A Note from the Maestro

It is my pleasure to usher in a new era of the Firelands Symphony Orchestra! Our goal is to bring concerts of high quality which are not only uplifting but also entertaining to our audiences.

Internationally known guitarist Jason Vieaux will kick off our season with his amazing artistry. Our December concert will be a fun filled evening of holiday favorites, featuring outstanding vocalist Susan Hesse. March brings us a delightful evening of Italian music, with two young rising stars from Oberlin Conservatory, soprano Elizabeth Zharoff and tenor Joseph Turro, filling the hall with their glorious voices. Our finale in April has teenage phenom violin virtuoso Caroline Goulding demonstrating her staggering talents.

The orchestra is poised to bring you the finest in symphonic music, and I look forward to a great inaugural season as your conductor.

Carl Topilow,
FSO Music Director and Conductor

2008-09 Season at a Glance

CONCERT I:
The Magic of the Classical Guitar

Opening Night Gala

Saturday, 13 September 2008,
8:00 p.m., Sandusky State Theatre

Sunday, 14 September 2008,
4:00 p.m., Norwalk Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center

CONCERT II:
Family Holiday Concert

Sunday, 7 December 2008, 7:00 p.m.,
Sandusky State Theatre

CONCERT III:
Now That’s Italian!

Saturday, 21 March 2009, 8:00 p.m.,
Sandusky State Theatre

CONCERT IV:
Scotland Meets Shakespeare

Saturday, 25 April 2009, 8:00 p.m.,
Norwalk Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center

Sunday, 26 April 2009, 7:30p.m.,
Sandusky State Theatre

CONCERT I:
The Magic of the Classical Guitar

Opening Night Gala
Saturday, 13 September 2008, 8:00 p.m., Sandusky State Theatre
Sunday, 14 September 2008, 4:00 p.m., Norwalk Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center

A conversation with the conductor will be held one hour prior to each concert.

Celebrate the new season with Maestro Carl Topilow’s inaugural concert!
Acclaimed classical guitarist, Jason Vieaux performs Rodrigo’s famed concerto, Concerto de Arnajuez, whose intensity and lyricism tell the story of the Spanish character. Beethoven’s Symphony #5 and Brahms Academic Festival Overture complete the program.

Sponsors, subscribers and donors are invited to join us for a dinner and private recital by Jason Vieaux at the Sandusky State Theatre before the concert at 6:00 p.m. on September 13th. Dinner ticket prices are $25, all inclusive. Seating is limited to 150 diners on a first come, first served basis. Call the Sandusky State Theatre to purchase dinner tickets.

CONCERT II:
Family Holiday Concert

Sunday, 7 December 2008, 7:00 p.m.,
Sandusky State Theatre

Experience the warmth and tradition of the season with our fun-filled family concert of holiday favorites at the Sandusky State Theatre! The program includes selections from Vivaldi, Bizet and Haydn, along with the Concert Suite from Polar Express, March and Trepak from The Nutcracker and many of your favorite carols.

Talented vocalist Susan Hesse will join the orchestra, singing beloved classics.

A reception and “Meet and Greet” with the conductor and soloist will be held in the State Room following the concert.

CONCERT III:
Now That’s Italian!

Saturday, 21 March 2009, 8:00 p.m., Sandusky State Theatre

Bid winter “arreviderci” with this epic celebration of favorite Italian operatic selections, including Verdi, Rossini, Donizetti and Puccini. It’s an exciting evening of Italian Opera you won’t want to miss!
This concert features soprano Elizabeth Zharoff and tenor Joseph Turro, from Oberlin Conservatory.

A reception and “Meet and Greet” with the conductor and soloists will be held in the State Room following the concerts.

CONCERT IV:
Scotland Meets Shakespeare

Saturday, 25 April 2009, 8:00 p.m., Norwalk Ernsthausen Performing Arts Center
Sunday, 26 April 2009, 7:30p.m., Sandusky State Theatre

Celebrate the arrival of spring with the wondrous sounds of the orchestra and teenage virtuoso Caroline Goulding performing Bruch’s “Scottish Fantasy” on the violin! Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Lerner and Loewe’s “Overture to Brigadoon,” and Bernstein’s “Overture to West Side Story” will complete the program.

A reception and “Meet and Greet” with the conductor and soloist will be held after the concert.

PRINCIPAL BENEFACTORS

The Randolph J. and Estelle M. Dorn Foundation
The Frost-Parker Foundation

MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS

Geotrac Foundation, The Fund for Huron County, The Wightman-Wieber Charitable Foundation, The Murray and Murray Foundation, The Mylander Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Hanley, Sandusky/Erie County Community Foundation, FirstEnergy Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, KeyBank, Buckeye CableSystem.