Cleveland Orchestra Honors Martin Luther King Jr. Today

The Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Tito Muñoz, will perform its 33^rd annual concert in celebration of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. The concert will feature the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Chorus (a 125-member volunteer chorus from the greater Cleveland community) and the Central State University Chorus, both prepared by William Henry Caldwell, and Sphinx Competition prizewinner Adé Williams as violin soloist.

At the beginning of the concert, Mayor Frank Jackson, assisted by Cleveland Councilman Kevin Conwell and Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Yvonne Conwell, will present the 2013 MLK Community Service Awards in three categories in recognition of the services and achievements of an adult, a youth, and a business or organization that have positively impacted Cleveland in the spirit of the teachings and example of Dr. King. The free concert (tickets are required) is sold out, and will be broadcast live on WCLV (104.9 FM) and WCPN (90.3 FM). The Cleveland Orchestra's annual MLK concert draws more than 2,000 members of the community to Severance Hall to celebrate the spirit of Dr. King.

Severance Hall will hold its thirteenth annuAl Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Open House today, January 21, 2013, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. The free day of activities and performances celebrates the legacy of Dr. King and will feature performances by local performing arts groups, including the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus as well as the Citizens Leadership Academy Drummers, Spiritual Gifts Gospel Chorus, Rey Cintron Trio presented by the Roberto Ocasio Foundation, and El Sistema@Rainey Symphony. Family activities throughout the afternoon include the "I Have a Dream" Wall where children and adults can post their dreams for our community, the "Picture Yourself at Severance Hall" Photo Activity, and popular DJ Terry Macklin's Sounds of Entertainment.