Reaching Heights :


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The Heights/Severance Connection • Cleveland Heights’ connection to the Cleveland Orchestra goes back over 80 years. The orchestra’s very first concert, in 1918, was a benefit for St. Ann’s Church. It featured pastor Rev. John M. Powers, an Irish tenor, as soloist. • Adella Prentiss Hughes, founder of the Orchestra and its first general manager, lived at 2400 Kenilworth Drive, Cleveland Heights. • John Long Severance was the major donor for Severance Hall. He had a magnificent estate at the intersection of Mayfield and South Taylor (current location of Severance Town Center). The estate, known as “Longwood,” was 165 acres and had an English manor house. His cousin, Julia Severance Millikin, had her estate nearby (where the Cleveland Heights fire station and St. Louis School are now). • Mr. Severance married Elizabeth Huntington DeWitt. Fenn College, which became Cleveland State, was named for her stepfather, Sereno Fenn. Elizabeth’s gorgeous wedding gown may have been the model for Severance Hall’s unique ceiling. • Severance believed that music and art belong to everyone. The Orchestra’s first concert in the Hall, in 1931, was broadcast live over radio to tens of thousands of listeners. The next day, the Cleveland Press wrote, “We believe that Mr. Severance intended to build a temple to music, and not a temple to wealth; and we believe it is his intention that all music lovers should be welcome here.” Our Musical Community • Over the years, many Cleveland Orchestra musicians have made their homes in the Heights. In fact, 44 current members – more than 40% of the Orchestra – live here. • Most of the members of the Cleveland Institute of Music faculty make their homes in Cleveland Heights and University Heights. • The Suburban Symphony was founded by Robert Weiskopf, Heights High class of ’37. The Heights Chamber Orchestra was founded by former Heights High music director Robert Bergantino. Many other music organizations or performing groups including the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, Apollo’s Fire, and the Cleveland Chamber Music Society are based in our community and led by our residents. • Music and musicians are part of community life. Hundreds of our residents play or sing: folk music, rock music, jazz, big band, chamber music, gospel music, classical music, opera, the blues, hip-hop, and pops. We have music stores, music schools, instrument repair shops and many music venues, including Cain Park.	Reaching Musical Heights Entertains, Electrifies, Transforms and Unites! Reaching Musical Heights, a first-of-its-kind concert held on March 24, 2003 at Severance Hall, electrified an appreciative sell-out crowd of parents and friends, community leaders, alumni, musicians, music fans, senior citizens, children and public school friends. The performances by more than 650 students in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school district music program entertained and demonstrated the talents of these budding musicians and the program’s tradition of excellence. The concert motivated the students, united the music faculty, and galvanized the community. Reaching Heights organized the evening in partnership with district music teachers. The evening was also a financial success generating $33,000 for Reaching Heights initiatives to support music and excellence in the Heights schools. “I am so proud to be part of this community,” exclaimed Reginald Evans, reflecting on the evening. “It was inspiring to see our children and to be together as a community in support of them. This is a very special place to live.” Evans, a Reaching Heights trustee, real estate appraiser and Noble parent was among 2,000 people who filled the world class concert hall. The excitement began with the opening greetings offered by Thomas Morris, Executive director of Severance Hall and a Cleveland Heights resident. Mr. Morris expressed pride in having his school district be the first district to attempt an event of this kind. He described the many connections between Severance Hall and the Heights community that made it logical for us to be the pioneers. His comments were met with thunderous applause which continued throughout the evening. “These are times in which the power of beautiful music is more essential than ever. And what could be more powerful and meaningful than great music performed by eager young musicians for their own community in one of the most magnificent acoustical and architectural environments ever created,” said Mr. Morris. He was right. Reaching Musical Heights turned out to be a powerful source of connection, pride and unity! A warm welcome and call for celebration by Superintendent Carlton Moody, words of gratitude to the volunteers and district staff who made the concert possible delivered by Reaching Heights President Jeffrey Bendix and Executive Director Susie Kaeser, and a thoughtful narrative delivered by emcee Kim Wheeler added to the excitement. Standing ovations were frequent as the audience was moved by the rich mix of music performed by talented elementary, middle school and high school ensembles. The elementary and middle school honor choruses, the middle school honor band, and a Brass Choir that included high school band members and professional musicians were created for the event. Additional performances by Heights High’s Jazz Band, Gospel Choir, Symphony, Singers and A Cappella Choir rounded out the ensembles that showed the depth and breadth of music offerings and talents in the Heights schools. “It was such a fulfilling project. The chance to work together with all the music teachers and the pride in seeing our children shine at Severance Hall was wonderful,” observed elementary school music teacher Tamar Gray, who co-directed the concert with Mark George. Both directors are Reaching Heights trustees. After two and a half hours of music the mesmerized audience didn’t want the magic to end. The appreciative crowd was transformed by a united community gathered in a beautiful concert hall filled with inspiring music and talented children and teachers. The audience left the concert filled with pride and delight which continued long after the concert ended. Concert Sponsors Reaching Heights offers a round of applause to the generous individual, foundation and corporate sponsors who made it possible to hold an all-district student concert at Severance Hall while keeping tickets affordable. Composers - $3,000 The Kulas Foundation The Wolpert Fund of the Cleveland Foundation Concert Masters - $1,000 Drs. Christopher Brandt and Beth Sersig Charter One Bank The Katherine and Lee Chilcote Foundation Judson Retirement Community Ohio Permanente Medical Group, Inc. Parker Hannifin First Chair - $500 + Dominion East Ohio Mansour, Gavin, Gerlack & Manos Medical Mutual National City Roetzel & Andress Patrons - $250 Communication Workers of America Nordson Corporation
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The Heights/Severance Connection

Reaching Musical Heights Entertains, Electrifies, Transforms and Unites!

Concert Sponsors