TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - For so many people, the Toledo Symphony's "Music under the Stars" has been a summertime tradition in the Glass City. The program is making a comeback after being canceled in past years due to a lack of funding.
After a year of hiatus, the free concert series returns Sundays at 7:30 p.m. starting July 8 and runs through Aug. 12. Seating at the Toledo Zoo's Amphitheatre is first come first served.
For more than 60 years, the Toledo Symphony's concert band, under the direction of Sam Szor, has provided the free family entertainment.
"Family tradition. There are people who have come to Music under the Stars decades ago. They came as young people, then they came with their children, now they're coming with their grandchildren," said Kathleen Carroll, Toledo Symphony President and CEO.
Unlike past years, the band will be under new leadership to honor the legacy of Szor.
"The series will have a distinctly different look and feel, as each of the six concerts will feature a different conductor. Musical leadership from the faculties of the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, will take the podium in a unique twist on concert presentation," said Keith McWatters, with the Toledo Symphony.
TARTA will be running shuttles for the concert series at six different locations for $1 per person each way.
Shuttle locations include:
- Sylvania - Centennial Terrace main parking lot
- Maumee - St. Luke's Hospital located at 5901 Monclova Road
- Perrysburg - River Place Shopping Center at the stop sign near Walt Churchill's Market
- Toledo - Miracle Mile Shopping Center near the shelter
- Toledo - Westgate Sears west of Sears, near the shelter on Service Drive
- Waterville - Kroger located at 8730 Waterville Swanton Road
Thanks to sponsors, including Mercy, The Andersons, The Toledo Community Foundation, Huntington Bank, Taylor Cadillac and the Toledo Zoo, Music under the Stars will continue to be a summertime tradition.
"Everyone loves music. We all love music. That's why Mercy felt it was so important to support Music under the Stars," said Andrea Price, Mercy President and CEO.
