven days of the creation of the world as recounted in the Biblical book of Genesis. The Creation is the seventh and final Akron Symphony Classic concert of the 2007-2008 season.
Listen to a commercial for The Creation!
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admin April 16th, 2008
Shawn Klush and Imperials headline Elvis tribute concert May 17 at Civic Theatre
/>Akron, OH—The Akron Symphony will present Fanfare 2008: The Ultimate Elvis Experience on Saturday, May 17, 2008. The event will begin with a dinner and live auction at the Radisson Hotel Akron City Centre and culminate in a one night only concert celebrating the music of Elvis Presley at the Akron Civic Theatre.
Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and feature an Elvis-themed menu of fine southern cuisine. During dinner, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of exciting live auction items including several trips to see other symphony orchestras in cities around the United States. Those attending dinner will enjoy complimentary transportation to the Akron Civic Theatre for the concert.
The concert begins at 8 p.m. and will star award-winning Elvis tribute artist, Shawn Klush— winner of the BBC’s “World’s Greatest Elvis” competition and recently crowned by Elvis Presley Enterprises as the “Closest to the King.” Performing with Klush will be Elvis’ longtime backup singers, the legendary Imperials Quartet. A special post-concert dessert reception, compliments of West Side Bakery, will follow the performance.
Listen to a commerical for The Ultimate Elvis Experience!
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admin April 11th, 2008
Akron Symphony Assistant Conductor Christopher Lees was joined by “Uncle Remus” of Madcap Puppet Theatre for an appearance on WKYC’s Good Company this morning. The pair were promoting the Akron Symphony’s A Fairy Tale Fantasy concert this Sunday at E.J. Thomas Hall at 3 p.m. The collaboration between the puppets of Madcap and the ASO will bring fairy tales to life through the magic of puppetry and music. Tickets are still available. Call (330) 972-7570 or order online at Ticketmaster. Click here to watch the ASO and Madcap on Good Company.
admin April 10th, 2008
Akron Youth Orchestras Hold Auditions for 2008-2009 Season
Open to Students in Grades 6-12
AKRON—The Akron Youth Orchestras, both the Akron Youth Symphony (AYS) and the Akron Youth Philharmonic (AYP), will hold auditions for their 2008-2009 season May 2nd through 4th at the University of Akron’s Guzzetta Hall. The Akron Youth Orchestras offer talented area high school and middle school students opportunities to perform orchestral repertoire in a professional setting. AYS Music Director and Akron Symphony Orchestra Associate Conductor Christopher James Lees says of the orchestras, “We believe in supplementing our students’ musical education with meaningful high-caliber performing opportunities prepared in a focused, supportive, and energized environment.”
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admin April 9th, 2008
Akron Symphony Brings Fairy Tales To Life With Giant Puppets Of Madcap
Cincinnati-based Puppet Theatre Company joins ASO on final Odyssey of 08-09 season
Akron—The Akron Symphony’s new Odyssey series wraps up the 2008-2009 season with A Fairy Tale Fantasy on Sunday, April 13th at 3:00 p.m. at The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall. A Fairy Tale Fantasy brings the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the giant puppets of Madcap Puppet Theatre together for an enchanting program of fairy tales set to great orchestral music, led by Akron Symphony Assistant Conductor, Christopher James Lees. Works to be performed during the concert include Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte: Overture, Dvořák’s Slavonic Dance in C Major, and Copland’s Hoe Down from Rodeo, among others.
Odyssey, which made its debut this season, is a series of concerts that explore music through narration, dance, drama, and the visual arts. The series is aimed at bringing the entire family together to experience symphonic music combined with informative, engaging, and entertaining visuals.
Listen to a commerical for A Fairy Tale Fantasy!
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admin March 20th, 2008
Invitations for Fanfare 2008: The Ultimate Elvis Experience have been sent out and should be arriving in mailboxes soon. In the meantime, check out the latest on the dinner/auction and concert featuring Shawn Klush and the Imperials, Saturday May 17, 2008 at the Akron Civic Theatre. Tickets on sale now! Call 330.535.8131 or visit Tickemaster.com.
admin March 5th, 2008
Akron Symphony’s March 15 Concert Goes All Beethoven
Concert To Feature Award-Winning Violinist, Feng Ning
Akron—The Akron Symphony will present Gold Medal Beethoven on Saturday, March 15 at 8:00 p.m. at E.J. Thomas Hall on the campus of The University of Akron. Music Director Christopher Wilkins will lead the Akron Symphony through three transcendent works from the legendary composer, including the Coriolan Overture and Symphony No. 4 in B-flat. Guest violinist and 2006 Paganini Gold Medalist Feng Ning will perform with the orchestra during Violin Concerto in D. Gold Medal Beethoven is the sixth Classic concert for the ASO and the penultimate for the 2007-2008 season.
Maestro Wilkins had originally wanted Feng Ning for a concert last season, but there were some problems. Wilkins explains:
I first worked with Feng Ning in New Zealand as part of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, which he eventually won. I was so taken with his musicianship and technical fluency that shortly thereafter I invited him to perform with the Akron Symphony. This was to have been during our 2006-2007 season, but due to visa issues we were unable to secure a date. When I approached him again this season, he accepted immediately and then asked gently whether I knew that he had just won the Paganini Competition. Attached to his e-mail was a photograph of Feng playing Paganini’s Stradivarius. It will be a privilege to present him to Akron.
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