American Fanfare

The Akron Symphony will present Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, nicknamed Romantic, on March 2 at EJ Thomas Hall.

Bruckner’s composition, his first to receive widespread acclaim, showcases the composer’s unique style and is filled with lyrical themes, expressive contrasts, splendid orchestration, glorious climaxes, and dramatic developments. 

In the second episode of this two-part series, Music Director Christopher Wilkins and Matthew Mauro, acting principal horn, take a deeper dive into Bruckner’s music. 

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will present Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, along with Wagner’s Lohengrin Prelude, on March 2, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 pm.

Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony will present Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, nicknamed Romantic, on March 2 at EJ Thomas Hall. Bruckner’s composition, his first to receive widespread acclaim, showcases the composer’s unique style and is filled with lyrical themes, expressive contrasts, splendid orchestration, glorious climaxes, and dramatic developments. 

In the first episode of a two-part series, Music Director Christopher Wilkins and Matthew Mauro, acting principal horn, discuss Matt’s career, and Matt shares some of his experiences with the audition process for an orchestra.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will present Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, along with Wagner’s Lohengrin Prelude, on March 2, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony and the Gospel Meets Symphony Choir will celebrate 30 years of music and fellowship during Gospel Meets Symphony on February 10 at EJ Thomas Hall.

Led by Maestro Christopher Wilkins and Gospel Meets Symphony Choirmaster Jonathon Turner, the evening will highlight the community spirit that has made GMS one of Northeast Ohio’s most enduring musical traditions.

In this episode, Christopher, Jonathon and Brenda Justice,  coordinator of choral programs at the Akron Symphony, discuss what the program means to Akron, share some memories of past performances, and talk about the upcoming concert.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra and the Gospel Meets Symphony Choir will present Gospel Meets Symphony on February 10, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony will open the second half of the season with a performance featuring Mozart’s 29th Symphony on January 13 at EJ Thomas Hall. The evening will also fully embrace Akron as the Orchestra performs Jake Gunnar Walsh & Jon Sonnenberg’s Conflagration - featuring EarthQuaker devices - and Mary Lou Williams’ jazz-infused Zodiac Suite, featuring longtime friend of the ASO and Akron’s own Theron Brown and his quartet.

In this episode, Music Director Christopher Wilkins and Theron discuss the program, emphasizing the career and influence of composer Mary Lou Williams.

Theron resides in Akron, where he is a Professor of Practice at The University of Akron teaching jazz piano, artist coordinator for the I Promise School, and is immensely involved in promoting the music scene and the arts. He is the founder of the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, which takes place in Akron’s downtown historic district. Theron frequently tours and plays with his trio including Zaire Darden on drums and Jordan McBride on bass.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will present EarthQuaker & Mozart on January 13, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony will present Dvořák’s warm-hearted, ecstatic, and deeply lyrical Cello Concerto with guest soloist Khari Joyner on November 18 at EJ Thomas Hall. The performance will also include William Grant Still’s Festive Overture and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6.

Like the New World Symphony, the Cello Concerto is another work hailing from Dvořák’s American period and is therefore infused with the same sense of homesick longing that pervades the symphony. 

Khari Joyner has a following both nationally and abroad as a versatile concert cellist, chamber musician and ambassador for the arts. He has made numerous guest appearances with orchestras and ensembles across the world, and is a passionate advocate for the music of the 21st century. He is also currently an assistant professor at the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music.

Learn more about Khari’s career at kharijoyner.com.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will present Dvořák’s Cello Concerto on November 18, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra will present Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony on October 21 at EJ Thomas Hall. In this episode, Music Director Christopher Wilkins sits down with Robert Mollard, principal keyboardist, to talk about the performance in a conversation that was sponsored by The Friends of the Akron Symphony.

Join the Akron Symphony for Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony, featuring Principal Keyboardist Robert Mollard on the Rodgers digital organ, on October 21 at 7:30 p.m., at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 p.m. 

Tickets for the performance, which also includes Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s orchestral fantasy Worship and Respighi’s transcendent Church Windows, are available at akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony will open its new season with Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on September 29 at EJ Thomas Hall. The evening will also include the Akron premiere of Jerod Tate’s Clans from Lowak Shoppala’. The piece will include narration by Akron’s Dr. LaDonna Blue Eye, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, and Jerod will be the guest conductor.

In this episode, we sit down with Music Director Christopher Wilkins and composer Jerod Tate to discuss his distinguished career, his inspirations, and Lowak Shoppala', which is a work that expresses Chickasaw identity through the medium of modern classical music and theatre. 

Jerod is a dedicated American Indian classical composer and pianist who expresses his native culture in symphonic music, ballet and opera. All of his compositions have been commissioned by major North American orchestras, ensembles and organizations and his works are performed throughout the world. Learn more about Jerod's work at jerodtate.com.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra, along with the Akron Symphony Chorus, will present Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Jerod Tate’s Clans from Lowak Shoppala’ on September 29, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

The Akron Symphony will open its new season with Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on September 29 at EJ Thomas Hall. Not only will the evening be the start of a yearlong celebration of 70 years of music, but also mark the 50th anniversary of EJ Thomas Hall, which the Akron Symphony opened in October of 1973 with a performance of … Beethoven’s 9th!

In this episode, we sit down with Music Director Christopher Wilkins and Chorus Director Chris Albanese to discuss a composition that is recognized as one of the supreme masterpieces of the Western tradition, and has become an international symbol of unity and affirmation since its first performance in Vienna in 1824. It is also Beethoven’s final symphony and features one of the most famous finales in music - the Ode to Joy.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra, along with the Akron Symphony Chorus, will present Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on September 29, 7:30 pm, at EJ Thomas Hall. The Preview from the Podium begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at akronsymphony.org.

Musical excerpts are from the Akron Symphony Orchestra and Akron Symphony Chorus performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony on January 21, 2017.

As the performance of Brahms Requiem approaches, the chorus has been hard at work preparing! Go behind the scenes with host Tom Moore and Akron Symphony chorus director Chris Albanese to learn more about how the chorus is gearing up for Brahms Requiem.

Valerie Coleman’s Umoja expresses the joy of community, through a single irresistibly catchy tune. Not since Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry, Be Happy has a composer created such memorably euphoric music. Deep joy lies also at the heart of Brahms’ Requiem. It is his most personal work, composed as a response to the death of his mother. Its focus is not on the past, but on the present. The work’s majestic harmonies and soaring melodic lines are for us: they are comfort for the living.