Bravo to first concert of Canton Symphony’s 89th season | Letter
The Repository
Wed, September 30, 2026 at 4:39 AM PDT
Sept. 26 was a red-letter day on our calendar, anticipating the first concert of the Canton Symphony Orchestra's 89th season. The CSO and a full-house audience blended in a rousing performance of our national anthem under the baton of guest conductor Wesley Schulz.
Introductory remarks by Canton Mayor William Sherer and CSO President Rachel Hagemeier stressed the important role our orchestra plays in the multi-cultural vitality of our community, extending far beyond our borders.
Next, the CSO got down to official business under the masterful direction of Maestro Schulz, first of five contenders for the honored position of the Canton Symphony's new Music Director. Schulz directed his attention at once to the orchestra for "Come Sunday," a new work by Omar Thomas. Drawing upon his African American heritage, Thomas has created a two-part jazzy, bluesy Duke Ellington style symphonic recreation of a traditional black worship service. Part one is a soul-searching testimony of faith initiated by a solo sax cadenza, swelling into an extended contemplative response from the orchestra backed up by chords from a Hammond organ. The full CSO ensemble launched enthusiastically into part two, "Shout," with lively hand-clapping accompaniment from the audience.
Austrian-born composer Erich Korngold visited Hollywood in 1934, where he earned international fame thanks to his many significant film scores. But his soul was always in absolute music, evidenced by his passionate and engrossing violin concerto. Guest soloist Rachel Lee Priday took to her instrument with absolute confidence, exploring the extremes of long romantic phrases against fiercely aggressive bravura passages that left the audience breathless.
The concert concluded with Antonin Dvorak's beloved "New World Symphony," for which Schulz summoned all the powers of his magic baton and bewitched the Canton Symphony Orchestra, making the piece his very own.
Generous and enthusiastic applause greeted every piece.
M.J. Albacete, North Canton
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Bravo to first concert of Canton Symphony's 89th season | Letter