Music @ AkronFCC
The inaugural season of Music@AkronFCC is almost over, but we already have next year’s concerts lined up! While not all concerts are confirmed yet, you can expect the first Akron concert by the Cleveland Repertory Orchestra, the rescheduled Organ concert by AkronFCC’s former organist, Valerie Thorson, and the Max Johnson Trio from New York!
Music@AkronFCC is funded by your generous donations. Consider how you can help support arts and culture in Akron!
Oikos Jazz Ensemble: Earth Walk
Earth Walk: A Celebration of Mother Earth
There are many creation stories that have arisen from just about every culture: The familiar account in the book of Genesis in the Judeo-Christian tradition; ancient Chinese myths that speak of a cosmic egg; the Maori people of New Zealand and the Sky Father and Earth Mother; Norse mythology recalling the thawing of ice bringing forth the first giants; a Haudenosaunee Native American story of the Earth forming on the back of a great turtle; In Greek mythology Gaia, the personification of the earth, was the mother from which all living things sprang forth.
Join as the Oikos Ensemble tells this reimagining of the Creation Story through Jazz and Story.
This concert is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be taken to support the Music@AkronFCC Concert Series.
POSTPONED: Valerie Thorson, organ & George Pope, flute
This concert has been postponed to October 4, 2026, 4:00 PM.
Valerie Thorson and George Pope give a concert in our Meetinghouse on the 20th anniversary of our organ’s restoration! Reception to follow.
This concert is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be taken to support the Music@AkronFCC Concert Series.
As a professional organist and choir director for nearly fifty years, Ms. Valerie Thorson has served churches in Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, Florida, and Ohio (she was Organist and Music Director here at AkronFCC for nearly 14 years!). Valerie has taught at Kenyon College, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Akron, and the College of Wooster. She was Co-Founder of the Chamber Music Society of Ohio, a professional chamber ensemble, and served as the principal keyboard/continuo player for the Akron Baroque Orchestra for nine years. Her performance of Handel’s Organ Concerto in F Major with that ensemble was called “clear and lively…eloquent,” by ClevelandClassical.com.
George Pope is Emeritus Professor of Flute at The University of Akron (1978-2013) and former Instructor of Flute at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory (2002-2023). Formerly the principal flute of The Akron Symphony from 1978-2002, he has also performed with The Cleveland Orchestra, the Brevard Music Center Orchestra, the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and the Canton and Toledo Symphony Orchestras. He is currently Principal Flute of the Blossom Festival Band. Mr. Pope is a founding member of the Solaris Wind Quintet and the Chamber Music Society of Ohio, and serves on the Board of the Tuesday Musical Association in Akron.
Metropolitan Chorus
The Metropolitan Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Britt Cooper, is a unique adult choral ensemble focusing on a wide variety of music with intimately-performed works. Representing many diverse backgrounds, cultures, races and beliefs, these multi-generational singers are brought together by their love of the choral arts. They share a dedication to excellence, exploring and preserving choral repertoire from all over the world. SCS’s Metropolitan Chorus provides relevant, inspiring and ingenuitive programming throughout the greater Akron community.
This concert will be a double feature, with a program of Splendid Serenades by the Children’s Choir Program at 4pm and Mozart’s Requiem at 7:30pm by the Metropolitan Chorus.
This is a paid event, and each concert is ticketed separately.