Say Hello to the SSO!
The Suburban Symphony is one of Cleveland’s top-shelf community orchestras. Based in Beachwood, OH, we’ve been bringing free symphonic music to greater Cleveland since it all began, way back in good old 1955.
Read the full history lesson here!
Our 70+ members are a cross-section of your community: we are doctors, lawyers, dentists, teachers, scientists, dog people, cat people, engineers, therapists, social workers, chefs, tailors, students, retirees, star wars fans, star trek fans and music professionals. We own a lot of black clothing and we never get to see Jeopardy on Wednesday nights.
We are your neighbors, your friends, your family. But most of all, we are hard-working, dedicated and have passion for music that we can’t wait to share with you!
Get to know the SSO!
Watch a fun tiktok video about our members’ day jobs or play the slideshow below to see what the hacker dog has learned about our members and their secrets!
Amazing Music- Free for Everyone!
Our mission is to provide a welcoming environment for community musicians to perform free concerts of the world’s greatest music for our community. Experience the magic at five free Sunday afternoon concerts per season, and an evening outdoor summer concert.
What will you hear?
Diverse innovative programming, with something for everyone.
The classics and crowd-pleasers: Masterworks by Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler never go out of style. You know them, you love them… and so do we.
Lesser-known gems: Keep it fresh! Come for the classics and go home with a new favorite. We handpick our pieces with our audiences in mind.
Community collaborations: Visual Artists, Choral Groups – Epic things happen when community arts groups team up.
Exceptional soloists: Renowned artists, rising local talent and Young Soloist competition winners take our concerts to the next level.
Family concerts: Casual, fun, interactive programming – often with a twist. Great for seat squirmers…. and also for kids.
Collaboration with Student Artists from Canterbury Elementary
Sample Rep from the past 5 years:
- Beethoven- 1, 2,3 (“Eroica”) ,4, 5, 6, 7,8
- Brahms- 1, 2
- Bruckner – 4
- Dawson – Negro Folk Symphony
- Dvorak- 8, 9 (“New World”)
- Mendelssohn- 4 (“Italian”)
- Mozart – 41 (“Jupiter”)
- Schubert- 9 (“Great”)
- Elgar- Enigma Variations
- Faure – Requiem
- Mussorgsky/Ravel- Pictures at an Exhibition
- Stookey -The Composer is Dead
- Williams – Star Wars Suite, Jurassic Park
- Alfven- Swedish Rhapsody
- Beethoven – Egmont Oveture
- Borodin – Steppes of Central Asia
- Faure – Dolly Suite
- Greenman -Klezmer Concert Suite for solo violin
- Ravel-Mother Goose Suite
- Respighi-Belfagor Overture , Adoration of the Magi (Trittico botticelliano)
- Rossini Overtures -William Tell, Barber of Seville, L’Italiana in Algeri, Cenerentola
- Schubert- Rosamunde
- A variety of Brazilian composers
- Gospel selections
Photos
More info
Interested in Joining the Orchestra?
If you’re reading this, you must have some talent! If so, we’d love to hear from you! New members are accepted throughout the season, so reach out any time!
Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings 7:30-10:00 pm at Beachwood High School late August through May. We perform five concerts per year on Sunday afternoons, with an outdoor summer concert. This season, our 70th anniversary concert will be at Severance!
Auditions are open to all strings with prior orchestral experience. Fill out the form linked below and someone will contact you about auditions.
Auditions consist of two contrasting selections of your choice.
(We do not have current openings in our wind/brass sections, but you can submit your info to be placed on our sub list)