Topilow Conducts Dvorak - Canceled

Due to recent events from the coronavirus, our April 5 concert will be CANCELED.

Embrace your inner Czech with Dvorak’s energetic and tuneful 8th Symphony conducted by Maestro Carl Topilow, Music Director of The Cleveland Pops. This concert also features Cleveland Institute of Music Violinist James Thompson performing Bruch’s popular violin concerto.

Learn more about us: Suburban Symphony Orchestra

Suburban Symphony Orchestra occupies a unique position in the rich musical community in Northeast Ohio. In a city alive with music making, Suburban bridges the gap between the area’s renowned professional organizations and its many volunteer ensembles. The orchestra, based at Beachwood High School, has built a solid community following over the past 65 years, presenting five free concerts throughout the season.

Guest Conductor Carl Topilow, is in his 24th year as founding conductor of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.  He is also music director of the National Repertory Orchestra, (a summer music festival based in Breckenridge, CO), and the Firelands Symphony Orchestra in Sandusky (OH).  In 2018, he was named Faculty Emeritus at Cleveland Institute of Music, after serving as the CIM’s conductor for 37 years.

A frequent guest conductor both in the USA and abroad, Topilow has appeared as guest conductor for more than 120 orchestras in 37 states and 12 foreign countries.

Topilow has assisted in the training of talented musicians and conductors for positions in orchestras in the United States and internationally and has supplied numerous young musicians the opportunity to perform as both orchestra members and soloists.  His manner of presenting the music through musical illustrations and guides has enhanced the concert experience for audience members.

In addition to his work as conductor, Topilow continues to perform as clarinetist with orchestra as well as with piano in informal recitals.

Violinist James Thompson is forging a promising career as a versatile chamber musician, soloist, and music educator. He is currently an Artist Diploma candidate at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Jaime Laredo, having studied previously with William Preucil and Paul Kantor.
Mr. Thompson regularly performs for top-tier chamber music festivals around the country, including Music@Menlo, the Perlman Music Program, and the Taos School of Music. He has collaborated in concert with a multitude of artists across the country including David Finckel, Soovin Kim, Peter Salaff, Roger Tapping, and a variety of musicians from both the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Institute of Music.
In 2014, Mr. Thompson was selected to solo with the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall as part of the ensemble’s education series. He has appeared as a soloist with numerous local orchestras including the CIM orchestra, the Blue Water Chamber Orchestra, the Cleveland Pops, and the Cleveland Philharmonic. Mr. Thompson was invited to perform in Budapest as part of the 1st Bartok World Competition and in Sendai for the 7th Sendai International Violin Competition.