by April Helms
Special Products Editor
"There have been a lot of changes in the past 10 years."
That was Darrell Lee Music's response when asked about how the Stow Symphony Orchestra has changed in the last decade.
Music, who has been music director and conductor for the orchestra since 1998, said the orchestra has come a long way in many respects since its early years. Its spring concert will serve as a nod to those early years in many ways.
The Stow Symphony Orchestra's spring concert in Stow will be at the Fishcreek Nazarene Worship Center, 4669 Fishcreek Road in Stow on May 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors; children 12 years old and under may attend for free.
Tickets are sold at the door the day of the performance.
The concert will include Beethoven's early masterpiece, the Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36.
This piece was done in the orchestra's second year, and was the first full symphony the orchestra ever played, Music said.
"I think we held up admirably nine years ago, but I think it was too much for the group then," Music said. "It's gratifying to see how far this group has come."
The concert highlight will be the premiere performance of Cleveland native Eric Ewazen's Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra featuring soloist Karen Grzesiak, flute.
"[Ewazen's] music has been played all over the world," Music said. "He's also a personal friend of mine. It's appropriate that we are doing an Eric Ewazen piece."
Another tie to the orchestra is Grzesiak, a former executive director for the Stow Symphony, Music said.
Music said he had three goals when he started the Stow Symphony Orchestra. One, he wanted to conduct. Another reason was the dedication and potential he saw for a local symphony.
"There were people who were traveling more than an hour to play with the Tuscarawas Philharmonic," Music said. "These are dedicated musicians."
The third reason?
"I love the art," he responded. "It's like when you want to go see a Van Gogh painting, you go to an art museum. The best way to experience Beethoven is not on a CD. The best way to appreciate the music is live, in a music hall."
Now in its tenth season, The Stow Symphony Orchestra has more than 45 volunteer musicians, and is a member of the American Symphony Orchestra League.
Two inaugural members of the Stow Symphony, Judy Mikes of Streetsboro and Julie Prather of Kent, agreed that the symphony has grown and improved since its early days.
"When we first started, we were comparable to a high school group," Prather said. "We have really improved."
Mikes, who plays clarinet, said that another inaugural member, Betsy Frasure, initially told her about the auditions for the new orchestra.
"She called me and told me 'hey, you should audition for this orchestra, they really need woodwinds,'" Mikes said. "When I walked into my audition, I was shaking like a leaf. I hadn't auditioned for anything in years."
Prather, who plays oboe, said she grew up in the Stow-Munroe Falls school system.
"Judy [Mikes] was my first band teacher," Prather said.
While she wasn't nervous, Prather said she had another interesting challenge at the auditions.
"I was actually pregnant when I auditioned," Prather said.
Prather said she found out about the orchestra from Music, whom she works with.
"I always wanted to play in an orchestra," she said. "My high school didn't have an orchestra, and even my college didn't have one."
Mikes, who keeps active in local music groups, said she wanted to be "a role model for my past and present students."
"I think it's great that students and their parents come to these," Mikes said.
"I think it's neat that once the students graduate, they can join this," Prather added.
Mikes said that the Stow area was "very fortunate" to have an orchestra.
"I look forward to playing for our 20-year anniversary," Mikes said. "I enjoy this very much."
For details on the Stow Symphony Orchestra, call 330-678-0029 or visit www.stoworchestra.org online.