Lakeland Community College is proud to announce that the Lakeland Civic Orchestra will debut “Symphony in G, Doxology” created by Matthew Saunders Ph.D. this Fall. The performance will also include Michigan-based composer Olivia Kieffer’s “The Talking Beasts” and Antonio Vivaldi’s “Winter” from “The Four Seasons,” featuring 11-year-old violinist Joji Lewicki as soloist. The concert will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9 in the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center.

Saunders is also presenting two public talks on his music as well as the other works in the program.

• 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5 in Room C-1078, Saunders is leading “How Do You Write a Symphony?”, a discussion about the origins and process of creating his work. This event is free, and all are encouraged to attend.
• 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Willoughby Hills Public Library, Saunders is hosting a concert preview to discuss the music in the Nov. 9 Orchestra concert. Registration is encouraged as all attendees will receive a free ticket to the upcoming concert. For more details, please visit the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library website, we247.com.

ABOUT DR. SAUNDERS AND THE CIVIC ORCHESTRA

Saunders joined Lakeland Community College in 2012 and is a professor of music, the music and theater department chair, and conductor of the Lakeland Civic Orchestra. He began working on “Symphony in G, Doxology” in 2019, structuring it around the hymn, “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow,” an invitation to both praise and community. Completed in the Summer of 2025, Saunders’ 36-minute symphony was created specifically for the 60 musicians of Lakeland’s Civic Orchestra. The orchestra is open to both students and community members to audition, rehearsing weekly during the Fall and Spring Semesters.

Tickets for the upcoming Nov. 9 concert are $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors, veterans, and Lakeland Alumni, and $2 for students and children. Season passes are available for all three of the Orchestra’s concerts for $22. Tickets may be purchased at the Lakeland Cashier’s Office in advance, at the Lakeland Box Office on the day of the concert, or online at lakelandcc.edu/arts.

By: Jaylen Love, Marketing & Communications Specialist