The Suburban Symphony Orchestra in a relaxed moment at the Maltz Performing Arts Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
“There are dozens of community orchestras in Northeast Ohio … and sometimes … these community orchestras even get the chance to play at Severance Hall,” the Cleveland Orchestra’s home, writes Kelly Quinn Sands in Wednesday’s (12/1) FreshWater (Cleveland). “ ‘‘The audience response is always rapt attention and enthusiastic applause,’ … says Randolph Laycock, conductor of Parma Symphony Orchestra.… Community orchestras operate as nonprofit organizations and are a labor of love for the musicians…. Jacob Campbell … a first-year conductor at Symphony West Orchestra in Berea … is looking forward to leading and educating the ensemble while also keeping the experience fun…. ‘I have had an amazing opportunity to be able to perform many great masterworks,’ says Bonnie Svetlik, flute player and current president of Suburban Symphony Orchestra. ‘I also really appreciate the social interactions and friends I have made.’ … With concerts put on hold in 2020 due to COVID-19, community orchestras have now cautiously returned to live performances….. ‘I think it really speaks to the vibrancy of the arts community here in Cleveland that we … have all of these community orchestras,’ says the Euclid Symphony’s [music director, Matthew] Salvaggio.” Also included is Heights Chamber Orchestra, whose “delayed season will resume … in February.”
