The Valentine Theatre and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra have joined forces to improve the sound quality of live musical performances at the 125-year-old theater with the installation of a new acoustical shell.
Encompassing the full stage, the shell was designed and produced by the Wenger Corporation and installed over the summer, thanks to generous financial support from The Andersons Fund Supporting Organization of the Toledo Community Foundation, OFCC (Ohio Facilities Construction Commission), Owens Corning, and numerous other individuals.
“This is an exciting addition to the Valentine,” says Zak Vassar, Toledo Symphony President and CEO. “In its previous configuration, a large percentage of our sound would get lost in the massive space above the stage. This new acoustical shell will put walls and a ceiling around the performers, which will move the sound out into the audience.”
Jori Jex, Valentine Executive Director, adds, “The Valentine reopened in 1999, and since that time, the hope to include an orchestra shell has always been of prime importance. The opportunity for the Valentine to build an even stronger partnership with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra is now possible, and we look forward to many exciting performances.”
The shell will be dedicated at private reception Tuesday. As a part of the ceremony the Toledo Symphony will perform under the baton of Music Director Alain Trudel.
The first public opportunity to see the shell and hear the improved sound quality will be at the TSO’s Mozart in the Afternoon performance 2 p.m. October 12. Tickets are available 419-246-8000 or toledosymphony.com.
■ Toledo School for the Arts welcomes local bands, artists, and vendors this weekend for its annual Flying Pig Festival. The event transforms the parking lot and loading dock into a sea of offerings. Slated bands include: Glass City Groove, Glass Town, East River Drive, Human Juicebox, Madison Ave., and many more; each band has at least one member who is a TSA staff or alum.
The gates open 3 p.m. Saturday at the Toledo School for the Arts, 333 14th St. Tickets $5-$10 are available in advance at 419-246-8732 x 225 or at the gate.
■ The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Association welcomes Scottish harpist Billy Jackson in a free workshop 1-4 pm. and in concert 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Mainstage Theatre, Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 30335 Oregon Rd., Perrysburg. Call 567-661-2787 or visit www.owens.edu.
■ Pullin’ Out the Stops is the second concert by the musicians of Glenwood Lutheran Church to raise money to underwrite their organ reconstruction. The concert features family and friends of the church including handbells, two organists, and instrumentalists. The free concert begins 3 p.m. Sunday at Glenwood Lutheran Church, 2545 Monroe St. Donations to aid the reconstruction are greatly appreciated. Call 419-255-0886.
■ The Cathedral Concert Series opens its season with the Bezonian Trio in concert. Pianist Michael Boyd, violinist Merwin Siu, and cellist Damon Coleman will perform separately and then together in a free program of Biber, Bach, and Brahms 3 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Ave. 419-244-9575 or rosarycathedral.org.
■ The College of Music Arts Faculty Artist Series presents Charles Saenz in a free trumpet recital 8 p.m. Wednesday in Moore Musical Arts Center, BGSU. 419-371-2181 or bgsu.edu/musical-arts.
■ The free Lunch at Levis Square Concert Series presents Sweet Tea Unplugged performing 11:30 a.m. Sept. 19 in Levis Square Park, 435 N. St. Clair St. Concert goers are invited to bring blankets or chairs.
■ The Super Secret Summer Sunday Showcase promoting local jazz and blues groups presents a free afternoon of music by Veluda beginning 1 p.m. Sunday at Jed’s Restaurant, 7625 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania.
■ The free Rhythm on the River Concert Series presents the Ol’ Creek Band playing bluegrass, gospel, Americana, and 1970’s tunes 4 p.m. Sunday at the Wright Pavillion on the towpath along the Maumee River in downtown Grand Rapids. Concert-goers are invited to bring blankets or chairs.
■ International piano legend Emmauel Ax opens the 2019-2020 season of the Ann Arbor Symphony. The Polish-born pianist whose parents survived the concentration camp studied at Juliard and won the first Arthur Rubenstein Piano Competition in Tel Aviv in 1974. He has since won seven Grammy awards.
Ax will perform Brahms’ Concerto no. 2 in B flat major, op. 83. Also on the program are Copland’s Applachian Spring and Kodály’s Dances of Galánta. Mark Gibson guest conducts. The event begins 8 p.m. Friday at Hill Auditorium, 925 North University Ave., Ann Arbor. For more information, call 734-994-4801 or visit the Ann Arbor Symphony’s website.
■ Way Public Library hosts Dr. Ryan Ebert, Assistant Professor of Musicology at BGSU as Musicologist-in-residence for the months of September through December, 2019. The appointment is made thanks to funding from the Way Public Library Foundation & Friends. Ebert will share his expertise in music with the community by presenting three programs and holding monthly office hours at the library. Further information on his residency and upcoming programs is available at 419-874-3135 x112.
Send news of classical music and dance events at least two weeks in advance to classics@theblade.com
First Published September 12, 2019, 1:21 a.m.
