Ohio State students attended the Columbus Symphony Orchestra's last classical concert of the season May 10th. For financial reasons, CSO has canceled its summer concerts which has brought disappointment to Matthew Brahms and Julianne Akins, music majors at OSU.
Not only did OSU students support the city's orchestra, but one of the founders of Symphony Strong, Matthew Brahms, is related to the famous composer, Johannes Brahms, the latter being his great-great-great uncle.
"As closely related to Brahms as you can get," Brahms said.
"Matt Brahms and I came into contact with the grassroots organization Symphony Strong to utilize the power of students showing support for the Columbus Symphony," Akins said.
The two worked with the College of the Arts and Sciences, the College of the Arts, and the School of Music to bring 150 OSU students and faculty to the concert.
"We'd like to open this up campus-wide," said Brahms on students supporting CSO.
The students who attended the event received two wristbands that say "symphony strong."
They were able to enjoy the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and had the opportunity to speak with the musicians at After Five, a bar in the Brewery District, after the performance.
Michael Wiley, owner of After Five, is a former OSU football player who heard about the group's support for CSO.
"I am so tormented by the current situation of the symphony because the quality of the orchestra is incredible and their passion immense," Akins said. "I refuse to sit and watch board members, who I seldom or never seen attend a concert in my entire life, give up on an irreplacable group of musicians."
Both Brahms and Akins said they wish to strengthen the relationship between OSU music students and CSO.
"The experience, it touches your soul and it is addicting," Brahms said of the importance of music.
"There is a level of depth in music that can change a person's life if they know how to look for it," Akins said.
To learn more about Symphony Strong, visit their Web site at
symphonystrong.com.
Sarah Minor can be reached at minor.88@osu.edu.
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