Say Hello to the SSO!

The Suburban Symphony Orchestra is one of Cleveland’s premier community orchestras, known for its high caliber musicianship, technical excellence, unique artistic collaborations and innovative concert experiences. Based in Beachwood, Ohio, our blend of music professionals and well-trained community members has been bringing free symphonic music to greater Cleveland since it all began back in good old 1955.

Read the full history lesson here!

casual group photo of orchestra members on stage

Our 80+ members are a cross-section of your community:  we are doctors, lawyers, , teachers, scientists, dog people, cat people, engineers, therapists, social workers, chefs, tailors, students, retirees, star wars fans, star trek fans and of course, 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!

Personnel and Board Members

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 of Canterbury Elementary
Collaboration with the Cleveland Chorale (Gospel Choir)
Full house at Severance for Beethoven's 9th with Western Reserve Chorale and West Shore Chorale
See what our musicians and audiences have to say about SSO
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Sample Rep from the past 5 years:

  • Beethoven- 1, 2,3 (“Eroica”) ,4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9
  • Brahms- 1, 2
  • Bruckner –  4
  • Dawson – Negro Folk Symphony
  • Dvorak- 8, 9 (“New World”)
  • Mendelssohn- 4 (“Italian”)
  • Mozart – 41 (“Jupiter”)
  • Schubert- 9 (“Great”)
  • Tchaikovsky -2,5
  • Dvorak – Serenade for Strings
  • Elgar-  Enigma Variations
  • Faure – Requiem
  • Mussorgsky/Ravel- Pictures at an Exhibition
  • Stookey -The Composer is Dead
  • Williams – Star Wars Suite, Jurassic Park
  • Holst: The Planets
  • Alfven- Swedish Rhapsody
  • Beethoven – Egmont Oveture
  • Borodin – Steppes of Central Asia
  • Faure – Dolly Suite
  • Glinka – Ruslan and Lyudmilla
  • 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
  • Verdi – La forza del destino
  • A variety of Brazilian composers
  • Gospel selections

Photos

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More info

Domenico Boyagian - Say hello to the maestro
SSO Photo Gallery
SSO in Tiktok
Young Soloists Competition 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! 

We are a volunteer community orchestra based in Beachwood, OH. 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. 

We are currently auditioning VIOLIN, CELLO, BASS and TROMBONE on August 16, 2026 (3-6pm)   If this time/date does not work, please still fill out the form below and request an alternate time and we will try to arrange something. Please note that all positions are volunteer/unpaid positions.

TROMBONE: Auditions consist of two contrasting selections of your choice and two orchestral excerpts. (see details in the form)

Strings: Auditions consist of two contrasting selections of your choice (solo or orchestral repertoire).

Other Instruments: We are not currently auditioning other instruments, but you can submit your info to be placed on our sub list or considered for future openings and we’ll be in touch

Sign Up Here

What would our members tell someone interested in joining SSO?

It’s the best amateur orchestra in NE ohio. Rehearsals are very productive and the conductor is very respectful of the players.
SSO Member
cello
SSO concerts are challenging to prepare and performances are worth the hard work. People are super cool.
SSO String Player
violin
It’s fun. It’s better than a stereotypical community orchestra
SSO Member
String Player
We play good music but outside practice is required...we have a level of professionalism that matters
SSO Member
String Player
We're an easygoing, welcoming group of people.... We work hard and hold ourselves to a high standard...and we always laugh along the way.
SSO Member
violin
It's the best non-professional orchestra in town. The people are nice. And the conductor is talented and entertaining/funny
SSO Member
String Player
A great little community to be a part of
SSO Member
String Player
It’s fun. It’s better than a stereotypical community orchestra - SSO String Player
It’s fun. It’s better than a stereotypical community orchestra - SSO String Player
It’s fun. It’s better than a stereotypical community orchestra - SSO String Player

It’s fun. It’s better than a stereotypical community orchestra

- SSO String Player
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It’s the best amateur orchestra in NE ohio. Rehearsals are very productive and the conductor is very respectful of the players.
It’s the best amateur orchestra in NE ohio. Rehearsals are very productive and the conductor is very respectful of the players.

--SSO Member
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