Mission
The mission of the Canton Symphony Orchestra is to perform and present orchestral music at the highest possible artistic level to enrich, entertain, educate, and challenge diverse audiences in a variety of settings. In doing so, we will serve our community, manage our resources responsibly, and be accountable to our donors, audiences, employees, and volunteers.
In carrying out the Association’s mission to perform and present live orchestral music at the highest possible artistic level, the orchestra will perform both standard and contemporary repertoire, with a continued focus on presenting artists of diverse backgrounds. It will continue to commission new music, showcase established guest soloists, and provide opportunities for new talent. It will provide service to American orchestras by offering its musicians experience in performing a wide range of repertoire under the direction of conductors of high quality.
Classical music is a rich, vibrant genre that spans centuries, continents, and cultures. There is so much to appreciate and to discover. The MasterWorks series is the main reason why the Canton Symphony Orchestra exists as a nonprofit performing arts organization. We offer seven MasterWorks concerts every year to our community, exploring the vast orchestral music canon.
The CSO performs traditional favorites, contemporary and new works, and showcases composers previously undiscovered or under-appreciated throughout history.
Every year, Canton Symphony Orchestra strives to reach new audiences. Classical music is an art form that is enjoyed by too few, often dismissed due to it not being front and center in our everyday lives. The Pops series exists to introduce audiences to orchestral programming with music that may be more familiar to them. Whether the full orchestra accompanies a rock band for nostalgic classics or features an amazing local band, you are sure to experience the full power of a symphony in a way that will keep you coming back for more.
The Canton Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to bringing supplemental music education to Stark county and beyond. We offer three education based concerts, Young People’s Concert, SymphonyLand, and Kinder Concert, in addition to a variety of community education programs.
Ready to join the music? Led by Music Director, Matthew Jenkins Jaroszewicz, the Canton Youth Symphony has grown to include three ensembles and is made up of students from nine counties in the Northeast Ohio area. Elementary through high school students occupy the three ensembles of the program. and enjoy the challenging and joyful educational experience that CYS creates.
Whether you are 3 or 103, the Canton Symphony Orchestra wants you to learn more about music and how to bring it into your life.
Discover the new sound when two different musical genres are combined into one unique concert experience. Hear Canton Symphony Orchestra musicians perform with some of the region’s most popular artists. Explore genres from Hip Hop, Alternative, Rock, to Bubble Grunge!
Find your niche, and discover new music that will crush the old idea of what going to an orchestra concert means.
History
The Canton Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was founded in 1937 and performed its inaugural concert on February 16, 1938, under the baton of Richard Oppenheim. In 1949, Louis Lane, Assistant Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, became the CSO’s second Music Director, beginning a tradition of Cleveland Orchestra Assistant Conductors taking the helm of the Canton Symphony. Michael Charry served as Music Director from 1961 through 1974, after which Robert Marcellus was appointed CSO Music Advisor. Thomas Michalak, Exxon Arts Endowment Conductor with the Pittsburgh Symphony, became music director in 1976, following the CSO’s first-ever national search. Gerhardt Zimmermann, then Associate Conductor of the Saint Louis Symphony, succeeded Michalak in 1980, serving the CSO with distinction for 43 years. Following his unexpected passing on June 10, 2023 after a brief illness, Zimmermann was named Music Director Laureate, and Matthew Jenkins Jaroszewicz has since succeeded him as Music Director. As we enter the 2024-2025 season, titled “A Season of Firsts,” we are eager to embrace a new era of music-making for our community.
The Canton Youth Symphony was established in 1961, followed by the formation of the Symphony League of Canton in 1963, and the Canton Symphony Chorus in 1983. Now in its 87th season, the Canton Symphony Orchestra stands as a fully professional ensemble, with all musicians being members of the American Federation of Musicians. Their employment is governed by a collective bargaining agreement with Local 111 of the AFM, ensuring fair wages and working conditions. After a brief hiatus from 2019 to 2023, the Symphony League of Canton has been revitalized under the leadership of Rita Albright, its re-founding chair. Under her guidance, the League has experienced significant growth in membership, services, and funding, fueling exciting new possibilities for the future.
The Canton Symphony Orchestra has provided educational programming to the Greater Stark County region since 1971. These programs are designed to meet national and state curriculum standards in subjects such as English language arts, math, science, social studies, visual arts, and music. Last year, our educational season focused on themes of nutrition and wellness, drawing parallels between a balanced diet and a well-balanced orchestra. This year, our theme is “Space & Sky,” exploring the fascinating connections between the vastness of our galaxy, the dynamic forces of Earth’s weather, and their relationship to music and orchestral composition.