Local Orchestra offers musical secrets

Our topic today may be the best kept secret in Sylvania. It’s a community-based symphony orchestra with more than 50 players—performing selections ranging from classical music to film scores and pop favorites. Concerts are held regularly in accessible local venues, everyone is welcome, and … admission is free.
Known as the Sylvania Community Orchestra, it performs three concerts each year in the Franciscan Center on the Lourdes Campus, as well as an outdoor summer concert as part of the Olander Park music series.
The orchestra appears next at 4 pm on Sunday, Nov. 8, in the Franciscan Center. As noted, both admission and parking are free. The program has a “something to dance to” theme that includes three parts of a symphonic dance suite by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, a Strauss waltz, an African dance suite, and a new piece called “Rhythm Dances.”
“We have a full orchestra and play for a community audience, so we look for pieces that are fun and exciting—yet also offer a full orchestra instrumentation,” explained conductor Ron Koch. “We will be playing some really cool music.”
Maestro Koch came on as conductor and music director of the orchestra in 2020. He previously was the band director at Bedford High School for 25 years. He also plays French horn in the Perrysburg Symphony. Koch maintains a long tradition of accepting virtually any musician into the orchestra who wants to play on a “see how you fit” basis.
The Sylvania Community Orchestra (SCO) has existed in its current form since 2005 when the highly-regarded Jewish Community Center orchestra came under the auspices of the Sylvania Community Arts Commission. The move established a greater presence and stronger financial base for the orchestra, explained current president of the SCO, Jim Gosman.
“Almost overnight a new Sylvania orchestra emerged. It appointed an orchestra manager (who was not a playing member), hired a UT professor to conduct, and it has become as self-supporting as an orchestra can be … which is something that we are proud of.”
A retired orthopedic surgeon who brings a business sense to the volunteer job, Gosman was a player in the JCC orchestra beginning in high school. He still plays principle oboe in the current orchestra.
Today, the orchestra remains affiliated with Sylvania Arts, the non-profit organization that also supports the downtown Red Bird Fine Arts District, our youth theatre company, Friday art walks, and various public art installations around town. It also provides financial support to the orchestra, according to Gosman.
Sylvania resident Ann Bauer likely holds the longevity award for continuous service in the Sylvania orchestra. She was quick to tell me about Dr. Gosman’s longtime participation, mentioned cello player Don Sell as someone who “has been here a very long time,” and pointed out a mother-daughter duo who currently play together.
But our conversation quickly time-travelled back to young Ann beginning violin lessons at age 8 at Fulton elementary school in Toledo, playing in the orchestra at (long-shuttered) DeVilbiss High School under legendary teacher Ken Holland, and continuing her studies with the Toledo Youth and University of Toledo orchestras.
“After college I still wanted to stay connected to music and keep playing. I was a member of the Jewish Community Center and was introduced to the JCC orchestra. Now, (with the JCC and Sylvania Community orchestras combined) I’ve been playing second violin here for more than 50 years,” she told me. “Musicians stay with it because playing is good for them emotionally and mentally, for sure. People just love to play. They think highly of Ron and love the music. For me, it provides the ability to work with other musicians, and it’s such a rewarding experience.”
Ann concludes, “I think more people from our community would love the orchestra … we have popular music as well as classical … and it’s free. If they enjoy classical music, they would love our concerts.”
I’m certain those of us who come out and see Ann and her Sylvania Community Orchestra colleagues play in November will find it just as rewarding as she does.

Longtime Sylvania resident Mark Luetke has served on city council, the board of education, and numerous foundation and community boards.