Sun 8/1 @ 7:30PM
The Akron Symphony is back outside for yet another free concert in the park, this time Goodyear Metro Park, part of its “Outside Voices” series.
Music director Christopher Wilkins and guest conductor Kenneth Nilsestuen will co-direct the program, which features Americana tunes with an African-American flavor. You’ll hear a couple of John Phillips Sousa pieces, “Semer Fidelis” and “Cakewalk,” and “Artists Quadrille” by Johann Strauss Jr., along with pieces by several African-American composers influenced by vernacular music: a pair of Scott Joplin’s classic rags and his Treemonisha Overture; Tom Delaney’s “Jazz Me Blues,” W.C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues March” and William Grant Still’s “Serenade.” A rendition of the traditional hymn “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” and “En memoria de Chano Pozo” by jazz-influenced contemporary composer David Amram, who studied at Oberlin in the late 40s, round out the program.
Kait’s Carts food truck will be onsite for locally sourced food. While the concert is free, they’d appreciate an RSVP; if you register, you’ll be eligible for a drawing to win regular season tickets.