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Lakeland Civic Orchestra
This 60-member symphony orchestra, formed from Lakeland students and community members and containing both amateur and professional musicians, performs the finest in classical, contemporary, and pops orchestral music for the Lakeland community. The Lakeland Civic Orchestra is led by Dr. Matthew Saunders and concertmaster Sarah Icardi.
The Lakeland Civic Orchestra also sponsors an annual Young Artists Concerto Competition for talented musicians age 18 and under. Winners perform a concerto with the orchestra during the following season, and have included many of the finest young musicians in Northeast Ohio.
Lakeland students and community members are encouraged to audition for the Lakeland Civic Orchestra.
WHO IS ELEGIBLE: All college students and community adults.
WHEN: During the fall and spring semesters, the civic orchestra holds rehearsals every Monday evening from 7:45-9:45 p.m.
WHERE: Rehearsals are typically in the Fletcher Music Room, C-Building, Room C-1078.
REQUIREMENTS: All performers must have sight-reading skills, have had prior ensemble performance experience (at least two years at the high school level), and be able to commit to Monday evening rehearsals and two to three performances during each semester. Most performers must provide their own instruments, and percussionists must provide their own mallets.
CRITERIA: Acceptance into the Lakeland Civic Orchestra is by audition. Please contact Lakeland's Civic Orchestra Director for more information.
INSTRUMENTS: The orchestra welcomes all orchestral instruments including violin, viola, cello, bass, harp, flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and percussion.
The Lakeland Civic Orchestra began in September 1937 as the Lake County Symphony Orchestra Association, founded by. Lorna Nighman, its first director, leading musicians from Lake and Geauga counties. By February 1938, the group had grown to 30 members, and in June 1938, presented its first concert at Painesville Baptist Church. In 1951, the orchestra reorganized and renamed itself the Lake County Symphony Orchestra.
Around 1955, Charles Ruddick organized and began to lead the Willoughby Community Orchestra, a group providing concerts in the parks and other service functions. In 1970, the groups merged to become the Lakeland Civic Orchestra under the aegis of the recently-established Lakeland Community College.
Since then, the Lakeland Civic Orchestra has pursued the dual missions of providing Lake County residents with opportunities to play and hear orchestral music, while fulfilling the performing ensemble requirement for many Lakeland Community College music students. The annual Young Artists Concerto Competition has been an important step in the careers of budding young musicians, with the winners performing with the orchestra as soloists. Additionally, the orchestra has collaborated with choral ensembles, including the Lakeland Civic Chorus, and with the wide range of professional soloists and composers in Northeast Ohio.
For many decades years, the musicians of Lake, Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties have come together to bring orchestral music to our community. They rehearse one weekday evening per week because of their passion for music and love for the act of music making. Join us for the next phase of our history!
Dr. Matthew C. Saunders has taught music from kindergarten to college in styles from madrigal to mariachi, and strives to make beautiful music for and with captivating people. He has climbed mountains, saved someone's life, and watched the moon rise over the prairie. He has loved, lost and loved again; helped friends find salvation, and found it for himself as well; taught genius students, and learned from genius teachers. His dreams are to walk on Mars, hear a grand piano fall into an orchestra pit, make more people laugh than cry, and love his wife Becky passionately and forever. He plays trombone and is always getting better at playing piano, and in the course of a long, love-filled, productive life, he wants to compose the Great American Symphony, ride the rails, hike the trails, read all of the good books, finally watch "The Godfather," and storm the castles in the air. He will never write unlistenable music, stop stargazing or lose money in Vegas. He doesn't call his mother often enough, but he still tries to do a good turn daily. He is always up for a few hands of euchre or a good game of chess, likely winning the former and losing the latter.
Dr. Saunders is professor of music and music department chair at Lakeland Community College, where he teaches courses in music appreciation, popular music, music history and first-year experience, and directs the Lakeland Civic Orchestra. Prior to coming to Lakeland in 2012, he held the position of associate professor of music and director of bands at Oklahoma Panhandle State University from 2007 to 2012. He received degrees in music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and The Ohio State University. Dr. Saunders studied composition with Donald Harris, Thomas Wells, Jan Radzynski and Wes Flinn, and trombone with Joseph Duchi and Tony Chipurn. His 20 years' experience in music education includes teaching band; general music; and music theory in public elementary, middle and high schools, and colleges and universities, in rural, suburban and urban settings in Ohio, Georgia, and Oklahoma.
Dr. Saunders' original compositions have been performed across the country, including performances at national conferences of the National Flute Association, the International Horn Society, the Society of Composers, and the College Music Society. He has presented his research at conferences of the College Music Society, the Society of Composers, the Oklahoma Music Theory Roundtable, and the Aspen Composers Conference. His works for large ensemble have been performed by the McConnell Arts Center Chamber Orchestra (Columbus, Ohio), the Marquette (Michigan) Symphony Orchestra, the Southwest Florida Youth Orchestra, the New Music Guild Festival Orchestra, the University City Symphony Orchestra (Missouri). They have also been performed by the orchestras of Florida Gulf Coast University and Westminster College, and the bands and wind ensembles of The Ohio State University, Kansas State University, West Texas A&M University, Kutztown University (Pennsylvania), Dennison University (Ohio), Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Garden City (Kansas) Community College, and Sinclair Community College (Ohio). Locally, his works have been performed by the Lakeland Civic Orchestra, the Lakeland Civic Band and at Lorain County Community College. He has collaborated on original compositions with members of the Minnesota Orchestra and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, and faculty members from South Dakota State University, University of Minnesota at Morris, Minot State University (North Dakota), Eastern New Mexico State University, New Mexico State University, and Eastern Illinois University. He performs as a trombonist, and was featured soloist in the premiere of his concert piece for trombone and wind ensemble "Homo sapiens trombonensis," and presented the first complete performance of his epic unaccompanied trombone work "Twenty Views of the Trombone" in Atlanta, Georgia, in February 2017, after performances and premieres of portions of the piece in New York City; Norman, Oklahoma; Aspen, Colorado; and Cleveland (at both MOCA Cleveland and for the Cleveland Composers Guild). In Northeast Ohio, Saunder's works have been performed by the Blue Streak Ensemble and the Gruca White Ensemble, the Chamber Music Society of Ohio, the Solaris Wind Quintet, and Oberlin Choral Spectrum. He received the 2007 Ruth Friscoe Prize for composition, was the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association 2011 Commissioned Composer, and is a five-time recipient of the ASCAP Plus Award. He was elected to membership in the Cleveland Composers Guild in 2012 and has served as secretary since 2015. Dr. Saunders' compositions are published by Imagine Music and martiandances.com, and he has written articles for "The Journal of Band Research," "Music Educators Journal," "The Chronicle of Higher Education," and "The Instrumentalist." He is on the web at www.martiandances.com, but the physical Dr. Saunders lives in Willowick, Ohio, with his wife Becky and their children Noah and Melia.
Jazz Festival
The Lakeland Community College Jazz Festival is dedicated to the presentation of educational opportunities for aspiring student jazz musicians of high school and junior high school age. The festival provides an educational forum for student musicians, devotees of the music field, and the public at large through clinics and performances.
This annual event has provided a stage for the performance of all styles of jazz by internationally celebrated artists as well as gifted musicians found in this area of the country.
Jazz is a unique contribution to our culture and artistic heritage. In its 52-year history (2024), the Lakeland Community College Jazz Festival has portrayed those vital qualities of style that made jazz a significant contribution to the world of art and a distinct American form of expression. Future jazz festivals will continue to include depth of educational and entertainment opportunities to enhance the cultural quality of the Lakeland vicinity.
-Carmen Lundy
To provide a learning environment that fosters aesthetic literacy and expressive capability through the cultivation of artistic techniques and skills and the exploration of creative traditions and possibilities.
-Chris Potter
"I've enjoyed being part of the Lakeland jazz festival since observing Len Orcino direct jazz impact in 1978-I was 17. Over the years, I've been a listener, performer, judge and clinician. I'm grateful for all of the experiences with the late Chuck Frank, Bob Brown, Dan McCarthy, Ed Michaels and Dave Sterner. In my view, it's several decades of fine musicianship and exceptional music education, and I'm glad to have played a small role."
-Paul Ferguson, Music Director of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
I had the privilege to be associated with the Lakeland Jazz festival as the director of the Lakeland Jazz Orchestra and as Artistic Director of the Festival. This annual event brought the attention of music students and the community some of the greatest jazz musicians to play the music. Louie Bellson, Phil Woods, Buddy DeFranco and many other Jazz greats graced the LCC Performing Arts Center Stage during my tenure. It was a positive force for the music before me and continues as one of the great events in Northeast Ohio. Once again it was a privilege and a joy to be part of it!
-Ernie Krivda, Cleveland Jazz Legend Award, 2005
"Love it! Lakeland Jazz Festival is a place to catch stellar performances with a high level of education. Lakeland brings that warmth of an interactive jazz community!"
-Evelyn Wright, Tri-C Jazz Legend 2008
Lakeland students and community members are encouraged to participate in festival activities. Whether you are looking to listen to the international artist, the regional band and the Lakeland Jazz Orchestra, or our talented middle and high school jazz ensembles, we hope you enjoy the music and experience.
The 2025 Lakeland Community College Jazz Festival is March 14 & 16.
The festival is on Lakeland's campus in the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center, D-Building.
High school & middle school adjudications.
The Lakeland Civic Jazz Orchestra
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Jazz Impact
Composed of approximately 25 middle and high school students, the Lakeland Jazz Impact is an honors youth jazz ensemble bringing together the finest young jazz musicians in Northeast Ohio, and is one of the only groups of its kind in the area.
Led by Ed Michaels, it performs on campus, at the Lakeland Jazz Festival, and in recent years has appeared regularly at The Bop Stop at the Music Settlement in Ohio City.
Jazz students in grades 8-12 are encouraged to audition for the Lakeland Jazz Impact.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Current middle and high school students, grades 8-12.
WHEN: During the fall and spring semesters, the civic jazz orchestra holds rehearsals every Wednesday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Rehearsals are typically in the Fletcher Music Room, C-Building, Room C-1078.
REQUIREMENTS: All performers must have sight-reading skills, have had prior ensemble performance experience, and be able to commit to Wednesday afternoon rehearsals and two to four performances during the academic year. Brass and woodwind musicians must own their own instruments. Students should be in good academic standing in their high school or middle school, and, when available, participate in their school's music program.
CRITERIA: Acceptance into Lakeland Jazz Impact is by audition. Please contact Lakeland's Jazz Impact Director for more information.
INSTRUMENTS: The jazz impact welcomes all jazz style instruments including alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trombone, trumpet, piano, guitar, bass and drums.
- Tom Lipps, bandleader, keyboardist, and programmer; "Drawn to Life" by Cirque du Soleil and Disney
- Dominick Farinacci, international touring/recording artist; director, Tri-C JazzFest Academy
The Lakeland Jazz Impact had its beginnings in 1969 under the leadership of Bob Delly, the band director of J.R. Williams in Painesville, with the intention of giving high school musicians from the Lake County region an opportunity to play with talented musicians from other area schools. A crowning achievement of the band was performing with the legendary jazz artist Clark Terry at the inaugural Lakeland Jazz Festival.
In the fall of 1974, Delly handed the baton to Len Orcino, the band director at Lake Catholic High School. Under Orcino's direction, the band frequently appeared in concerts and area jazz festivals, including Cuyahoga Community College, Akron University and The Ohio State University. Two big achievements for the band were performing at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival and recording an album – "Impact Live '77."
Following their success at Notre Dame, Chuck Frank, the music professor at Lakeland Community College, invited the Lakeland Jazz Impact to join the community of performing groups at Lakeland. However, due to financial cutbacks, Jazz Impact became dormant for several years through the mid-80s.
In the spring of 1989, three area jazz musicians – Ernie Krivda, Lee Bush and Ed Michaels, were appointed to teach jazz improvisation classes through a grant from the Fine Arts Association. At the conclusion of the classes, Michaels was encouraged by Chuck Frank to write a proposal to Lakeland in an effort to re-establish the Lakeland Jazz Impact. The proposal was accepted, and Ed Michaels became the third director of the band.
Under Michael's direction, the Lakeland Jazz Impact continues on a strong path. The band plays several concerts at Lakeland each year and participates in the annual Lakeland Jazz Festival. A highlight of the year is the Lakeland Jazz Impact's annual concert at the Cleveland Bop Stop. The band has also played at the Tri-C Jazz Festival, recorded for the Lincoln Center Jazz Competition, and performed at various area high schools. The band's alumni include an impressive list of musicians who have established careers in music education and performance, along with music composition and arranging.
Over the years, Edward G. Michaels has established himself as a strong voice in the field of music education and jazz saxophone. He is well-known for his leadership in directing the annual Lakeland Community College Jazz Festival (1999-2008); the Lakeland Summer Jazz Camp; and Lakeland's all-star high school jazz ensemble, and Lakeland's Jazz Impact.
Michaels earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Duquesne University, in his native town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and a Master of Music from Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois, where he studied saxophone with the legendary Dr. Fred Hemke. He studied improvisation with Phil Rizzo, a clinician for the Stan Kenton Jazz Orchestra.
As a tenor saxophonist, Michaels is often heard performing with the top musicians of Northeast Ohio, among them, some of his former students. He has recorded a CD as leader, entitled "Going Beyond" on the Nice Jazz Label. The list of musicians with whom he has performed include Phil Woods, Donald Byrd, Pacquito D'Rivera, Bobby Sanabria and Clarence Clemons. His quartet has played extended engagements at the Century Room of Cleveland's prestigious Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the Grille Room of downtown Cleveland's Embassy Suites Hotel, Cleveland's Fat Fish Blue, and Club Isabella. Whatever the venue, he feels a strong commitment to promoting jazz and American music; and this can especially be seen in his love for both teaching and playing.
Michaels is also a full-time faculty member of the Willoughby-Eastlake School District where he teaches instrumental music, focusing especially on the district‘s beginning band program. Among his latest accomplishments in music education was receiving an honorarium and publication from the Cleveland Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for his music appreciation lesson plan, entitled "Timbre: Identifying the Tone Color of the Saxophone Using Pop/Rock Music Examples." He was also instrumental in helping his school district receive a grant from the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, which provided new percussion instruments for his Willowick Middle School students.