Akron Symphony | Make Us Your Symphony

TODD RUNDGREN TO PLAY WITH SYMPHONY (ABJ)

jgreen — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:01:29 +0000

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Akron Civic Theater – BUY TICKETS ONLINE
or call the Akron Civic Theater box office at 330.253.2488

“Rundgren’s August show at the Akron Civic Theatre…should be a unique experience even for the dedicated Runt fan as the Wizard and True Star and his band (Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince, Jesse Gress, John Ferenzik and singers Mary Lou Arnold and [wifey] Michelle Rundgren) will perform with the Akron Symphony and Akron Youth Orchestra. The “Rundgren Pops” format…is a fairly new one for Rundgren as he’s only performed a few shows with the Dutch Metropole Orchestra in Amsterdam in 2011 and 2012 and a couple with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra also in 2012. But when Rundgren plays Akron, the show will feature something new as he has never performed with two orchestras on the same stage, and it’ll be his first time jamming with a youth orchestra.”

By Malcolm X Abram, Akron Beacon Journal pop music writer
Published: May 8, 2013 – 06:49 PM | Updated: May 9, 2013 – 01:25 PM

Singer-songwriter Todd Rundgren has been a very popular figure ’round these parts for decades, and around 660 fans will get an opportunity for a double shot of Runt jamming in Summit County in the ’13.

I say only 660 fans get to see Rundgren twice because Tuesday’s show at the intimate Kent Stage is (of course) already sold out and those folks will be getting a very different show than the few thousands who will pack the Akron Civic Theatre when Rundgren returns in August.

Rundgren is touring behind his new album State, which, as has often been the case with Rundgren’s lengthy catalog, is a very different album than his previous album of new studio material — the kind of angry-in-your-face, guitar-driven Arena from 2008. By contrast, State includes a bit of the expansiveness of Utopia (the eight-minute opener Imagination) and synth-heavy solo albums such as Healing. State finds Rundgren further indulging his technology fetish with an album driven by the bleeps, blorps and bloops of laptop electronica and a lyrical dash of his humor in tunes such as Ping Me, Angry Bird and the downright goofy dance-rock tune Party Liquor.

The tour just started on Tuesday in Woodstock, but local fans hoping to sway to yet another live take on Hello, It’s Me or I Saw the Light may have to let those expectations go. As his fans know, Rundgren will do what Rundgren will do when he feels like doing it (unless you can afford to pay him to do it sooner) and the opening night set list was heavy on tracks from State and other recent synth-driven albums including 2004’s Liars and 1993’s No World Order.

Rundgren’s August show at the Akron Civic Theatre, brought to us once again by RundgrenRadio.com, should be a unique experience even for the dedicated Runt fan as the Wizard and True Star and his band (Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince, Jesse Gress, John Ferenzik and singers Mary Lou Arnold and [wifey] Michelle Rundgren) will perform with the Akron Symphony and Akron Youth Orchestra.

The “Rundgren Pops” format (I just made that up, feel free to use it) is a fairly new one for Rundgren as he’s only performed a few shows with the Dutch Metropole Orchestra in Amsterdam in 2011 and 2012 and a couple with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra also in 2012. But when Rundgren plays Akron, the show will feature something new as he has never performed with two orchestras on the same stage, and it’ll be his first time jamming with a youth orchestra.

Though the arrangements will obviously be different, the set list for the Dutch Metropole shows (whose charts the other orchestras have been using) contains a few more fan favorites including Hello, It’s Me; I Saw the Light; and Can We Still Be Friends, along with a variety of album cuts from several eras that lend themselves to orchestral/big band arrangements such as Bag Lady, Another Life and a few tunes from his late ’80s/early ’90s albums 2nd Wind, the popular Nearly Human and A Capella. (I’d still like to hear him do the latter album in its entirety at the Civic).

If you’d like a sneak approximation of what you’ll see in August, there is a website featuring a crowd-sourced, multicamera video of one of the entire performances with the Metropole Orchestra at http://www.keezer.nl/trmo/. html. It’s pretty sweet.

Random acts of live music

• Arguably the hardest working man in local show bidness, Ryan Humbert, will perform in a duo with Erin Vaughn on Saturday night at the Wing Warehouse in Stow.

• Hardcore/metal fans will want to head to the basement of Akron Highland Square mainstay Annabell’s Bar & Lounge on Friday to spend an evening with veteran Cleveland hardcore band Ringworm.

The quintet, anchored by singer Human Furnace along with guitarists Matt Sorg and John Comprix (who also collaborates with Ripper Owens), drummer Danny Zink and bassist Ed Stephens, began plying its ferocious muscular trade around 1991. Ringworm released its debut album Promise in 1993 and toured for several years before grown-up stuff such as Human Furnace’s chain of successful tattoo shops forced it to take a break.

The band returned in 2001 with its third album, Birth Is Pain, and began touring the world with Hatebreed and Damnation AD.

The band’s most recent album was 2011’s Scars, featuring the band’s patented mix of scream/shouted hardcore vocals and call-and-response choruses on top of traditional trash-metal tropes such as double-kick-drum grooves and speedy chunka-chunka riffs and some cool, classic metal guitar harmonies.

I honestly can only pick up about every eighth word Human Furnace screams at me, but song titles such as Voluntary Human Extinction, Used Up, Spit Out and Hellbound should give you an idea of the lyrical subject matter, and it ain’t unicorns and puppies, folks.

The band also has a live album released in 2012 and is recording a new album to be released in the fall on well-known metal label Relapse Records. Ringworm isn’t trying to reinvent the hardcore/metal wheel, but it is kicking the current model down the heavy-metal highway with considerable force.

Also on the bill are Akronites FEDS, NRR from Toledo and Gasmask. It should be one of those loud and intense shows where you’re not sure if you’re sweating profusely or if it’s just your eardrums bleeding.

Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758. Read his blog, Sound Check Online, at www.ohio.com/blogs/sound-check, or follow him on Twitter @malcolmxabram.

FANFARE 2013 RECREATES HARLEM’S SAVOY (ABJ article)

jgreen — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:50:32 +0000

By Betty O’Neill-Roderick
Special to the Akron Beacon Journal
Published: May 12, 2013 – 11:31 PM

Photo Credit (click to view more photos): Levi Hammer Asst Conductor of the Akron Symphony and Renee Pipitone dance to the sounds of the Akron Symphony’s Big Band at the Akron Symphony fundraising Gala FanFare 2013″ Stompin’ at the Savoy on Friday evening at the Greystone Hall in Downtown Akron. (Dan Brubaker/Special to the Akron Beacon Journal)

Guests were Stompin’ at the Savoy! at Fanfare 2013, held at Greystone Hall in Akron on Friday evening.

Terri Nass Reeder chaired the event, which benefits the Akron Symphony Orchestra, the Akron Youth Orchestra and Akron Symphony Chorus. She welcomed friends Brighid Hillmuth and Kelli Rice, who drove in from Cincinnati for the event.

Interior designer Rita Amonett used vintage costumes, peacock feathers and 1920s memorabilia to transform Greystone Hall into a replica of the Savoy, a popular ballroom in Harlem during the 1920s.

The evening began with guests sipping melon martinis before taking seats in the Garden Room for an oral auction. Judson Laipply combined comedy with his duties as auctioneer. Susan Flowers had the winning bid for Maestro Magic, Conducting the Orchestra as a graduation gift for her nephew, Charlie Poe, who graduated from Miami University on Saturday.

Scott Truhan, Kimberly Wenger and their guests will enjoy a party at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, where Harriet Chapman, the Seiberlings’ great-granddaughter, will share stories about life at the historic home. Pam Davis will find her place in the sun at a beach house on Harbour Island in the Bahamas.

As the Savoy Club opened, guests enjoyed a strolling dinner catered by the Knight Center. Tom Miller carved a beef tenderloin, while Ben Thompson handled the pasta bar. Spotted in the crowd were Jason Hazen, Joann Oelschlager, Mary Ann Jackson, Cynthia Knight, Marian Calvin, Brian Fortney, Mark and Sandy Auburn, Jim Simon, Levi Hammer, Colin Baker, Amanda Wince, Bunny Lacey, Steve and Cathy Leuenberger, Melissa Johnson and Robert Kazar.

Honorary Chair Jim Pearson thanked the crowd for supporting the symphony, and the committee and staff for putting together such a great evening. He enjoyed the event with his wife, Marguerite, Guy and Renee Pipitone, Paul Jarrett and Robert and Laura Culp.

Sue Gillman said plans are already under way for the Symphony’s Tour of the Portage Lakes this summer.

Laipply wowed the crowd, demonstrating the Evolution of Dance, and then the intrepid auctioneer auctioned himself for a performance at a later date.

The Akron Symphony Big Band took the stage, providing music for dancing at the Savoy.

SPEND YOUR SUMMER NIGHTS WITH THE AKRON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

jgreen — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:19:59 +0000

Enjoy the Akron Symphony Orchestra all summer long with free outdoor concerts sponsored by The City of Akron. And be sure not to mis the Akron Symphony at Lock 3 on July 4th just before the fireworks display!

RAVEL’S MOTHER GOOSE BRINGS FAIRY TALE FAVORITES TO LIFE, MAY 1-10

jgreen — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:05:16 +0000

BUY TICKETS ONLINE or call us at 330.535.8131. Get the full schedule, audio tracks, printable extras.

MARIA SENSI SELLNER LEADS THE AKRON SYMPHONY CHORUS ON MAY 19

jgreen — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:01:39 +0000

Members of the Akron Symphony Orchestra will join the Akron Symphony Chorus for a concert featuring the Durufle Requiem. BUY TICKETS

HOW SWEET IT IS! THE MUSIC OF JAMES TAYLOR AT THE CIVIC ON 4/20.

jgreen — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:13:20 +0000

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will pay tribute to James Taylor this Saturday night! BUY TICKETS

RAVEL’S MOTHER GOOSE BRINGS FAIRY TALE FAVORITES TO LIFE, MAY 1-10

jgreen — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:07:35 +0000

BUY TICKETS ONLINE or call us at 330.535.8131.
Get the full schedule, audio tracks, printable extras.

THE MUSIC OF JAMES TAYLOR HITS THE AKRON CIVIC STAGE ON APRIL 20TH

jgreen — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:43:20 +0000

The Akron Symphony Orchestra, along with Neil Donell and the Jeans ‘n Classics Band will present The Music of James Taylor at the Akron Civic Theater on Saturday, April 20^th at 8 pm. This Pops Series concert and the final performance in the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s 2012-2013 season, will be led by conductor Levi Hammer. The program will feature a variety of hits from the 35-year career of superstar singer-songwriter, James Taylor, including You’ve Got A Friend, Sweet Baby James, Fire and Rain, How Sweet It Is and more.

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Neil Donell came to prominence for his extreme vocal versatility, gift for mimicry and four-octave vocal range. This combination has made him the voice for more than ten thousand recording sessions, in virtually every medium where music is an integral component. He has been referred to in the media as “the most recorded voice in the country.” He has lent his voice to the albums of many artists, including Anne Murray, Triumph, Rush and others. The Jeans ‘n Classics Band includes backing vocalists, Stephanie Martin and Lea Solomaa, Paul DeLong on drums, Bob McAlpine on electric guitar, Lou Pomanti on keyboards and Jay Speziale on electric bass.

Currently Assistant Conductor of the Akron Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Akron Youth Symphony, Levi Hammer is a conductor of remarkable range and versatility. This season he appeared as a symphonic and operatic conductor, concerto soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and song collaborator. He was recently appointed Associate Conductor of Central City Opera. He’s a recipient of the Ansbacher Conducting Fellowship and he served as Assistant Conductor at Rice University Opera in Houston. Hammer is also known as a “pianist of commanding technique, with a keen sense of color and texture.” He has played with the New World Symphony, Mercury Baroque and performed Aaron Copland’s complete piano music on several occasions. He will perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 at the Akron Symphony’s Opening Night next season.

Tickets for Shower the People: The Music of James Taylor are on sale now and range from $22-$52 each with discounts available for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. To order tickets, call the Akron Symphony office at 330-535-8131, order online at www.akronsymphony.org or contact the Akron Civic Theater box office at 330-253-2488 or visit www.akroncivic.com.

The Akron Symphony appreciates its sponsors, including Concert Sponsor, The University of Akron, Reception Sponsor, Wells Fargo, Media Partners 89.7FM WKSU, Akron Life and Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com, and the Ohio Arts Council, which helps fund Akron Symphony Orchestra concerts with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

About the Akron Symphony Orchestra

For more than 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.

ASO MUSICIANS TO PRESENT RITE OF SPRING AT MEDINA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

jgreen — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 15:30:26 +0000

Musicians of the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the Medina County Arts Foundation are pleased to sponsor an orchestra-only performance of Rite of Spring at 3 pm on Sunday, April 14 at the Medina Performing Arts Center. This concert will feature Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8, Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, and a surprise overture that was selected by patron vote at the Medina Holiday Pops concert in December. The overture will be revealed the night of the concert.

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“When Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring opened in Paris 100 years ago, it incited both awe and outrage. It also made musical history,” said Akron Symphony Music Director and Conductor, Christopher Wilkins. “The Akron Symphony will attempt to make musical history of its own with this special benefit concert at the Medina Performing Arts Center. We’re thrilled to be performing again in Medina and at this wonderful venue.”

Proceeds from the Rite of Spring concert will support the Greater Akron Musical Association, and enable the Akron Symphony to bring more concerts to Medina in future seasons.

Wilkins said this project came about because of a desire to create a shared community experience between performing arts organizations in northeast Ohio. “The Akron Symphony wanted to use Rite of Spring as a platform for inviting community participation, which is something we’ve done with Porgy and Bess and Titanic and some many of our educational programs and projects with the museum and theatre projects and so forth.”

The orchestra is no stranger to the Medina community. Rehearsals have taken place at the Medina Performing Arts Center throughout the 2012-2013 season and the Akron Symphony will bring Concerts for Kids to the venue for the first time on May 10^th.

“The reception we received performing at Medina Holiday Pops the past two years and the generosity of your community is truly amazing,” said Joanne Green, Director of Marketing and PR for the Akron Symphony. “We are able to bring concerts to Medina due to the support of dedicated and enthusiastic people who value the role that classical music plays in the lives of your community members – and because you have embraced us.”

Tickets for Medina Rite of Spring are on sale for $25 each through the Akron Symphony box office. All sections are priced the same. No discounts are available for this concert. To purchase tickets, call 330-535-8131 or visit www.akronsymphony.org/rite-of-spring-medina to order online.

At 8 pm on Saturday, April 13^th, the Akron Symphony and GroundWorks Dance Theater will also join forces to present a fully staged dance and orchestra production of Rite of Spring at The University of Akron’s EJ Thomas Hall. Over 100 musicians and 23 professional and student dancers from around Akron and throughout Summit County, will come together to bring Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring life in honor of the 100^th anniversary of its debut performance. Tickets are available at the Akron Symphony box office and at www.akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony will bring Concerts for Kids: Mother Goose to the Medina Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 10^th. These 45-minute interactive concerts are geared toward children ages 2-6 and feature engaging music, storytelling and narration by The Magical Theatre Company, all led by Assistant Conductor, Levi Hammer. Tickets are just $5 each. Performances are at 9:30 am and 10:45 am. Tickets are available through the Akron Symphony box office or online at www.akronsymphony.org/cfk2013.

About the Akron Symphony Orchestra

ASO AND GROUNDWORKS JOIN FORCES FOR A FULLY-STAGED PRODUCTION OF RITE OF SPRING

jgreen — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:55:37 +0000

Akron Symphony and GroundWorks Dance Theater, join forces on Saturday, April 13, 2013 to present Rite of Spring, the first full-scale production of an Akron Symphony Classics Series concert. Rite of Spring is the first true partnership between the Akron Symphony and GroundWorks Dance Theater. Over 100 musicians and 23 professional and student dancers from around Akron and throughout Summit County, will come together to bring Stravinsky’s controversial masterpiece to life in honor of the 100^th anniversary of its debut performance.

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According to David Shimotakahara, Artistic Director of GroundWorks, “Eight of the dancers will be with GroundWorks and the remaining fifteen are what we call the student ensemble. We auditioned at nine different locations in Summit County – universities, dance training programs, and public high, middle and elementary schools. So there is a wide range of training and experience levels. But that was by choice. We wanted there to be a wide range of participants.”

Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring was a tidal wave that changed history, and it still holds that kind of power. To be able to put the music together with the art form it was created to support provides a remarkably powerful experience for the audience in and of itself. But to do it with a community of professional and student dancers and to put them on-stage with the full Akron Symphony Orchestra is a special kind of challenge that requires passion, vision and a willingness to be bold.

“I’ve been excited about doing The Rite of Spring as a dance work for as long as I can remember, and to this day, I’ve still never seen the work preformed live by a dance company,” said Akron Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor, Christopher Wilkins.

Wilkins said this project came about because of a desire to create a shared community experience between two leading performing arts organizations in northeast Ohio. “The Akron Symphony wanted to take The Rite of Spring and use it as a platform for inviting community participation, which is something we’ve done with Porgy and Bess and Titanic and some many of our educational programs and projects with the museum and theatre projects and so forth,” said Wilkins. “So with strong encouragement from The Knight Foundation, we created an original production involving community without compromising artistic quality.”

Wilkins has also been a fan of Shimotakahara’s since he came to Akron. “I heard about David’s works since my first days in Akron,” said Wilkins. “We also share patrons and supporters, first among them Dave Lieberth, who serves on both boards. Dave [Lieberth] had had urged me to first find a project with David [Shimotakahara] and when I asked about The Rite of Spring project, he said, ‘absolutely.’ So I called David and asked if he would be interested in doing it, and he was.”

“I went into this project fully aware of the parameters and challenges,” said Shimotakahara. “I don’t think I would have even attempted it if Christopher [Wilkins] hadn’t suggested it. I have to thank him for forcing me to take on a challenge that I don’t think I would have even considered. I didn’t have expectations. I just figured we’d see what they can do. And the students have totally surpassed my hopes, especially in their ability to retain. We’re only rehearsing once a week because of everyone’s schedules; these kids are involved in a lot of different things. We’ve been meeting every Sunday for three hours since the beginning of February, but that only gives us about 9-10 rehearsals before we go into the theater. That’s not a lot of time. And the student ensemble is in, I think, 8 of the 14 movements. It’s not like they are just on and off. They are full participants in this production.”

“I think the audience is going to encounter something unlike anything they have encountered before, because I expect to…and I go to a lot of concerts. I see a lot of dance.” said Wilkins. “What they’re going to encounter is the music and dance being all made in full view, which is very unusual. You’ll see the whole orchestra and all the dancers. That’s exciting. I think people will come away with an experience they will always remember. And I know the dancers and orchestra will never forget it.”

“My hope is that they somehow are brought into the music in a different way; that they hear the music differently than if they just heard the orchestra playing; that in some way it will spark new connections to Stravinsky’s music for them,” said Shimotakahara. “Hopefully that will add to their appreciation and understanding and enjoyment of this masterpiece.”

Tickets for Rite of Spring are on sale and range from $22-$52 each. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups of ten or more. To purchase tickets, call the Akron Symphony at 330-535-8131 or visit www.akronsymphony.org to order online. You can also order through the EJ Thomas Hall box office by calling 330-972-7570 or ordering online at www.ejthomashall.com. Visit the Akron Symphony website for a complete concert calendar and additional program details.

The Akron Symphony appreciates its sponsors, including concert sponsor the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, media partners 89.7FM WKSU, Akron Life and Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com, Previews from the Podium sponsor, Audio-Technia, and 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 Akron Symphony will also present a run-out performance of Rite of Spring at 3 pm on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at the Medina Performing Arts Center. This is a benefit concert sponsored by the musicians of the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the Medina County Arts Foundation. It will not feature GroundWorks dancers, but it will include a mystery overture that was selected by patrons at the Medina Holiday Pops concert in December. Tickets are $25 each and no discounts. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 330-535-8131 or online at www.akronsymphony.org/rite-of-spring-medina

About the Akron Symphony Orchestra