Kent, Ohio — The Kent Blossom Music Festival, an educational partnership between Kent State University and The Cleveland Orchestra returns for its 56th season from June 23 through July 28.
The presenting partner of the Kent Blossom Music Festival 2024 Season is the Kulas Foundation, which was established in 1937 with the primary purpose of supporting the musical arts in the Greater Cleveland area.
“We believe in the transformational power of music and the invaluable impact this program has in our community. We look forward to the performances by this year’s young artists, musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, award winning ensembles such as Imani Winds and Poiesis Quartet, and of course members of the extraordinary Cleveland Orchestra,” said Nancy McCann, President of the Kulas Foundation.
Kent Blossom Music Festival will host four faculty concerts featuring 19 outstanding professional musicians, 10 young artist concerts featuring 43 student participants from all over the world, and a side-by-side concert with The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center. All faculty concerts will be ticketed and take place in Kent State University Glauser School of Music’s Ludwig Recital Hall in Kent.
“I am extremely grateful to the Kulas Foundation. This generous support allows the festival to present outstanding performances by world-renowned musicians as well as provide masterclasses to our young artists traveling from around world to participate in this intensive training and performing institute,” said Ricardo Sepulveda, Director of Kent Blossom Music Festival.
Faculty Concert Series
The Faculty Concert Series begins Wed., June 26 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Orion Weiss, piano and Arnaud Sussmann, violin, both artists from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The second concert showcases, Grammy Award-winning artists, Imani Winds on Wed., July 3 at 7:30 p.m. The Festival’s third concert welcomes the 2023 Grand Prize winner of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and winner of the 2024 Concert Artists Guild Competition, the Poiesis Quartet, to Ludwig Recital Hall Wed., July 10 at 7:30 p.m. Concluding the 2024 Faculty Concert Series on Wed., July 17 at 7:30pm is William Hagen, violin joined by musicians from The Cleveland Orchestra, Afendi Yusuf, clarinet; Stephen Tavani, violin; William Bender, viola; Tanya Ell, cello; Charles Paul, double bass; Barrick Stees, bassoon; and Richard King, horn. More information about the performers, concerts, artists meet and greets, and post-concert receptions can be found at www.kent.edu/blossom/concerts.
Young Artist Concert Series
The Young Artist Concert Series will present concerts throughout Northeast Ohio. These concerts will take place during the weekends of July 5-7 and July 19-21 at various venues including: the Hudson Library and Historical Society; Laurel Lake Retirement Community, Hudson Meadows Retirement Community in Hudson; Mixon Hall in Cleveland; and Ludwig Recital Hall in Kent.
Our season ends with a concert at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls on Sat., July 27 with the Kent Blossom Chamber Orchestra performing at 6 p.m. conducted by Associate Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra, Daniel Reith, and a side-by-side concert on-stage with The Cleveland Orchestra at 7 p.m. led by guest conductor, Hannu Lintu.
Subscriptions and Tickets
Subscriptions and single tickets for the Faculty Concert Series are available now. Pricing options are available for college students, seniors, and adults. Anyone 18 and under can attend free of charge. Advanced orders are highly encouraged. Detailed ticket information can be found at www.kent.edu/blossom/ticket-information.
Please note that this announcement does not reflect the independent programming of The Cleveland Orchestra and Blossom Music Center. For information regarding concerts of The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center, please visit www.clevelandorchestra.com.
About Kent Blossom Music Festival
Kent Blossom Music Festival is a 56-year-old educational partnership between Kent State University and The Cleveland Orchestra. During the summer, Young Artists from around the world study with members of The Cleveland Orchestra, Glauser School of Music faculty, and guest artists on the Kent State University Kent Campus. On average, 16 Faculty and Young Artist concerts are presented every season.
Media Contacts:
Jen Crabtree
Director of Marketing, Communications, and PR
Kent State University College of the Arts
jcrabt13@kent.edu
www.kent.edu/artscollege
Ricardo Sepulveda
Director, Kent Blossom Music Festival
rsepulv1@kent.edu
www.kent.edu/blossom