The Arts at Lakeland will conclude their 86^th season with an exciting lineup of concerts from each of Lakeland’s civic music ensembles through Sunday, May 5. All performances will be held in the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center inside the D-Building of Lakeland’s campus.

Under the direction of Ben Richard, the Lakeland Civic Chorus will kick off the concert series Sunday, April 14, at 4 p.m. with a fitting program for the springtime, titled “Unclouded Day.” The repertoire includes a variety of peaceful classics like “Over the Rainbow,” “Blue Skies,” “Peace Prayer of Saint Francis” and Joseph M. Martin’s “The Awakening.”

Frank Cosenza will lead the Lakeland Civic Band the following Sunday, April 21, at 4 p.m. in presenting “South of the Border.” Featuring pasodobles, cha-chas, mambos and sambas, the program serves as a celebration of the rich cultural stylings of Latin American dance.

Under Dr. Matthew Saunders’ direction, the Lakeland Civic Orchestra will present “Music of the Spheres” Sunday, April 28, at 4 p.m. Opening with Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto, the orchestra will be joined by Aika Birch, winner of the Lakeland Civic Orchestra Young Artists Competition. They will follow with Missy Mazzoli’s moving “Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)” and conclude with triumphal march and ballet music from Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida.”

The following Friday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m., the Lakeland Civic Flute Choir will take centerstage in presenting “Marcello, Mozart and Mancini” under Judith Elias’ direction. The group will be assisted by Professor Emeritus Robert L. Brown on piano, and the program will be narrated by Herman Rueger.

The concert series will conclude Sunday, May 5, at 4 p.m. with performances from the Lakeland Civic Jazz Orchestra and the Lakeland Jazz Impact as they present “Blues and Ballads.” Under the direction of Demetrius Steinmetz and Ed Michaels, the groups will dazzle the audience with a selection of classic and contemporary jazz hits.

“Our civic music ensembles go above and beyond to provide quality musical programming to the Northeast Ohio community,” says Dr. Erin Fekete, dean of Lakeland’s Arts and Sciences Division. “We are excited to end this year’s successful season on a high note.”

Concert tickets can be purchased on the Arts at Lakeland’s website or at the box office upon arrival. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $6 for Lakeland alumni, senior citizens and veterans and $2 for current Lakeland students, children and teens. Online purchasers should bring their order confirmation to show at the door.

The Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center is on the first floor of the D-Building on Lakeland’s campus, located at 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, Ohio, 44094, just off the I-90/State Route 306 exit. Free parking will be available. For those heading to campus northbound from downtown Kirtland, detours are expected through October. Please expect delays and use caution when entering Lakeland’s back entrance off Garfield Road.

ABOUT THE CIVIC MUSIC ENSEMBLES

Lakeland Community College provides community members the opportunity to express and advance their talents by performing in five music groups: the Lakeland Civic Band, the Lakeland Civic Chorus, the Lakeland Civic Flute Choir, 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.

By: Charles Hegedus, Mrktg and Commun Specialist