Gospel Meets Symphony Returns to Akron on Valentine's Day Weekend, February 15th

AKRON, Ohio - Jan. 30, 2014 - PRLog -- Treat your valentine to a very special evening at Gospel Meets Symphony. Now in its 21^st year, Gospel Meets Symphony returns to The University of Akron’s EJ Thomas hall on Saturday, February 15^th at 7:30 pm. For one night only, witness the power of the 200 voice Gospel Meets Symphony Choir as it joins forces with the Akron Symphony Orchestra to perform some of the world’s most inspiring gospel and classical music under the direction of Christopher Wilkins, the Akron Symphony Orchestra Music Director, and Chorus Master Jennifer Mekel Jones.

“Gospel is all about good news. Symphony brings musical genius to life. Each can stand alone, but its pure magic to see them come together,” said Gospel Meets Symphony Chorus Master, Jennifer Mekel Jones. “If you haven’t witnessed it before, I assure you that you won’t be able to stay in your seat.”

“Plenty of other cities do gospel music concerts with their orchestras, but what’s unique in Akron is the emphasis on community,” said Maestro Christopher Wilkins. “It isn’t just a concert of music from a multitude of traditions. The music is a tool for bringing people together and inviting their wholehearted participation with us. That’s the higher purpose of Gospel Meets Symphony.”

Gospel Meets Symphony is Akron’s premiere collaborative concert, bringing the Akron community together for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and celebration. Concertgoers will also enjoy vocal appearances by Wanda Hunt, Johnathon Turner, Marquetta Wootson, Ethel Satterwhite, Charmaine Wilson, Doretha Folds-Williams and Charlene DeJournett. Chuck Collins of Rubber City Radio Group will return as emcee.

“The Gospel Meets Symphony choir itself is a means of connecting with a diversity of communities in our city through our Akron-based musicians, including university faculty and students, teachers, church musicians, professional instrumentalists and singers, and amateur musicians,” said Wilkins. “No symphony tradition has done more to foster deep bonds within this community than our annual Gospel Meets Symphony program."

Tickets for Gospel Meets Symphony are on sale and range from $25 to $55 with discounts for seniors, students and groups. Great seats are still available, but tickets are going fast. To order tickets, call the Akron Symphony at 330-535-8131, order online at www.akronsymphony.org, or purchase through EJ Thomas Hall at 330-972-7570 or www.uaevents.com. Visit the Akron Symphony website for a complete concert calendar and additional program details. Patron tickets are available for an additional $35 each and include valet parking, a listing in the concert program and an invitation to the post-concert reception. Patron tickets can only be purchased through the Akron Symphony office. Interpreters will be available at this concert.

The Akron Symphony appreciates our sponsors, including Concert Sponsor, FirstMerit Foundation, media partners Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com, 89.7FM WKSU, Akron Life, 1590AM WAKR, The Wave and The Light. Additional support is provided by The University of Akron and the Ohio Arts Council, which helps fund Akron Symphony Orchestra concerts with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

For 62 years, the Akron Symphony Orchestra has been a driving musical force throughout the Greater Akron area. Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, the Akron Symphony Orchestra is committed to enhancing the quality of life of our community through educational and musical excellence. The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association, Inc. (GAMA). GAMA’s vision is to be embraced and sustained as a community treasure that provides a welcoming environment for all people to experience great music. This vision is realized by operating the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, and numerous special outreach and educational programs.