Canton Symphony Orchestra Presents January's CASUAL CONCERT Highlighting Clarinet & Cello Tonight

The Canton Symphony Orchestra's popular Casual Series this month highlights two of the orchestra's principal musicians. Tonight, January 15, Randy Klein, principal clarinet and Erica Snowden, principal cello will perform a 1:00pm matinee performance in Foundation Hall at the Zimmermann Symphony Center (2331 17th Street NW, Canton) and again at 8:00pm at Tapas 218 restaurant in downtown Canton.

The Casual Series spotlights small ensembles of Canton Symphony Orchestra musicians performing music that is a combination of classical and contemporary in a setting that is relaxed and intimate. The musicians interact with the audience and share background information about the music on the program. The program will include pieces by Ahbez, Gounod, Kreisler, Gershwin and Chopin. For the matinee performance, pianist Shuai Wang will join Mr. Klein and Ms. Snowden to perform a trio piece by Brahms.

Randy Klein has performed as the principal clarinetist with the Canton Symphony since 1996. Prior to this engagement he also served as principal clarinetist of the Columbus (OH) Symphony, Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, and La Orquesta Filharmonica de Bogotá. Mr. Klein has appeared as soloist and in recitals in the United States, Europe and South America including a recital in the presidential palace for the President of Colombia. He received both a Bachelor in Performance and an Artist's Diploma from The Curtis Institute of Music.

Erica Snowden has been a very active performer and teacher in the Greater Cleveland area. She is a faculty member at Cleveland State University, principal cellist of the Canton Symphony, associate principal of the Erie Philharmonic, and a member of the Akron Symphony. Erica has also played principal cello in Cleveland's own Opera Circle and Opera Per Tutti. Miss Snowden holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Shuai Wang is a native of Tianjin, China. With full scholarship, she left China at age fourteen to study piano at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. Shuai Wang serves now as a faculty of piano and theory at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She has given numerous solo and chamber concerts throughout the United States, China and Europe and performed in venues including Lincoln Center, John F. Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the Gardner Museum in Boston, and has given chamber music recitals in Budapest (Hungary) and Stuttgart (Germany) as well as Tianjin Chinese (ZhongHua) Theatre.

Tickets for the matinee are $15 for regular adult admission and $10 for students and seniors. A dessert and coffee reception for audience members and the performers is available after the concert and is included in the ticket price. Advance sale tickets for the event can be purchased by calling the box office at (330) 452-2094 or by visitingwww.cantonsymphony.org. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Tapas 218 (218 Court Ave. NW, Canton) will host the evening performance on the same date beginning at 8:00pm. Tapas 218 will offer food and/or drink specials for the performance. There is no cover charge for the evening performance. Those interested in attending the evening performance are encouraged to make a reservation by calling the restaurant at 330-456-3888.

Founded in 1937, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain residents of Stark County and beyond. The orchestra performs classical, holiday, and a variety of educational programs in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, 2323 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio, as well as other venues in Stark County. For more information, please visit www.cantonsymphony.org or call (330)452-2094. Administrative offices are located at the Zimmermann Symphony Center 2331 17th Street NW, Canton OH 44708.

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