The Cleveland Orchestra Music Study Groups for the 2019-20 season will begin on September 24, 25, and 26, 2019 at convenient community locations across the Greater Cleveland area. The classes explore music from The Cleveland Orchestra’s upcoming season of subscription concerts at Severance Hall. This series is divided into three parts — fall, winter, spring — and participants may register for a selection of classes that best fits their schedule.

Presented in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Public Library and Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, The Cleveland Orchestra Music Study Groups are supported by Friends of The Cleveland Orchestra and other generous donors to the Orchestra’s education programs.  As part of their goal to serve Northeast Ohio, The Cleveland Orchestra has long been committed to presenting community programs that promote engagement with music. The Music Study Group series aims to deepen the connection to music in the concert hall, enrich the concert experience, and foster lifelong learning along with a love of music.

SERIES DESCRIPTION

Music Study Groups explore music from The Cleveland Orchestra’s upcoming classical music subscription concerts through lively presentations and listening activities. Participants, ranging from beginners to experienced listeners, examine the lives and musical styles of composers in addition to the cultural and historical context of their music, while also developing keen listening skills. The registration fee includes the 2019-20 Listening Guide, a booklet of information on featured works, printed with generous support from Jan Harding and George Coleman.

Music Study Groups are led by Rose Breckenridge, who earned her Ph.D. in music from Case Western Reserve University.  Dr. Breckenridge also serves as the regular Concert Preview speaker for The Cleveland Orchestra’s Friday Matinee series, plus other select Cleveland Orchestra performances at Severance Hall. View an interview with Rose Breckenridge on WKYC-TV3’s “Golden Opportunities” program.

The League of American Orchestras’ Volunteer Council named Cleveland Orchestra Music Study Groups as the winner of a Roundtable Award in their 2017 Gold Book competition. The award was presented in recognition of Cleveland Orchestra Music Study Groups and their work in the Cleveland community. Friends of The Cleveland Orchestra started Music Study Groups in 1921, and the Orchestra’s Education Department began to oversee the program in 1994, with continued support from Friends of The Cleveland Orchestra.

MUSIC STUDY GROUP DATES

FALL:               September 24 – October 31

WINTER:         January 28 – March 5

SPRING:          April 14 – May 21

Registrants may choose from four different community locations and meeting times. Participants also enjoy the option of making up a class at any location if they have a conflict on a particular day.

MUSIC STUDY GROUP LOCATIONS

Cuyahoga County Public Library

Beachwood Branch

25501 Shaker Boulevard, Beachwood
Tuesdays, 1:15-2:45 p.m.

Fall, Winter, and Spring

Fairview Park Branch
21255 Lorain Road, Fairview Park
Wednesdays, 1:15-2:45 p.m.

Fall and Spring

Orange Branch

31975 Chagrin Boulevard, Pepper Pike

Thursdays, 1:15-2:45 p.m.

Fall, Winter, and Spring

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library

2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights
Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Fall, Winter, and Spring

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Registration is easy and convenient. Mail-in brochures are available at all Music Study Group locations, Severance Hall information racks (located in the Smith Lobby and near the Harris elevator), and on the Orchestra’s website. Registration may also be completed with credit card payment by calling 216-231-7355. Mail-in registrations with payment by check or credit card can be sent to:

Cleveland Orchestra Music Study Groups

c/o Education & Community Programs,

Severance Hall,

11001 Euclid Avenue,

Cleveland, OH 44106-1796

Registration fees are discounted for a longer series length: $100 for a three-part series; $80 for any two-part combination of fall, winter, or spring; and $50 for any one part. A sample class schedule for 2019-20 Music Study Groups is available on the Orchestra’s website.

CONCERT TICKETS FOR MUSIC STUDY GROUP MEMBERS WITH VISION LOSS

Tickets to Friday Matinee Concerts are available for Music Study Group members with vision loss. This benefit is generously supported by The Cleveland Orchestra’s Alice Cull Memorial Fund. Requests are processed on a first come, first served basis by contacting the Education and Community Programs Department at 216-231-7355, or by email education@clevelandorchestra.com.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Music Study Groups are presented by The Cleveland Orchestra in partnership with Cuyahoga County Public Library and Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library. The Cleveland Orchestra’s partnership with Cuyahoga County Public Library also includes other Orchestra programs presented at their branches — chamber music concerts by Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra musicians and interactive Family Workshops leading up to The Cleveland Orchestra’s annual Star-Spangled Spectacular summer concert in Downtown Cleveland.

For more information about Cleveland Orchestra Music Study Groups or any of The Cleveland Orchestra’s educational offerings, please contact Education and Community Programs at 216-231-7355, or visitclevelandorchestra.com/education-and-community/education-overview.

Tess Abney

Tess Abney is a freelance writer who was born and raised in the Quad Cities. She spends most of her time attempting to successfully raise three boys. In her free time, writing is her passion. Whether it is sharing local events and businesses with readers or sharing her thoughts on life, she finds comfort in the way words can bring people together.