Lakeside Symphony Orchestra

The Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, established in 1963, is one of Lakeside's most cherished traditions, bringing classic musical renditions to the Chautauqua community. The symphony performs eight concerts during its month-long residency in Lakeside. Concerts begin at 8:15 pm in Hoover Auditorium and are conducted by Music Director, Robert Cronquist.

2012 Summer Program Overview

Aug 1 / "Light Classics" Concert - Opening Night & Reception, in memory of Betty Harmelink from her family
Aug 4 / Concert with Pointe of Departure Ballet, Iva M. Clark Memorial Concert
Aug 7 / Concert with Violinist Michael Ferri
Aug 10 / "Sounds of the Cinema" Concert
Aug 15 / Concert, sponsored by Key Private Bank
Aug 18 / Lakeside Symphony Choral Festival Program
Aug 21 / Concert with Pianist Alison Jin
Aug 24 / Closing Concert with Violinist Jinjoo Cho

Music Director

This year marks the 42nd year for Music Director, Robert Cronquist. During his years as Music Director, Cronquist has inspired outstanding artists to appear with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra including Metroplitan Opera stars: Jerome Hines, Frank Guarrera and Patrice Munsel; well-known Cleveland artists: Eunice Podis, Jean Geis, Clive Lythgoe and Joela Jones; and international celebrities: "Doc" Severinsen, Ferrante and Teicher, Florian ZaBach, Carlos Montoya and George Shearing.

Before becoming the Music Director of the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, Cronquist conducted the Mansfield Symphony for 22 years. During his tenure in Mansfield he brought many world famous artists to perform with the symphony.

In addition to conducting the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, Cronquist completed his 19th season conducting the historic Cleveland Women's Orchestra, the longest continuously performing women's orchestra in the country. During his 19 years as their Music Director, he has expanded the orchestra's concert season and established an endowment to ensure the future of this unique ensemble.

Symphony Pre-Concert Talks

Dr. Jay Mann will present several Symphony Pre-Concert Talks during the 2012 Chautauqua summer season. These seminars will focus on preparing listeners to understand and enjoy the repertoire which the symphony will perform on that evening. Emphasis will be placed on historical settings of work, style analysis of the music and text when used, and the composers' intentions for writing the music. Copeland Oaks graciously supports Lakeside Chautauqua's Lakeside Symphony Pre-Concert Talks.

Dr. Jay Mann is Professor Emeritus of Music at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. Dr. Mann earned his Masters in Music from Indiana University and Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Cincinnati.

Lakeside Symphony Candlelight Showcase

The Lakeside Symphony Candlelight Showcase serves as the primary fundraiser for the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra. this unique event invites patrons into featured Lakeside cottages, lit by a path of luminaries, to hear performances of small ensembles comprised of symphony musicians. This year's Symphony Candlelight Showcase will take place from 8-10 pm Monday, August 13. Tickets are on sale at the Hoover Auditorium Box Office.

In order to sustain the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra concert tradition, the Lakeside Association invests more than $100,000 annually to hire and house musicians and their families during the Chautauqua summer season. To sponsor the Lakeside Symphony Candlelight Showcase in 2012, please contact the Advancement Office at 419.798.5396 or advancement@lakesideohio.com.