Kent/Blossom Music Festival program toasts 45 years

Staff report

Kent

The Kent/Blossom Music Festival is an advanced training institute operated by Kent State University in cooperation with The Cleveland Orchestra and Blossom Music Center.

This summer’s intensive program presents public performances by distinguished artist faculty and young musicians.

The festival is under the direction of Kent State faculty members and musicians Danna Sundet (oboe) and Keith Robinson (cello).

Celebrating its 45th year, the program enjoys an international reputation that began in the hands of legendary figures such as George Szell, Aaron Copland, Louis Lane, William Steinberg, Rudolph Firkusny, Rafael Druian, Lynn Harrell, Maurice Sharp, John Mack, Robert Marcellus, Myron Bloom and many others.

The program primarily draws college-age students eager to work with the highly regarded staff made up of current members of The Cleveland Orchestra, faculty members from Kent State’s Hugh A. Glauser School of Music and other acclaimed musicians.

This year, nearly 150 audition tapes were submitted for the 43 available slots.

Students develop professional skills through personal study and classes with visiting master artists, members of The Cleveland Orchestra and Kent State faculty. Participants also attend open rehearsals and concerts of The Cleveland Orchestra.

The festival culminates with the “Side-by-Side” concert where the students perform at the Blossom Music Center with The Cleveland Orchestra.

This year, the concert takes place at 8 p.m July 28 with a 7 p.m. pre-concert featuring the Kent Blossom Chamber Orchestra. It will be led by James Feddeck.

For tickets to this concert, visit www.clevelandorchestra.com.

The public is invited to enjoy free concerts presented by the student ensembles known as the Chamber Players’ Concerts.

These concerts are in Ludwig Recital Hall in the Music and Speech Center at 1325 Theatre Drive on campus.

The Chamber Players’ concerts are free and open to the public.

Series I will be at 7:30 p.m. July 6, 2:30 p.m. July 7 and 2:30 p.m. July 8. Series II is at 7:30 p.m. July 20 and July 22 and 2:30 p.m. July 21 and July 22.

The Kent/Blossom Music Festival also highlights its faculty members by offering a professional concert series known as the Faculty Concert Series, which includes five concerts, from June 27 to July 25, and features performances by high-profile musicians from The Cleveland Orchestra and faculty from the Kent State University Hugh A. Glauser School of Music.

All faculty concerts take place in the Ludwig Recital Hall. Parking is free. General seating tickets are available online.

New this year are the five- concert and three-concert season subscriptions, which are currently available online at www.kent.edu/blossom.