The Lakeland Civic Orchestra will present their final concert of the 2018-2019 season, “Defying Gravity,” Sunday, April 28, at 4 p.m. in the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center in the D-Building on the college’s campus at 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, 44094.

Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $2 for students. Tickets are available at the door, by calling the Lakeland Box Office at 440.525.7134 or online by visiting lakelandcc.edu/arts.

Dr. Matthew C. Saunders will lead the 45-member orchestra in performances of a medley from Stephen Schwartz’ musical “Wicked,” Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto, Sergei Prokofiev’s “Lieutenant Kijé” Suite, and Olivia Kieffer’s “…and then the Universe exploded.”

Featured in this concert, will be 16-year old Jason Zhang, senior division winner of the Lakeland Young Artists’ Concerto Competition, who will perform as a piano soloist. Mr. Zhang is a student of Nancy Bachus, and a winner of the Akron Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. Zhang is a 10th-grade student at Hudson High School.

Olivia Kieffer is a Wisconsin-based composer and the April 28 performance of “…and then the Universe exploded” will be the world premiere of the orchestra version of this piece, which was originally composed in 2017 for concert band. The Lakeland Civic Orchestra commissioned the orchestral version.

Ms. Kieffer is expected to attend the concert.

About the orchestra

Dr. Matthew C. Saunders, who is a professor of music and chair of the music department at Lakeland Community College, is in his fifth season as the director of the Lakeland Civic Orchestra. Saunders’ original compositions have been performed throughout the United States and internationally. The Lakeland Civic Orchestra performs four concerts annually, and rehearses Monday evenings on Lakeland’s Main Campus from August through May. Orchestra members come from many different backgrounds, from passionate amateurs to professional musicians seeking additional performance opportunities, and from ages 14 to 80. Lakeland students may earn one college credit per semester for their participation.

About the civic music programs.

Lakeland Community College provides community members the opportunity to express and advance their talents by performing in four music groups: the Lakeland Civic Band, the Lakeland Civic Chorus, the Lakeland Civic Jazz Orchestra and the Lakeland Civic Orchestra.Additionally, the college offers talented high school students Jazz Impact, an all-star high school music group.

For more information about the civic music groups and auditions, contact Jeri Lynn Pilarczyk in the Arts and Sciences Division at 440.525.7261 or email jpilarczyk5@lakelandcc.edu.

Lakeland Community College is located at the I-90 East/ Route 306 exit. Free parking is available.

By: Jeri Pilarczyk