The Lakeland Civic Band will kick off the Arts at Lakeland’s 2023-2024 season by presenting their first concert, “A Walk in the Woods,” Sunday, Oct. 15, at 4 p.m. in the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center, located on the first floor of the D-Building on Lakeland’s campus.

They will open with “Hobbits” from Johan de Meij’s “Symphony No. 1,” a classical work based onJ. R. R. Tolkien's iconic fantasy,“The Lord of the Rings.”

“The Lord of the Rings” is one of several works in the concert’s program that draws inspiration from some of America’s most beloved films, as the band will perform Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” arranged by Warren Barker.

The Lakeland Civic Band will then transport audiences to a galaxy far, far away as they perform “Rey’s Theme” from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and John Williams’ “Star Wars Saga.”

As for the program’s namesake, this concert will feature the premiere performance of Matt Bandman’s “A Walk in the Woods (A Celebration of Life).”

Performing as clarinetist soloist in Carl Maria von Weber’s Concertino is Bruce Langguth, whose longstanding career in concert bands and symphony orchestras makes him an integral member of Northeast Ohio’s vibrant music scene.

“For the first concert of the Arts at Lakeland’s 86^th season, I wanted to present something upbeat, exciting and lighthearted,” says Frank Cosenza, director of the Lakeland Civic Band, “and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate fall than with a ‘walk through the woods’ alongside beloved characters from Hollywood movie classics.”

Guests can purchase concert tickets upon arrival at the box office or online atlakelandcc.edu/arts. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and veterans and $2 for Lakeland students with ID. Online purchasers should bring their order confirmation to show at the door. Lakeland Community College is located at 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, Ohio, 44094, just off the I-90/State Route 306 exit. Free parking is available.

By: Kerry Ann Jonke, Asst Director Market & Communi