E. J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, built by The University of Akron is an outstanding performing arts complex and cultural center.
Located on the corner of University Avenue and Hill Street on The University of Akron’s campus in downtown Akron, Thomas Hall annually hosts more than 400,000 people of all ages who visit the Hall for a variety of performances.
The Tuesday Musical Association invited The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus to perform HOLST The Planets – An HD Odyssey. We had just sung this twice @ Severance Hall, squished into a cubby back stage, with this huge piece of equipment that looked like something the Wizard of Oz would use.
Located on the corner of University Avenue and Hill Street on The University of Akron’s campus in downtown Akron, Thomas Hall annually hosts more than 400,000 people of all ages who visit the Hall for a variety of performances.
The Tuesday Musical Association invited The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus to perform HOLST The Planets – An HD Odyssey. We had just sung this twice @ Severance Hall, squished into a cubby back stage, with this huge piece of equipment that looked like something the Wizard of Oz would use.
The sound is supposed to drift through the Hall so that the listeners aren't really sure if they are hearing it!
It was successful except for a "cougher" who couldn't hold it in any longer and let loose in the final magical seconds, and someone who despite seeing "turn off your cell phone" signs throughout the Hall decided he was more important than that and had the ringer go off during our "oohing and ahhing".
So when we went to Akron, we expected much the same thing. Lot's of Hurry up & Wait, followed by a quick trip to the basement/closet/dressing room to sing 5 minutes of music off stage.
Imagine our suprise to be asked to sing from a flying balcony inside E.J. Thomas Hall. Well it turned out that the sound was too present. Thinking that this was the time where we were sent to a bathroom in the adjacent parking lot to sing, we were all pleasantly suprised to be allowed to sing from the lounge lobby. Complete with comfy chairs and beautiful Christmas decorations.
Not only that but pre concert we received the star treatment with full spread of fresh fruit, sandwiches, cookies, tea, coffee etc. All there for us! We shared the banquet with the Orchestra, who were just as suprised by the hospitality as we were. We all sat together chatting and mingling, something that rarely, if ever, happens at Severance Hall. We learnt a lot about our lovely new assistant conductor Sasha Makila, who sat with us during dinner enthralling the ladies with his Finnish accent and open manner.
The concert itself went very well, and the final sound resonated through the lobby like the final note in a European cathedral, it just whirled around adding to the ethereal quality we all worked so hard to achieve.
I don't know why there is usually such a distinct separation between orchestra and chorus. Don't get me wrong, I love Severance Hall, but last night was something special and it was really refreshing not to feel like the ugly girl at a supermodel convention!
Maybe it was the way we were treated by the people of Akron, and those in charge at E.J. Thomas Hall, but everything was more relaxed and friendly. I hope we can continue this melding of musicians, yes singers are musicians too.
