Cleveland Orchestra to Launch 'Summers@Severance' Series in August

The Cleveland Orchestra announces a new series of concerts, "Summers@Severance," to be performed on three Friday nights at Severance Hall in August 2014. The series, sponsored by Thompson Hine LLP, takes place August 1, 15, and 29, with each concert beginning at 7 p.m. The series marks the first time in decades that the Orchestra is presenting its own series of ticketed summer concerts in Cleveland - and is designed to expand the ensemble's summertime offerings and showcase the Orchestra as an integral part of its home neighborhood all year round.

"With the renewed vitality and ongoing success of University Circle and Uptown as a thriving urban neighborhood, we believe that The Cleveland Orchestra can be an active part of that growth and excitement throughout the year," said Gary Hanson, the Orchestra's executive director, in announcing the new series. "The Cleveland Orchestra has branched out in recent years. We are experimenting with different kinds of programming, and want to continue developing new series to serve Northeast Ohio. Summers@Severance expands beyond the Orchestra's annual Blossom Music Festival concerts, giving classical concertgoers more options and more music."

The Summers@Severance programs on three Friday evenings in August are being created to present popular orchestral programming at a friendly time in the acclaimed acoustics of Severance Hall. Each will be presented in collaboration with important Cleveland institutions, as the Orchestra continues to embrace its role as a major cultural partner across the life of Northeast Ohio. The entire series celebrates and adds to the diversity of summer cultural offerings in the University Circle area.

"The Cleveland Orchestra is a major cornerstone of the University Circle neighborhood," commented Chris Ronayne, president of University Circle Inc. "We are extraordinarily excited to have the Orchestra opening its doors for Summers@Severance. These concerts will join together with a wide array of summertime activities and festivities, from the fun of Wade Oval Wednesdays to the Cleveland Museum of Art's MIX event mingling, from Parade the Circle to special exhibits at museums and more unusual performances of theater and music with Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Institute of Music, and to the new visual arts scene at MOCA and the Cleveland Institute of Art. Great arts make great neighborhoods."

The August 15 concert is taking place in conjunction with Cleveland's hosting of the 2014 Gay Games, August 9-16, and will be one of several official cultural events for the Games.

For the August 29 concert, the Orchestra is partnering with area colleges and universities as a special kick-off to the fall semester and the Orchestra's ongoing and successful programs to draw young people to concerts throughout the year.

"As long-time supporters, we are delighted to be sponsoring The Cleveland Orchestra's ongoing work in building new audiences and providing opportunities for younger audiences to connect with the Orchestra," said Deborah Read, managing partner of Cleveland-based law firm Thompson Hine LLP, the corporate sponsor for the Summers@Severance series. "The Orchestra is having significant success developing new programming that has greater appeal to particular audiences, and we are pleased to be supporting this success. Music is uplifting and inspiring for all audiences - and no one plays it better than The Cleveland Orchestra."

"A concert is both a musical and social experience," said Hanson. "Inspired by the popular success of our KeyBank Fridays@7 and Celebrity Series, we want to offer concertgoers an entire evening - of music together with a relaxing and inviting time to spend with friends. We are inviting everyone to linger after the concert on these beautiful summer evenings to enjoy the outdoors with fellow concertgoers on the Front Terrace of Severance Hall. What can be better than discussing a great concert over a glass of wine or a beer, on a beautiful evening with friends?"

The Front Terrace of Severance Hall will be open before and after each concert, with beverage service and seating areas. Special "happy hour" drink prices will be offered in the hour prior to each concert, with attendees encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the outdoors.

Details of the Summers@Severance series follow.

Series tickets (all three concerts as a package) for the Summers@Severance series are now on sale through the Ticket Office or online at clevelandorchestra.com. Individual tickets go on sale beginning Monday, June 9. For more information about purchasing tickets, call Cleveland Orchestra Ticket Services at 216-231-1111 or 800-686-1141, or visit clevelandorchestra.com.

The Severance Hall Ticket Office is located on street level inside the Smith Lobby. The Ticket Office entrance and 15-minute Ticket Service parking are on the west side of the building, along East Boulevard. Severance Hall Ticket Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and, from September through May, Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed Sundays and holidays except for those days with performances, when the Ticket Office is open three hours prior to a performance).

Concert listing details follow on next page.

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