Civic Orchestra

The Civic Orchestra is comprised of professional, amateur, and student musicians from Lorain County and neighboring communities. Over the years, under the direction of Dr. Robert Beckstrom, the orchestra has developed a reputation for encompassing a wide range of musical styles from Purcell to Lutoslawski, while celebrating the great monuments of western music culture.

2009-2010 Concert Schedule

Saturday, February 6, 2010 - 7:30pm
CIVIC ORCHESTRA CONCERT
“Short Stuff”

Emil Reznicek. Donna Diana Overture
Giovanni Gabrieli. Canzon Primi Toni from “Sacrae Symphoniae”
Charles Francois Gounod. Funeral March for a Marionette
Joaquin Rodrigo. Tres Viejos Aires de Danze
Charles-Camille Saint-Saens. Danse bacchanale
Giovanni Gabrieli. Sonata Pian e Forte
Jules Massenet. Meditation from Thais
Peter Illich Tchaikovsky. March Slav, Op. 31
Charles-Camille Saint-Seans. Carnival of the Animals Suite 1
Sergei Rachmaninov. Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
Richard Wagner. Introduction to Act III of Lohengrin

They say that some people stay away from orchestra concerts because the pieces are just too long. No excuse this time! These pieces are so short, they're shorter than the wait in line for Bobby Sherman tickets! Many of these selections have been used in movies, television, cartoons, and commercials. There will be something for nearly everyone in this family-friendly event. One selection is a wild pagan priest dance, another is the contemplation of a seductive courtesan who is thinking about becoming a nun, yet another has to do with long tall ears.

Tickets: $7/Adults; $6/LCCC Students, Staff & Seniors 65+; $5/Groups of 15 or more. Online orders include a $1 per ticket handling fee.

Saturday, May 1, 2010 - 7:30pm
CIVIC ORCHESTRA CONCERT
featuring something that is totally new

Gabriel-Urbain Faure. Dolly Suite, Op. 56 (1906)
Jeffrey Mumford. revisiting variazioni elegiaci . . .  within the fabric of caressing air, for cello & string orchestra (2009)
Paul Hindemith. Symphonic Dances (1937)

The season will conclude with a brand new piece surrounded by two sets of dances. Jeffrey Mumford, Lorain County resident and Distinguished Visiting Professor at LCCC, is known in music circles around the world as one of America’s leading living composers. We will experience his newest composition on this special occasion. Faure composed the Dolly Suite in honor of his mistress’s little daughter. While there’s no salacious story behind the Hindemith Symphonic Dances, they are wonderful pieces composed by one of the leading voices in 20th century Neo-Classicism. 

Tickets: $7/Adults; $6/LCCC Students, Staff & Seniors 65+; $5/Groups of 15 or more. Online orders include a $1 per ticket handling fee.

For more information and/or to purchase tickets, come to the Stocker Arts Center Box Office, which is open weekdays from 12 noon to 6:00pm, call (440) 366-4040 or (800) 995-5222 ext. 4040 during those hours, or click on the "Buy Stocker Event Tickets" icon above.



GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CIVIC ORCHESTRA
Robert Beckstrom, Director

A composer and conductor, Dr. Beckstrom has a BA, MA, and PhD in music Composition from UCLA, where he also studied saxophone under Grammy Award nominee, Gary Gray. He has been the Civic Orchestra's director since 1986 when he joined the music faculty at LCCC. In 1989 he was appointed Director (now with the new title of Dean) of the Division of Arts & Humanities. He composed Flute Concerto and An Archaic Symphony for Civic Orchestra performances. He also has composed a musical Bud's Chiller, which was performed at Church of the Open Door.

The Civic Orchestra is comprised of professional, amateur, and student musicians from Lorain County and neighboring communities. Over the years, the orchestra has developed a reputation for encompassing a wide range of musical styles from Purcell to Lutoslawski, while celebrating the great monuments of western music culture. College credit is available upon request or members may perform as an activity with no fees required. The Civic Orchestra rehearses on Tuesday evenings and prepares four concerts during the academic year at Stocker Arts Center.

For more information and/or to purchase tickets, come to the Stocker Arts Center Box Office, which is open weekdays from 12 noon to 6:00pm, call (440) 366-4040 or (800) 995-5222 ext. 4040 during those hours, or click on the "Buy Stocker Event Tickets" icon above.