Kent State University and the Musical Arts Association (governing body of The Cleveland Orchestra) have been long time institutional partners since their mutual efforts to create and manage one of the country’s finest summer performing arts centers, Blossom Music Center, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

This partnership has helped create a truly unique working relationship between one of the premier orchestral ensembles in the world and a public university. It has served as a model for similar community institutional collaborations.

Through this partnership, the Kent/Blossom Music summer professional training program is held in conjunction with The Cleveland Orchestra’s summer season at Blossom. The partnership also involves Porthouse Theatre, as well as the Eels Art Gallery.

In addition to the Kent/Blossom summer programs, the partnership provides unique educational and artistic opportunities during the academic year to be utilized by Kent State University and the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music.  Some of the opportunities include access for students to attend Cleveland Orchestra concerts and select rehearsals, administrative internships with the Orchestra, University Choruses performing in the annual TCO Christmas Concerts, Cleveland Orchestra performances on the KSU campus, access to Severance Hall for KSU musical events and multiple masterclass opportunities provided by Orchestra musicians at the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music.  Since 1999 there have been 11 free public instrumental masterclasses on campus, organized through the Kent/Blossom Music office, serving some 250 participants.

Jerome LaCorte | Program Director | Phone: 330.672.2613 | E-mail: kbm@kent.edu