The Clermont Philharmonic Orchestra plays in Miami Township in 2013.

The Clermont Philharmonic Orchestra plays in Miami Township in 2013.
By Kelly Doran
Editor

The Clermont Philharmonic Orchestra’s summer concert season will end after concerts on August 22 and 23.

“It’s gone well,” said Katie Turning, the orchestra’s secretary. The orchestra really enjoys playing outdoor concerts because parents can bring their children and let them play while relaxing and listening to the music.

The orchestra usually plays popular music, such as show tunes and patriotic pieces, during the summer concerts, Turning said.

The orchestra has done three concerts so far this summer: one with students in April, one sponsored by the orchestra featuring the Cincinnati Brass Band and one in Union Township.

However, the orchestra used to play about 10 concerts a summer, but a lack of funding has made it harder for governments and businesses to sponsor a concert, Turning said. The orchestra concerts are usually free.

The concert on August 15 in Union Township had almost 350 people, Turning said. The members of the orchestra enjoy playing in the county because many of them live here and their family and friends come to see them play.

Turning hopes there will be a good turnout at the concerts over the weekend. One concert is on Main Street in the village of Batavia at 7 p.m. on August 22 and the other is at the Miami Township Performance Pavilion at 6 p.m. on August 23.

The orchestra has been going to Miami Township for about 15 years, but to Batavia off and on. The village and the Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau are sponsoring the Batavia event. The Miami Township Recreation Department is sponsoring the Miami Township event.

“It’s something we hope to make an annual event,” Batavia Village Mayor John Thebout said of the event.

Having the orchestra come is a nice time to gather families and neighbors together for great music, Thebout said.

The orchestra also came last year for the village’s bicentennial event, said Dennis Nichols, village administrator.

“We were just delighted to have them come back again,” he said.

The orchestra is funded by sponsorships, grants, donations and fundraisers, Turning said.

This year, Clermont Philharmonic Orchestra will have a fundraising event, “Rhapsody in Blue,” on November 14 at 3 p.m. in Krueger Auditorium at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College featuring Michael Chertock on piano.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the event. Contact Dana Park at 513-558-9964 or dana.parker@uc.edu for more information.