35 Year Veteran of the Canton Symphony, Scott Johnston, Featured in the Upcoming Concert, 11/3

By: Oct. 23, 2013
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CANTON, Ohio (October 24, 2013) - One of the legends of Canton Symphony Orchestra lore will be featured in the orchestra's upcoming November 3concert. Scott Johnston - 35-year veteran of the orchestra - highlights a Baroque-music-filled evening.

Johnston, a resident of Green, started full time in the orchestra one season prior to Gerhardt Zimmermann, the current Music Director. The Canton Symphony Orchestra holds many wonderful memories for him, but none greater than the orchestra is where he met his wife. "Linda came to the Akron area in 1989 and we met in the Canton Symphony Orchestra. We then both participated in a music festival in Graz, Austria where we became better friends. The rest is history."

Growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, it seems that Johnston had a tough time figuring out which instrument he loved the most. He started on piano, then moved to violin, finally settling on the trumpet at age 14. He might also conclude: the rest is history.

When asked about his favorite memories over his 35-year career with the orchestra, Johnston stated, "Almost every Canton Symphony concert is memorable, but in the early 1980s we played Mahler's 5th Symphony - that was a very special concert. More recently, I felt the concerts with Menaham Pressler were inspiring."

Regarding the upcoming November 3 concert, he notes that historically, the trumpet was at one of its high points in the Baroque era. The "Baroque Bash" is an obvious place to feature his instrument. The spotlight will be on Johnston as he performs The Prince of Denmark's March (Trumpet Voluntary), one of the most well-known Baroque pieces ever composed, and one of the most frequently played pieces at weddings. "It's really fun to play the trumpet parts on the modern piccolo trumpet," he said.

Johnston continues, "I'm also looking forward to playingLet the Bright Seraphim with Erin Cooper Gay. She is a world-class amazing talent and the piece works so beautifully between voice and trumpet."

Gay is the featured soprano of the evening. She will be performing Handel's Lascia ch'oi pianga, Bach's "Coffee" Cantata and Handel's aforementioned Let the Bright Seraphim.

Continuing its legacy as one of the premiere orchestras in the country, performing world-class music with world-class guest artists, the Canton Symphony's evening lineup also includes Handel's Water Music and Entrance of the Queen of Sheba from Solomon, Arcangelo Corelli's Concerto Grosso, Vivaldi's In furore iustissimae irae, and Pachelbel's most famous Canon in D Major.

Tickets for the concert range from $25-$45. There are senior, student and group discounts available. Dress is casual and the concert is appropriate for ages 8 and older. Tickets and the full concert season schedule are available online at www.CantonSymphony.org, by calling330-452-2094, at the box office window located inside the Cultural Center for the Arts (weekdays 10am-2pm), or by walk-up.

The orchestra has also implemented "Student Rush" pricing this year. Beginning one hour prior to any MasterWorks concert, students may purchase any available ticket for only $10 when they show a valid student ID at the Box Office.

Founded in 1937, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain. Under the direction of Gerhardt Zimmermann, the orchestra performs classical, pops, holiday, and educational programs. Most performances are in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, 2323 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio (at McKinley High School across from C.T. Branin Natatorium). Parking at McKinley High School is free. For more information, please visitwww.CantonSymphony.org.



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