Akron—The Akron Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is pleased to announce that Maestro Christopher Wilkins has renewed his contract and will continue as the organization’s Music Director and Principal Conductor through 2012.

“I am thrilled to continue as Music Director of this great orchestra,” said Wilkins, who has been serving as Music Director of the Akron Symphony since March 2006. “Our musicians perform with passion and precision week after week, and provide exceptional leadership in area schools and universities, churches and synagogues, and in many other professional ensembles. The Akron Symphony Chorus and the Akron Youth Symphony, under the inspired leadership of Dr. Hugh Floyd and Christopher Lees, provide a quality and depth to our offerings that few orchestras enjoy. “

Akron City Mayor Donald Plusquellic commenting on Wilkins’ decision to remain with the ASO said, “Maestro Wilkins has brought a wonderful energy and passion not only to the Akron Symphony Orchestra but to our city. We are happy to see this renewed commitment to Akron from such a creative talent as he.”

“His generosity and articulate leadership, both on and off the podium, has been instrumental in bringing greater artistic excellence to our orchestra, propelling us in the successful direction that the Akron community deserves,” said ASO Concertmaster Alan Bodman.

The new contract comes with a 10% pay decrease for Wilkins, who accepted the cut as part of the new reality facing the symphony as well as many other arts organizations locally and throughout the country. “Serious financial adjustments have been made in the current climate, many of which directly impact the salaries of our musicians,” said Wilkins. “Their sacrifice must be answered by a renewed commitment to finding the resources necessary to keep us on an upward artistic path.”

Symphony Board President Thomas J. Clark explained some of the steps the ASO is taking to adjust to the current financial environment. “Our budget has been reduced by over $400,000. Everyone from the Music Director, to the musicians, to the office operations has shared in these cuts and yet we still have a very memorable season planned for 2009-2010.”

Despite the adjustments, both Wilkins and Clark remain optimistic. “With the arrival of incoming Executive Director Phil Walz and the launching of a new strategic plan, the possibilities for near term are exciting,” Wilkins said. Clark echoed the Maestro’s hopeful outlook by commenting “I believe the Akron Symphony has done its best to provide great artistry while maintaining fiscal responsibility. I know the citizens of our community will do their part by supporting us both financially and by their attendance.”

Contact:
Jason Swank
jswank@akronsymphony.org
(330) 535-8131

AKRON SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Akron Symphony is pleased to announce the selection of Phil Walz as Executive Director to succeed Margo Snider, effective July 2009.

Mr. Walz was chosen at the conclusion of a year-long search which began last June under the direction of Greater Akron Musical Association (GAMA) Executive Vice-President Ted Good. “By December [of 2008], we had a substantial list of applicants from around the country,” said Good. “Intensely scrutinized by a diverse selection committee, Mr. Walz rose to the top of our list due to his extensive experience in fundraising and development, his demonstrated business acumen in running successful arts organizations and his status as an award-winning orchestra manager.”

Prior to his hire in Akron, Phil Walz worked as Director of Development for the Island Institute in Rockland Maine, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, and Director of Development for Plymouth State University. He has also been Executive Director of the New Hampshire Music Festival and Assistant/Acting Manager of the New Hampshire Symphony Orchestra. In 1985, Mr. Walz was awarded the Helen M. Thompson Award from the League of American Orchestras for outstanding young orchestra manager.

GAMA President Thomas Clark is looking forward to Walz’s start. “I think that Phil’s background shows that he is someone who is able to run an orchestra in today’s social and economic environment,” said Clark. “He and his wife Laura are excited about the opportunity to come to Akron and he’s ready to hit the ground running and move the orchestra forward.”

Akron Symphony Music Director and Principle Conductor Christopher Wilkins believes Walz will be “a great fit” for Akron. “He has a strong background in both the numbers and the notes. Having trained first as a concert pianist he knows music well. He will be a terrific advocate for our artists and programs,” said Maestro Wilkins. “He will also enjoy working alongside a staff and board who share his passion and his values. Most importantly, Phil has earned a reputation for tenacity in the name of building long-term institutional success.”

Phil Walz will officially meet the entire GAMA board of trustees next Wednesday (May 20) at the group’s annual meeting.

Contact:
Jason Swank
jswank@akronsymphony.org
(330) 535-8131

Steve Lippia to perform with Akron Symphony Orchestra May 16 at Civic Theatre

Akron—The Akron Symphony will wrap up its 2009-2010 season with Fanfare ‘09: Simply Sinatra featuring renowned vocalist Steve Lippia on Saturday, May 16 at the Akron Civic Theatre at 8 PM. Lippia, who regularly performs for SRO audiences in the big showrooms of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, will share the stage with the full Akron Symphony Orchestra conducted by Music Director Christopher Wilkins—a first for the ASO’s annual Fanfare fundraiser.

Steve Lippia has become one of the nation’s most sought after concert performers for his uncanny vocal resemblance to “the Entertainer of the 20th Century,” Frank Sinatra. Concert goers reportedly lined up for over two hours at a recent Lippia engagement in Atlantic City.

In addition to incredible vocal prowess, Lippia and Sinatra also share other things in common. They’re both Italian, Catholic, and have roots in New Jersey. They have also both performed under the direction of legendary band leader Vincent Falcone. Falcone was Frank Sinatra’s conductor from 1978 through 1983. He has also worked with other artists like Sammy Davis, Jr., Rosemary Clooney, and Tony Bennett. After seeing Steve Lippia perform in Florida several years ago, Falcone, impressed with how much Lippia sounded like the elder Sinatra, quickly put together a 21 piece orchestra and made Steve Lippia a Vegas headliner.

It was also through Vincent Falcone that Steve Lippia was able to get his hands on the original arrangements for many of Sinatra’s best loved songs. Having an orchestra swinging the original charts only adds to the authentic experience of seeing an artist like Steve Lippia in concert—as if he needed the help.

Tickets for Fanfare 2009: Simply Sinatra are on sale now for $25, $35, and $50. Pre-concert dinner packages are also available starting at $150. Single tickets and group packages are available by calling the Akron Symphony ticket office at (330) 535-8131 or online at akronsymphony.org.

Calendar Listing
Akron Symphony Presents Fanfare 2009
Simply Sinatra with Steve Lippia
GALA – Saturday, May 16, 2009 5 PM
Akron City Centre (Formerly the Radisson)
CONCERT – Saturday, May 16, 2009 8 PM
Akron Civic Theatre
Gala & Concert Packages: $150, $200, $500
Concert Only: $25, $35, $50
Call: (330) 535-8131 or online at AkronSymphony.org/fanfare2009

Pops Series Sponsor: The Mary and Dr. George L. Demetros Charitable Trust / Concert Sponsor: Wachovia Securities, LLC / Guest Artist Sponsor: Guy & Renee Pipitone (Honorary Co-Chairs) / Airline Sponsor: AirTran Airways / Media Partners: Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Life & Leisure Magazine & Clear Channel Outdoor / Auction Sponsor: Brouse McDowell / Patron Party: Brennan Manna and Diamond / Additional Support: City of Akron, FGM Media, Inc. & Malone Advertising.

Contact:

Jason Swank
(330) 535-8131
jswank@akronsymphony.org

Akron—The Akron Symphony’s sell-out series, Concerts For Kids returns with Symphony Soup May 5-14 at various locations throughout Akron, Barberton, Hudson, and Green. This feast of color and sound will feature a new and unique symphony setting of the Caldecott Medal-winning children’s book Stone Soup by Marcia Brown with narration by Dennis O’Connell of the Magical Theatre Company and conducted by Christopher James Lees. Concerts For Kids offers children ages 3-6 the opportunity to see and hear a full orchestra—often for the first time— in a fun and lighthearted way.

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. The packet is available for free download here.

The Akron Community Foundation continues its long-standing support of the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s Concerts For Kids as Series Sponsor. Additional funding is provided by the Ohio Arts Council and the County Of Summit Regional Arts and Cultural District. Promotional support for Concerts For Kids is donated by Western Reserve Public Media.

Tickets to all Symphony Soup performances are available now from the Akron Symphony ticket office at 17 North Broadway in Akron. All tickets are only $5 for kids of all ages, including parents and chaperones. Orders may be charged by phone by calling the Symphony office at 330-535-8131. Concerts For Kids performances sell out quickly and many performances are already near capacity. Call today!

Concerts For Kids 2009 Schedule

St. Joseph’s Family Center - Akron
May 5 at 9:30 AM & 10:45 AM

Hudson Community Center - Hudson
May 6, 7, & 8 at 9:30 AM & 10:45 AM
*note: 9:30 AM performance on May 6 is now SOLD OUT

Green YMCA - Green
May 11 at 9:30 AM & 10:45 AM

Barberton YMCA - Barberton
May 12 at 9:30 AM & 10:45 AM

Akron General Health & Wellness Center - Akron
May 13 at 9:30 AM & 10:45 AM
May 14 at 2:30 PM & 3:45 PM

$1,000 scholarship to be awarded in May

Akron—The Akron Symphony Chorus will hold auditions for the John MacDonald Vocal Competition on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church located at 263 E. Mill Street in Akron. The recipient will be awarded $1,000.00 by the Akron Symphony Chorus.

To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in a music degree program (Bachelors, Masters, or Artist Diploma) and have a permanent home address, or attend school, in the greater-Akron area, specifically in Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage, Stark, Wayne, or Medina counties. There is no age restriction.

Those who are interested must submit a CD recording of not more than 15 minutes in duration along with a non-refundable application fee of $25.00. All applications, fees, and CDs must be received by Friday, May 1, 2009 at the Akron Symphony offices (17 North Broadway, Akron, OH 44308).

Applicants selected for the final round of auditions on May 16 will be notified of their audition time in advance. Finalists are expected to appear in person wearing proper attire and must provide their own accompanist. The recipient of the scholarship may be asked to perform in the Akron Symphony Chorus spring concert as a condition for accepting the scholarship.

To download an application, click here. For more information or to receive an application by mail, please contact the Akron Symphony office at (330) 535-8131 and ask for Brenda Justice or email Brenda at BJustice@akronsymphony.org

Steve Lippia has become one of the most prominent, in-demand vocalists in the nation. He has headlined highly successful, extended engagements in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, often playing to standing room only audiences—including some who lined up for more than two hours before show time to secure a seat. Mr. Lippia regularly performs for sold-out audiences with many major orchestras throughout the United States and Canada. Phil Roura of the New York Daily News praised a recent Lippia engagement by writing: “Stop what you are doing; he is that good.”

The May 16 concert will be preceded by a dinner and combination live and silent auction at the Akron City Centre (formerly the Radisson) to benefit the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, and Youth Orchestras at 5:00 p.m. Guests will have the chance to eat like the “Chairman of the Board” as they dine on a selection of dishes chosen from Frank Sinatra’s own kitchen.

Gala attendees will also have an opportunity to bid on exclusive one of a kind dining and travel packages, including several exotic dinners such as an elegant Tuscan-themed poolside meal at the Bath home of Mark and Caroline Gronowski, a private sushi party at House of Hunan, and a progressive dinner along the Portage Lakes. Previews of the packages and items being offered are available on the Akron Symphony blog.

Tickets are on sale now from $150 for the gala and concert together and $25 for the concert only. To order tickets or for more information call the Akron Symphony Ticket Office at (330) 535-8131 or online at akronsymphony.org/fanfare2009. Concert only tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets and at Ticketmaster.com.

Calendar Listing
Akron Symphony Presents Fanfare 2009
Simply Sinatra with Steve Lippia
GALA – Saturday, May 16, 2009 5 PM
Akron City Centre (Formerly the Radisson)
CONCERT – Saturday, May 16, 2009 8 PM
Akron Civic Theatre
Gala & Concert Packages: $150, $200, $500
Concert Only: $25, $35, $50
Call: (330) 535-8131 or online at AkronSymphony.org/fanfare2009

Pops Series Sponsor: The Mary and Dr. George L. Demetros Charitable Trust / Concert Sponsor: Wachovia Securities, LLC / Guest Artist Sponsor: Guy & Renee Pipitone (Honorary Co-Chairs) / Airline Sponsor: AirTran Airways / Media Partners: Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Life & Leisure Magazine & Clear Channel Outdoor / Auction Sponsor: Brouse McDowell / Patron Party: Brennan Manna and Diamond / Additional Support: City of Akron, FGM Media, Inc. & Malone Advertising.

Contact:

Jason Swank
(330)535-8131

Final Odyssey concert to explore the history of the violin- “the instrument of the people.”

Pre-concert activities include silent auction of violins painted and decorated by area students; proceeds to benefit Akron Youth Orchestras.

Akron—The Akron Symphony’s Odyssey Series comes to a close with Fiddle Madness on Sunday, March 29 at 3 p.m. The concert will explore the history of the violin from the fiddle to the Stradivarius. Noted klezmer violinist Steven Greenman and 14-year old phenom Chad Hoopes will perform with the orchestra alongside the Western Reserve Suzuki School under director Marlene Moses. Akron Symphony Associate conductor Christopher James Lees will conduct the concert.

Fiddle Madness will be preceded by activities for kids in the E.J. Thomas Hall lobbies as well as a special silent auction of violins that have been painted and decorated by local student artists transforming them into one of a kind works of art. A preview photo gallery of the violins can be viewed here. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Akron Youth Orchestras.

Internationally recognized as one of the finest practitioners of the East European Jewish klezmer violin, Steven Greenman has been a regular guest soloist with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra performing his own arrangements of traditional East European Gypsy violin and klezmer music. Steven has produced and recorded Stempenyu’s Dream which contains his original Jewish and klezmer compositions. Greenman has also performed at the Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, Poland and at Toronto’s Ashkenaz-A Festival of New Yiddish Culture.

Chad Hoopes, winner of the first prize in the Young Artists Division of the 2008 Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition–earning him the title of “World’s Best Young Violinist,” will be making his debut with the Akron Symphony. Hoopes has been seen on national television with appearances on CBS’ Early Show and PBS’ From the Top. Locally, Chad was seen in an Emmy-winning TV commercial for the Cleveland Indians. Later this year, Chad will perform with the Cincinnati Pops for a recording project for Telarc. Click here for more about Chad.

Fiddle Madness is sponsored by Roetzel & Andress LPA. Pre-concert activities are made possible by The Davey Tree Expert Company, the Akron Canton Airport, and The Welty Family Foundation. Media partners for the Akron Symphony’s Odyssey series are Akron Family Magazine and WAKR 1590 AM.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Akron Symphony with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The University of Akron also supports the Akron Symphony and its programs.

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Concert to kick off food drive benefitting Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

Akron—On Saturday, March 14 at the University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall, guest conductor Daniel Hege will make his Akron debut leading the Akron Symphony Orchestra through a colorful program featuring Beethoven’s buoyant Symphony No. 7. Also heard will be Michael Daugherty’s Red Cape Tango—the final movement in the composer’s musical tribute to comic legend Superman and his ultimate fight to the death with the villainous Doomsday. Other works on the program include Berlioz’s Rob Roy Overture and Falla’s The Three Cornered Hat: 2nd suite.

March 14 also marks the kickoff of the Akron Symphony’s food drive. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items with them to the concert hall. Those making donations will receive a $5.00 coupon—good toward any future Akron Symphony ticket purchase. Food collected by the Akron Symphony will benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. The food drive is in conjunction with the League of American Orchestras’ national drive “Orchestras Feeding America” inspired by the true story of the upcoming film The Soloist starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr. Food will also be accepted at the Akron Symphony’s Fiddle Madness concert on Sunday, March 29. For more about the Akron Symphony’s food drive and Orchestras Feeding America, visit AkronSymphony.org

Tickets for Beethoven 7th are available now by calling the Akron Symphony ticket office at 330-535-8131 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets start at just $20. Student rush seating is available for $5 starting at 7:30 p.m. Other discounts are available including senior and groups of 10 or more.

The Akron Symphony’s Hotel Sponsor is Sheraton Suites Cuyahoga Falls. Mr. Hege’s 7:30 p.m. Preview From the Podium is sponsored by Audio Technica. Media Partners for the Akron Symphony’s Classic Series are: WKSU-FM and Akron Life and Leisure Magazine.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Akron Symphony with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The University of Akron also supports the Akron Symphony and its programs.

Calendar Listing:
Akron Symphony: Beethoven 7th
Saturday, March 14; 8:00 p.m.
The University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall
Daniel Hege, guest conductor
BERLIOZ – Overture: Rob Roy
DAUGHERTY – Red Cape Tango
FALLA – The Three Cornered Hat: 2nd suite
BEETHOVEN – Symphony No. 7
Tickets: $20, $28, $35 & $40
Call: 330-535-8131 Online: AkronSymphony.org

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