Thelma Smith Memorial Concert on June 20
Thelma Smith Memorial Concert presented by Way Public Library
Nationally known violinist Sarah Connelly will return to her Perrysburg roots for a special performance in memory of the late Thelma Smith. The Thelma Smith Memorial Concert will take place at Way Public Library, 101 E. Indiana Avenue on June 20 at 7pm.
Thelma Smith, who passed away in April of 2014, lived and worked in Perrysburg for many years. She retired from Way Library after 20 years of service as the library Office Manager. A devoted student of music, she graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1954 with a double major in vocal and instrumental music. Throughout her life, she sang in many choirs, taught piano lessons, and was one of the organizers of the Perrysburg Symphony Chorale. The Thelma Smith Memorial Concert is being presented in memory of Mrs. Smith and her appreciation of classical music. Funding for the concert has been provided by donations to the library in her memory.
Ms. Connelly graduated from Perrysburg High School in 2004. She earned her Master’s degree in Music Performance from Belmont University and her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance with Honors from Bowling Green State University. Currently she performs with the Reston Community Orchestra, McLean Symphony Orchestra, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington D.C., and in quartets for church services and weddings. Alongside her performing career, Sarah has been a private violin instructor for 15 years. She has performed worldwide in Hungary and Corfu, Greece (with the Ionian Summer Music Academy) and at venues ranging from the Nashville Symphony Stage to the Grand Old Opry stage with Trey AnastasioI.
Sarah Connelly worked as a page at Way Library during her high school years. She and Thelma Smith formed a lasting friendship through their love of music. Mrs. Smith was a supportive mentor to Sarah as she achieved accolades and recognition as a violinist during high school and beyond. Sarah recently gave an overview of the concert from her home in Fairfax , Virginia. “I'm excited and honored to perform for the recital in loving memory of Thelma Smith. We are going to be celebrating her life with works like The Swan from Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens, The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 18th Variation by Rachmaninoff, Ave Maria by Schubert, Nimrod from 'Enigma' Variations by Elgar and Going Home by Dvorak. Michael Gartz will be the pianist and Anna Ballmer will join us on viola for Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J.S. Bach and Nocturne in E-Flat Major by Schubert. “
The Thelma Smith Memorial Concert is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. A reception will follow the concert.
Press Release Contact Name: Rose Mills
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-874-3135
Organization Name: Way Library
Website or Link: waylibrary.info
Organization Address: 101 E Indiana Ave, Perrysburg, OH, 43551