We welcome two superstars of the American musical scene – John Morris Russell, the new Cincinnati Pops Conductor, got his professional start as Assistant Conductor of the Akron Symphony, and teenage violin sensation Chad Hoopes performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.

Buy tickets or get more information about Gospel Meets Symphony.

Gospel Meets Symphony is considered Akron’s premiere collaborative concert, bringing the greater Akron community together for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and celebration under the direction of the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director and Conductor, Maestro Christopher Wilkins. Gospel Meets Symphony will also feature appearances by special guests, The LeGrair Brothers. The Gospel Meets Symphony Choir will be led by Chorus Master, Jennifer Mekel Jones.

“Gospel is all about good news. Symphony brings musical genius to life. Each can stand alone, but its pure magic to see them come together,” said Gospel Meets Symphony Chorus Master, Jennifer Mekel Jones. “This year we will tell the stories and breathe new perspective into old tradition. It’s all about a promise, and I assure you won’t be able to stay in your seat.”

Watch a video preview from Western Reserve Public Media.

Join the Akron Symphony for Gospel Meets Symphony on Saturday, February 25 and experience an outstanding performance that was enjoyed by millions of viewers nationwide on PBS in 2010 via Western Reserve Public Media. Great seats are still available, but tickets are going fast. Tickets range from $20 to $50 with discounts for seniors, students and groups upon request. Patron tickets are available for $85 each and include premium seating, valet parking, a listing in the concert program and an invitation to the post-concert reception. To order tickets, call the Akron Symphony ticket office at 330-535-8131, visit www.akronsymphony.org, or call EJ Thomas Hall at 330-972-7570.

Get a sneak peak at the Gospel Meets Symphony concert program.

The Akron Symphony appreciates our sponsors, including 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. The Gospel Meets Symphony concert is sponsored by First Merit Foundation. Media Partners include 1590AM WAKR, Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com and The WAVE 107.3FM. Additional support is provided by WNIR, The Light 95.9FM, Ohio Arts Council and The University of Akron.

About the Akron Symphony

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.

“It is fitting that our concert opens with the joyous music of Brahms, Beethoven’s acknowledged successor,” said Akron Symphony Music Director and conductor, Christopher Wilkins. “The program is framed by works of closely related composers – the greatest German composers of the Romantic and Classical eras.”

Ode to Joy features three complete works by two great composers, including Brahms Academic Festival Overture, Beethoven’s Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, and Beethoven’s famous Symphony No. 9, one of the supreme achievements of musical history and the greatest of all love songs.

“At its premiere, Beethoven’s 9th symphony was instantly recognized as an unparalleled achievement, a mountaintop, a divine feat – and it still is today,” said Maestro Wilkins. “There is only one Hamlet, one Sistine Chapel and one 9^th.”

Be inspired by the Akron Symphony’s performance of Ode to Joy. This Classics Series concert comes to EJ Thomas Hall for one night only – Saturday, February 18 at 8 pm. Great seats are still available. Tickets range from $20 to $50 with discounts for seniors, students and groups. Call the Akron Symphony ticket office at 330-535-8131, visit www.akronsymphony.org, or call EJ Thomas Hall at 330-972-7570.

The Akron Symphony appreciates our sponsors, including 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. The Concert Sponsor for Ode to Joy is the Akron Symphony Guild. WKSU-FM is the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s official Classic Series media partner. Additional media support is provided by Akron Life and Leisure and Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com

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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More about the Akron Youth Symphony’s Winter Concert.

The Akron Youth Orchestras are led by the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s Assistant Conductor, Levi Hammer. Akron Youth Symphony is the Akron Youth Orchestras’ flagship ensemble and one of Ohio’s oldest youth orchestras. It presents four concerts each year at multiple venues and provides talented young musicians with an unforgettable, professional musical experience in their formative adolescent years. The orchestra recently celebrated its 50th anniversary by traveling to New York City and performing a concert in Carnegie Hall.

Greater Akron Youth Philharmonic is a tuition-free orchestra that performs three concerts a season, including a joint concert with the Akron Youth Symphony at The University of Akron’s EJ Thomas Hall and a Side-by-Side concert with the Akron Youth Symphony. Co-sponsored by Akron Public Schools, the Greater Akron Youth Philharmonic is dedicated to building the technical and musical skills needed to become successful members of the Akron Youth Symphony.

Tickets for the Akron Youth Symphony’s Winter Concert are free of charge and available on a first come, first served basis.

Beethoven’s 9th is a supreme achievement in musical history. Every performance is a special occasion. This concert features the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and four amazing soloists.

One of Akron’s most celebrated cultural events returns to The University of Akron’s EJ Thomas Hall for its 19th annual performance!

Join the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the 200+ member Gospel Meets Symphony Choir at 7:30 pm on Saturday, February 25th for this enlightening and entertaining performance. Featuring special guests, The LeGrair Brothers.

Great seats are still available. Tickets start at $20. Call the Akron Symphony ticket office at 330-535-8131 or ORDER TICKETS ONLINE.

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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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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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“We are pleased to be able to bring Holiday Pops performances to Akron’s neighboring communities,” said Joanne Green, Director of Marketing and PR for the Akron Symphony. “We are encouraged that so many are as excited as we are to present these concerts in multiple venues.

Holiday Pops takes place at 7:30 pm on December 15, 16 and 17. It kicks off with a concert at The Chapel in Green (12/15), followed by a performance at The University of Akron’s EJ Thomas Hall (12/16) and concluding with a concert at the Medina Performing Arts Center (12/17). This is the fifth year the Akron Symphony has presented a Holiday Pops concert in Green and the first year for the Medina Holiday Pops Concert, where proceeds will benefit the Medina City Schools’ arts, music and theater booster clubs.

“Regardless of the performance you attend, you are certain to experience the rich Akron Symphony sound and leave with holiday spirit,” said Green.

There are still great seats for Holiday Pops. Tickets start at $20 for the EJ Thomas concert with discounts available for students, seniors and groups. For tickets to the EJ Thomas and Medina Holiday Pops concerts, call the Akron Symphony ticket office at 330-535-8131. Tickets for the EJ Thomas performance on December 16 are also available online at www.akronsymphony.org/holidaypops2011 or at the EJ Thomas Hall box office.

To purchase tickets for the Akron Symphony Holiday Pops concert at The Chapel in Green, call the City of Green Parks and Recreation Department at 330-896-6621. Visit www.medinaholidaypops.com or www.cityofgreen.org for more information about the Medina Holiday Pops Concert or the Holiday Pops concert in Green.

The Akron Symphony appreciates our sponsors, including 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.

About the Guest Artists

Carl Topilow is no stranger to the Akron Symphony Orchestra. He has been a guest conductor for past Akron Symphony Holiday Pops concerts. Following his long time dream of conducting his own pops orchestra, Carl founded the Cleveland Pops, which is currently in its 15^th season. He is renowned worldwide for his versatility, whether he is holding a conductor’s baton or his trademark red clarinet. He is multi-talented and equally comfortable as both a conductor and instrumentalist.

Tina D. Stump is a versatile mezzo-soprano with a repertoire that runs the gamut from opera to jazz. Last seen as Motormouth Maybelle in the Beck Center production of Hairspray, she says she is “thrilled to make her Holiday Pops debut with the Akron Symphony Orchestra.”

Leon Bibb has been delivering the news since he was a paper boy for Cleveland’s newspaper. He is currently co-anchor of Live On Five and previously a co-anchor on the weekend edition of NewsChannel 5 at 6 pm and 11 pm. He is also narrator of Your Hometown, short programs about the people and renaissance in Northeast Ohio.

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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