The Snowbelt Symphony Orchestra delights audiences throughout Lake and Geauga counties
By Mary Malik
As a high schooler in Geauga County, Greg Hillis had a goal. He wanted to someday conduct the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra. Today, Greg has reached that goal—more or less.
“I am conducting an orchestra that’s near Cleveland,” smiles Greg, who is executive director of the Snowbelt Musical Arts Association and conductor of its new Snowbelt Symphony Orchestra. “As a professional musician, teacher and lover of music and the musical arts, this is a dream come true for me personally and professionally.”
Greg Hillis started the Snowbelt Musical Arts Association in 2017 with the vision of creating an opportunity for people of Lake and Geauga counties, the snowbelt region, to listen to and participate in ensemble music groups. Living in Chardon his entire life, Greg has always felt these two Northeastern Ohio counties have been somewhat of a musical desert in terms of live performances. As an accomplished chamber musician himself, Greg performs with theater groups, quintets, orchestras, bands and ensembles all over the region. His goal with this organization is to provide more ensemble opportunities for musicians to participate in and audiences to enjoy a little closer to home.
“This is the first professional orchestra in Lake and Geauga counties,” says Greg. “We provide opportunities for people of all ages to participate as performers and audience members. The ensembles allow area musicians to expand and develop their skills, express themselves, and share their love of music with the community.”
The Snowbelt Musical Arts music groups consist of the Lake Effect Concert Band ensemble, the Blizzard Youth Winds ensemble, rehearsing now for their concert on Friday, February 4, and the Polar Vortex jazz ensemble, all of which perform several times a year at various indoor and outdoor venues in Lake and Geauga counties.
“People are excited about having these musical opportunities in their own neighborhood,” says Greg. “The ensembles are very community based and invite musicians of all ages to participate. There are no auditions and members range in age from early teens to musicians in their 80s. It’s a great mix of really nice people who are having a great time sharing their talents.”
That’s the thing about music. It’s something you can participate in at any age. In fact, you often get better as you get older.
“Our young people love learning from the older members of our groups,” says Greg. “Music is something you can do for your entire life, and our older members make everyone else better. They all keep up with and learn from each other. It’s a unique experience for everyone involved.”
Greg says that when he started the Snowbelt Musical Arts Association, forming an orchestra was a long-term goal. Well, that goal only took four short years to reach and Saturday, March 12 marks the very first of two performance of the Snowbelt Symphony Orchestra.
“Both performances will take place at the New Promise Church in Kirtland,” says Greg. “We welcome everyone’s participation as audience members and also sponsors. We appreciate the support we’ve received and it’s an affirmation of what we know is true…that we are filling a live music void in this community, and we couldn’t be prouder of that.”
For more information about Snowbelt Musical Arts Association, ensembles and orchestra, tickets and sponsorship, visit SnowbeltMusical.org or email Greg Hillis directly at info@snowbeltmusic.org.