Musical Arts Association

The Cleveland Orchestra was founded in 1918 by a group of local citizens intent on creating an ensemble worthy of joining America’s ranks of symphony orchestras. Over the next eight decades, under the direction of only seven chief conductors, the Orchestra grew from a fine regional organization to being one of the most admired symphonic ensembles in the world. Extensive concert seasons at home in Cleveland were augmented with educational programs that have introduced hundreds of thousands of Cleveland-area school children to classical music. Touring performances throughout the United States and, beginning in 1957, to Europe and across the globe have confirmed Cleveland’s place as one of the world’s handful of best orchestras. Year-round performances became a reality with the first Blossom Festival in 1968, presented at an award-winning, purpose-built outdoor facility located just south of the Cleveland metropolitan area near Akron, Ohio. Radio broadcasts and recordings (on LPs CDs, and now DVDs and via the internet) along with television performances and free community concerts have enlarged the ensemble’s total audience by millions of supporting patrons, enthusiastic fans, and discerning connoisseurs. Today, The Cleveland Orchestra stands at a crossroads in its storied history, inaugurating new programs, residencies, and fiscal opportunities while eagerly pursuing its long tradition of artistic excellence, educational engagement, and community service. The ensemble’s annual Severance Hall season remains one of the world’s most rewarding and thought-provoking experiences, exposing audiences to new music and favorite repertoire in performances that feature the best soloists from across the globe — all in the glowing acoustical warmth of a truly remarkable hometown concert hall. Source: www.clevelandorchestra.com