Mission
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 and showcase established guest soloists and new young 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.
To Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the CSO is dedicated Towards:
- Focusing on composers who are either undiscovered or under-appreciated in the orchestral canon, specifically those who are not white or male.
- Identifying organizations and key community members to help the organization advocate for and serve minority populations
- Appoint board members and ambassadors that reflect the community we serve
- Curate programming that showcases different cultures
- Working within our established Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee within the board of directors to continuously identiy pitfalls and additional ways the CSO can support our overall community
The CSO is proud to showcase both undiscovered and underappreciated music and musicians to Stark county.
MasterWorks: Our MasterWorks series is dedicated to incorporating undiscovered and underappreciated music and musicians within the classical realm. Within such a large canon of repertoire, pieces and artists have fallen through the cracks of time, and the CSO is dedicated to bringing these hidden gems to the stage once more. All of our MasterWorks concerts consist of one or more works but an under-represented composers, such as works by Ina Boyle, George Walker, Marianna Martines, Florence Price, and many others.
Pops: 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 to feature an amazing local band or solo artist, audiences are sure to experience the full power of a symphony in a way that will keep you coming back for more. Partnering with local artists is of the utmost importance to us, as we strive to represent our community.
Divergent Sounds: The Divergent Sounds Series was created to combine unexpected musical genres with classical music into one unique concert experience. Collaborating with local artists, Canton Symphony Orchestra musicians perform with some of the region’s most popular artists to create something exciting and new. Similar to our Pops Series, the Divergent Sounds series seeks to explore genres from Italian Folk Music, Hip Hop, Alternative, Rock, Punk, and Bubble Grunge, to be able to cater to what makes our community unique.
