Akron Life November 2023

CHILDREN’S CONCERT SOCIETY 75 YEARS OF MUSIC

Free bus transportation is provided for all students. For the Children’s Concert Society’s 75th anniversary, the Freedom Brass Band performed for kindergartners through third graders. Pointing at the ceiling in wonder as they walked through the Akron Civic Theatre lobby, students exclaimed, “Wow!” “Look at it in here!” “It’s fancy!” “It’s so pretty!” “The kids are fascinated by coming into the Civic,” says Renee Pinsky of the Children’s Concert Society board. “They get a real cultural experience.” One of about 2,000 students who attended that concert was Dominic Miller, a Voris Community Learning Center second grader. He said he was excited to see the concert because he has an older brother who plays percussion, and he’d like to follow in his footsteps. “I like instruments,” Miller said, adding that his favorite class is music, and he’s hoping to see another concert like this one soon. “If it wasn’t for Children’s Concert Society, no one would be enjoying this music that the awesome people up there played.” In 1954, the Children’s Concert Society introduced the In-school performers visit schools in Summit County and surrounding areas for informal, up-close performances for 200 or fewer students, followed by a question-and-answer session. After an opera group from The University of Akron performed at one Akron public school, a second grader raised her hand and shared that she was crying happy tears. Concert Series that continues to expand today. Professional instrumental, vocal and dance

The Children’s Concert Society has been bringing the joy of live musical performances to children in the Summit County area since 1948. Its all-volunteer board curates professional Ohio ensembles to enrich the musical education of preschoolers through 12th graders in public, private, parochial and home schools, offering a diverse blend of artistic experiences to thousands of students. The nonprofit offers three main programs: the Concert Hall Series of live concerts twice a year reaching kindergartners through eighth graders, the free In-school Concert Series for preschoolers through 12th graders, and the free Scholastic Composers Contest open to kindergartners through 12th graders. “My sincerest thank you to the Children’s Concert Society for empowering our children through music,” wrote Roland Pizana, a general music teacher at Voris Community Learning Center.

The Children’s Concert Society began as a part of the Women’s Educational Committee of the Akron Symphony Orchestra and was founded by Betty King and Francia Albrecht. When the orchestra temporarily shut down, the committee remained passionate about providing musical opportunities to students, so they created the Children’s Concert Society in 1948. The Concert Hall Series was the first program offered, with the inaugural performance of the Cleveland Orchestra at the Akron Armory. Some examples of past concerts featuring professional, local and well-known performers include the Akron Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, The University of Akron Steel Drum Band and Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet.” The concerts for the 2023-24 school year at the Akron Civic Theatre included the Dayton Contemporary Dance Co. performing “Black History Mosaic” for fourth through eighth graders and the Nightingale Opera Theatre presenting “Alice in Wonderland” for kindergartners through third graders.

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akronlife.com | NOVEMBER 2023