the onondaga civic symphony orchestra

The Onondaga Civic Symphony Orchestra is a diverse group of amateur and professional musicians devoted to the performance of symphonic music. It was organized in 1963 under the Syracuse Adult Education Program. Later, it operated under the sponsorship of the North Syracuse Rotary Club, meeting first at Gillette Road Middle School, then at Liverpool High School. Weekly rehearsals are presently held on Monday evenings during the school year at locations in the Onondaga County as listed on the Calendar page and described on the Venues page of this website.

Annual recruiting is initiated each fall, although qualified new members are sought to fill openings that occur throughout the year. Interested musicians should contact our Music Director shown below about the requirements for membership. The orchestra is supported by membership dues, fundraisers and contributions from the community.

The orchestra presents at least four concerts each year. The repertoire consists of classical works (symphonies, concertos, overtures), popular music, light classics, and an occasional choral work.

Music Director

Erik Kibelsbeck continues to guide the orchestra in his ninth year as Music Director. Erik is music director/organist at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Ithaca, and conducted the Ithaca College Trombone Troupe for fifteen semesters. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, and completed his master's degree in conducting at Ithaca College. Erik is coordinator of facilities and publicity for the Ithaca College School of Music. He can be contacted at ekibelsbeck@ithaca.edu.

UPCOMING SEASON

Sunday, November 15 3:00 Atonement Lutheran Church and
Monday, November 16 7:30 at Tully High School
In November we'll welcome soloist Ken Grant to perform the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with us on our Syracuse concert, and Nina Elhassan to perform it on the Tully concert. Ken Grant is one of the clarinet professors at Eastman, and has been principal in the Rochester Philharmonic for many years. He and his daughter Lindsey Grant Burdick, a soprano, will join together for a Schubert's "Shepherd on the Rock," arranged by our cellist Victor Mallia. Nina Elhasson is a current Eastman student who lived in Tully for 8 years and went to West Genesee High School. The second half of the program will feature Beethoven's Fourth Symphony, our seventh Beethoven symphony in the last seven years.

Sunday, February 7 2:00 Setnor Auditorium, Syracuse University
In February we'll perform at Setnor Auditorium with SU piano professor Fred Karpoff as soloist on Tchaikovsky's first piano concerto. Mendelssohn's "Scottish" Symphony will complete the program. After a fairly classical start to the season in November, we'll warm the winter with two masterworks from the romantic era.

Friday, April 16, 8:00, Grace Christian Fellowship, 1250 Fisher Ave., Cortland and
Sunday, April 18 3:00 Most Holy Rosary Church, Roberts Ave., Syracuse
In April, we'll join with the Syracuse Chorale and the Masters Touch Chorale, Warren Ottey, musical director, to perform Haydn's oratorio "The Creation." You won't want to miss Haydn's amazing depiction of the creation of the universe, and the joyful song that bursts forth. All tickets are $12 from any participating organization or at the door.

Friday, June 11 8:00 Pops at Driver's Village, Cicero
Time Travel: Pops through the Ages
Popular music from Handel through big bands, Broadway, and film.

 

Upcoming Concert

Friday, June 11, 2010 8:00 PM
The Atrium at Driver's Village
5885 E. Circle Drive, Cicero, NY

Time Travel: "Pops through the Ages"
Popular music from Handel through big bands, Broadway and film