Upcoming Performances
November 8: Premiere of Lakeland Alma Mater Arrangement
8-4-2026: To help celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Lakeland Community College, the Lakeland Civic Orchestra will begin each concert of the 2026-2027 season with my new arrangement the College's alma mater, "The Soul of Lakeland." This will also serve as the theme for the Community Variations project premiering in April 2027. The November 8 concert will also include Marie A. Douglas' Big City Lights, Edward Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole with violinist Marina Han, and conclude with Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. Tickets are $10 (general), $8 (veterans and seniors), $7 (Lakeland alumni), and $2 (students).
More information here.
More information here.
December 7: Premiere of Christmas Carol Arrangements in Painesville
8-4-2026: Continuing the collaboration between me, Nina Boyce, and our two ensembles, the Lakeland Civic Orchestra and the Lake Youth Chorus, the combined groups will premiere my arrangements of the traditional carols Silent Night, Fum, Fum, Fum! and I Saw Three Ships on a concert of the Painesville United Methodist Church Concert Series at 7:30pm. Admission is free.
More information here.
More information here.
Updates
1-30-2026: I've posted the recording of the Lakeland Civic Orchestra's premiere of my symphony, and also the talk that I gave during the week prior. Check out my YouTube channel for these and other videos!
8-4-2026: For the past two years, I've been giving pre-concert talks for Lakeland Civic Orchestra concerts at the various branches of the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library here in Lake County, Ohio, USA, and I've scheduled a third season of these. Come hear about the concert for the following Sunday, with all in attendance receiving a free ticket! Registration is requested but not required.
- Thursday, November 5, 6:30pm (for concert on Sunday, November 8, 4:00pm): Willowick Public Library
- Thursday, March 4, 6:30pm (for concert on Sunday, March 7, 4:00pm): Willoughby Hills Public Library
- Wednesday, April 21, 6:30pm (for concert on Sunday, April 25, 4:00pm): Willoughby Public Library
New Works
8-4-2026: Hot off the desk is a new duet for cellos, Bolero, inspired by Ravel, Villa-Lobos, and Bach. I'm hoping for a premiere this fall, so watch this space!
1-30-2026: A somewhat unexpected project this fall and winter has been a collaboration with flutist Erin Helgeson Torres on a new concerto for flute and strings. The result, I become what we become when we are becoming is an exciting 12-minute work that I hope we can realize in the next year or so!
UPDATE 8-4-2026: Erin and I are still looking for a premiere opportunity, but we both had a crazy busy spring, so perhaps we can get back on it this fall!
1-30-2026: A somewhat unexpected project this fall and winter has been a collaboration with flutist Erin Helgeson Torres on a new concerto for flute and strings. The result, I become what we become when we are becoming is an exciting 12-minute work that I hope we can realize in the next year or so!
UPDATE 8-4-2026: Erin and I are still looking for a premiere opportunity, but we both had a crazy busy spring, so perhaps we can get back on it this fall!
On the horizon...
8-4-2026: My plans for fall and winter composing are starting to solidify. I'm in discussion with a local high school to compose a work for their concert band, and I'm very excited about this prospect. I'm also hoping to write the third entry in my Meditations series, this time for trombone and piano, and in an homage to my undergraduate trombone teacher from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and former principal trombonist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Tony Chipurn, who passed away this summer. I've also discussed a glissando headjoint work with previous collaborator Tammy Evans, and an art song project with longtime local artistic partner Heidi Skok.
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(c) 2014-2026 by Matthew C. Saunders
(c) 2014-2026 by Matthew C. Saunders
