Akron Baroque is a chamber orchestra of 14 professional musicians specializing in a traditional approach to music from the 17th and 18th centuries. This group performs two or three concerts each season in the rich acoustic of the sanctuary in the First Congregational Church of Akron located at 292 East Market Street. Akron Baroque is a non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of the community for its support. All concerts are given free of any charge and are open to the public.
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The group was formed in 2006 as the inspiration of its founder, Amy Barlowe. In Amy's words, "Growing up in a family of nature illustrators who listened to classical music as a background for their finely detailed work, inspired my lifelong dream to create and be part of a small chamber orchestra. Because music of the baroque period (approximately 1600 - 1750) is not only abundant, but quite possibly the most accessible music to the widest spectrum of concertgoers, and because Akron didn’t have one, I thought a traditionally oriented baroque orchestra would make a wonderful gift to our community.
Shortly before the summer of 2006, with the encouragement of my husband, Alan Bodman, Concertmaster of the Akron Symphony and Professor of Violin and Viola at University of Akron, I began to think of who I would like to invite to fill the positions in the ensemble I envisioned. The obvious choice for Concertmaster was my husband, and I would once again have the pleasure of sharing a stand with him as I had done for 11 years in the Akron Symphony. But there were 12 other positions to be filled.
Finding a Music Director was easy. Through Alan, I’d heard of the wonderful reputation that Guy Victor Bordo had already developed at the University of Akron as well as with his own professional orchestra in Richmond, Indiana. Although he was new to Akron, his experience and vibrant, energetic personality seemed perfect for the post. And I couldn’t have made a better choice!
Finding the rest of our players didn’t take long, either! I really didn’t know what to expect when I asked eleven of the extraordinarily talented, and extremely busy, musicians from the area if they’d like to join Akron Baroque. I was thrilled when almost without exception, everyone excitedly accepted my invitation! But why would these musicians take time from their already full schedules to become a part of our new little orchestra? I think the following statement from our principal cellist, Greg Fiocca, answers this question poignantly.
'When someone calls you and asks if you would like to perform some of the most sublime music ever written with some of the region's finest free-lance players, you clear your schedule, load your instrument in the car and bring your A-game. The effort transcends the minutia of the work day and its product hopefully becomes a source of great joy for performers and audience members alike.'
The next challenge was finding a place to perform. When Valerie Thorson, Music Director of the First Congregational Church of Akron learned of the formation of Akron Baroque, she urged us to make the newly renovated sanctuary the venue for our concerts. The setting could not be more perfect for a small chamber orchestra, both visually and acoustically!
I can’t thank my friends, colleagues, and husband enough for their unfailing support and selfless contribution to Akron Baroque. Special thanks go to Valerie Thorson, our keyboard artist, who so generously has given us the most beautiful home base imaginable. A debt of gratitude goes to all of our incredibly talented players. To our Music Director, Guy Bordo, I am most grateful for the wisdom, enthusiasm, and inspiration he shares with us all, both on and off the podium.
As one of the characters in a recent and popular film so aptly said, 'Develop your dreams, and you create passion. Develop the dreams of others, and you create Heaven.' For me, and hopefully others, Akron Baroque is a bit of Heaven."
Shortly before the summer of 2006, with the encouragement of my husband, Alan Bodman, Concertmaster of the Akron Symphony and Professor of Violin and Viola at University of Akron, I began to think of who I would like to invite to fill the positions in the ensemble I envisioned. The obvious choice for Concertmaster was my husband, and I would once again have the pleasure of sharing a stand with him as I had done for 11 years in the Akron Symphony. But there were 12 other positions to be filled.
Finding a Music Director was easy. Through Alan, I’d heard of the wonderful reputation that Guy Victor Bordo had already developed at the University of Akron as well as with his own professional orchestra in Richmond, Indiana. Although he was new to Akron, his experience and vibrant, energetic personality seemed perfect for the post. And I couldn’t have made a better choice!
Finding the rest of our players didn’t take long, either! I really didn’t know what to expect when I asked eleven of the extraordinarily talented, and extremely busy, musicians from the area if they’d like to join Akron Baroque. I was thrilled when almost without exception, everyone excitedly accepted my invitation! But why would these musicians take time from their already full schedules to become a part of our new little orchestra? I think the following statement from our principal cellist, Greg Fiocca, answers this question poignantly.
'When someone calls you and asks if you would like to perform some of the most sublime music ever written with some of the region's finest free-lance players, you clear your schedule, load your instrument in the car and bring your A-game. The effort transcends the minutia of the work day and its product hopefully becomes a source of great joy for performers and audience members alike.'
The next challenge was finding a place to perform. When Valerie Thorson, Music Director of the First Congregational Church of Akron learned of the formation of Akron Baroque, she urged us to make the newly renovated sanctuary the venue for our concerts. The setting could not be more perfect for a small chamber orchestra, both visually and acoustically!
I can’t thank my friends, colleagues, and husband enough for their unfailing support and selfless contribution to Akron Baroque. Special thanks go to Valerie Thorson, our keyboard artist, who so generously has given us the most beautiful home base imaginable. A debt of gratitude goes to all of our incredibly talented players. To our Music Director, Guy Bordo, I am most grateful for the wisdom, enthusiasm, and inspiration he shares with us all, both on and off the podium.
As one of the characters in a recent and popular film so aptly said, 'Develop your dreams, and you create passion. Develop the dreams of others, and you create Heaven.' For me, and hopefully others, Akron Baroque is a bit of Heaven."
Photograph by Dale Dong