FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Summer Serenades in the Park Return!CANTON, OHIO (May 31, 2018) – The popular program that combines the spontaneous sounds of nature and people enjoying a park with the orchestrated sounds of musicians is returning this summer. Serenades in the Park is a free, family-friendly series of brass, woodwind, and string ensembles performing all over Stark County. Everyone is invited to bring your favorite picnic food, games, and blanket or chair and enjoy the setting and music.

The Canton Symphony Orchestra (CSO) in partnership with the Stark County Park District (SCPD) will present the 7-concert series June to September. The series is sponsored in part by The Wendling Foundation and the Ada C. & Helen J. Rank Foundation.

The series consists of one hour performances taking place each month in June, July, August, and September, and features a different small ensemble of CSO musicians in a casual program of light classics, pops, patriotic, and jazz and/or folk repertoire. The theme for this year’s series is super heroes, so audiences are sure to hear some of their favorite hero themes at the concerts! Pre-concert activities will include displays, games, or tours before the concerts.

The schedule of the performances is:

Thursday, June 14 @ 6:30: Exploration Gateway Patio – Sippo Lake Park (5712 12th St NW, Canton)String QuartetScience Lab open beginning at 5:30

Tuesday, June 26 @ 6:30: Molly Stark Park (7900 Columbus Rd, Louisville)Brass QuintetInformation on the history of the park beginning at 5:30

Thursday, July 12 @ 6:30: Deer Creek Reservoir (14514 Price St NE, Alliance)Woodwind QuintetEagle viewing booth and information beginning at 5:30

Tuesday, July 24 @ 6:30: Fry Family Park (2533 Farber St NW, Magnolia)Harp & FluteBio Blitz Booth beginning at 5:30

Sunday, August 12 @ 4:00: Quail Hollow Park (13480 Congress Lake Ave, Hartville)String QuartetVisit the Stewart House and Carriage House Nature Center between 1pm & 4pm

Thursday, August 16 @ 6:30: Devonshire Park (4679 South Blvd NW, Canton)Trombone QuartetExplore the trail with a scavenger hunt beginning at 5:30

Sunday, September 2 @ 7:30pm: Petros Lake Park (3519 Perry Dr SW, Canton)Full OrchestraLife-size board games and play area open at 6:00, Snacks for purchase at on-site concessions, and complimentary shuttles to and from the parking area (5:30-9:30)

The mission of the Stark County Park District is to acquire, preserve, and develop natural areas for passive recreation, conservation, education, and nature appreciation. Stark Parks offers more than 14 parks and 110 miles of hiking, bicycling, and equestrian trails and four lakes for boating, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. More information is available at StarkParks.com.

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 at the Zimmermann Symphony Center 2331 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio (adjacent to McKinley High School). For more information, please visit www.CantonSymphony.org.

##Contact: Canton Symphony OrchestraDan Cavalancia, Marketing Managerdan@cantonsymphony.org

Jared Shive jshive@starkparks.com