50 Years And Going Strong: The Parma Symphony Orchestra

Rick Haase.

Here is something for all of you classical music lovers out there. The Parma Symphony Orchestra will perform their final spring concert for this season at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 5, in the auditorium of Valley Forge High School, 9999 Independence Boulevard. Our local symphony orchestra, in its 50th season, will present a program including "Concerto for Bassoon" by Carl Maria Von Webber, featuring Andrew Machamer of the faculty of the prestigious Baldwin-Wallace University Conservatory of Music. Machamer is a lecturer of Music Harmony at B-W, and is an active performer and teacher in Northeast Ohio. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree, as well as a Master of Music Degree in Bassoon Performance from the University of Minnesota. He has also completed a separate Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. A dedicated teacher and pedagogue, Machamer has taught students of all ages across the country from elementary school to college level. The orchestra’s program will also include the Firebird Suite by Stravinsky, and selections from The Planets by Gustav Holst. The orchestra consists of 75 members of all walks of life from all over the Greater Cleveland area.  They meet weekly for rehearsals and present at least four concerts annually. General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.  Family passes of $20 are available for families of up to 2 adults and their children.  All tickets are available at the door beginning at 2:30 p.m. Parma Symphony Orchestra is a self-supporting community orchestra.  More  information can be found on Facebook, on the orchestra website -- www.parmasymphony.org -- or by calling Business Manager Joe Germana at 440-882-2012.

MORE MUSICAL FUN – Come to the Parma Heights branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library to hear “Brilliante Clarinets,” including instruments of every shape and size from the piccolo to the contra-bass at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16. The free event will be an evening of light jazz, as the Brilliante Clarinets play familiar tunes along with a recorded accompaniment featuring piano, bass and drums. For additional information, call 440-884-2313.

GARDEN CLUB FLOWER SALE – Members of the Parma Heights Garden Club will host their annual flower sale from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, May 11 at the Gazebo in the Greenbrier Commons complex on Pearl Road.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION – Will take place from 9 a.m. to Noon Saturday, May 11, at the Parma Heights Service Garage, also in the Greenbrier Commons complex.

ALWAYS REMEMBER – The 152nd Memorial Day service will take place beginning at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 27, on the front lawn of Parma-South Presbyterian Church, 6155 Pearl Road.

The service will be immediately followed by the city-sponsored Memorial Day parade, which will travel north to the Parma Heights Cemetery, where there will be the ceremonial playing of “Taps,” a wreath-laying and another brief service of remembrance.

LOVE TO TRAVEL AND TAKE PHOTOS?  -- If so, you won’t want to miss a special program entitled, “Travel Photography,” from 7-8 p.m. Monday, May 20, in Meeting Room A of the Parma Heights branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library.

Published photographer Judith Khaner will share the five key steps to capturing images from your travels using your personal camera.

YOUTH THEATRE CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS – Enrollment is now open for the Summer 2019 Cassidy Theatre Youth Theatre program, which runs from June 17-August 3.

Summer Youth Theatre Classes include acting, singing, and dance instruction, with all levels of ability welcome.

There will be a showcase performance on Saturday, August 3.  

For more information, call the Cassidy Theatre at 440-842-4600, or e-mail cassidyyouththeatre@gmail.com.

ON THE CASSIDY MAIN STAGE – Our local community theatre’s next production will be Mama Mia, running June 7-23, with the book by Catherine Johnson and Music and Lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.

You probably know the story, but if not, here’s a brief summary:

On a small Greek island, Sophie dreams of a perfect wedding — one which includes her father giving her away. The problem? Sophie doesn’t know who he is. Her mother Donna, the former lead singer of the 1970s pop group Donna and the Dynamos, refuses to talk about the past, so Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands. Sneaking a peek in her mother’s old diaries, she discovers three possible fathers: Sam, Bill, and Harry. She secretly invites all three to the wedding, convinced that she’ll know her father when she sees him. But when all three turn up, it may not be as clear as she thought. Told through the legendary music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! has become a worldwide sensation.

For tickets call the box office at 440-842-4600.

INFORMATION REQUSTED -- Want to see your information in this monthly column?

E-mail items to Rick Haase at rick.haase@sbcglobal.net.

Rick Haase

Rick Haase is a freelance writer from Parma Heights.

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Volume 11, Issue 5, Posted 7:36 AM, 05.01.2019