This story is sponsored by the Ashland Symphony Orchestra.
The Ashland Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and popular local band Tom’s Kitchen Table (TKT) will be rockin’ n’ rollin’ together at the Classical Rock music event on Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
The hour show will consist of music from The Beatles to Beethoven to TKT originals and will be held at the Robert M. & Janet L. Archer Auditorium located in Ashland High School.
TKT, sponsored by Grandpa’s Cheesebarn and Sweeties Chocolates, is made up of four core members who play a variety of instruments including drums, electric bass, acoustic guitar, ukulele, banjo and more. The Ashland community has enjoyed the musical talents of the group for years, hearing songs from multiple genres, always keeping the audience engaged.
In 2022, Music Director and Conductor for the ASO, Michael Repper, reached out to TKT in hopes to collaborate on a unique concert to share with the community.
“Fundamentally we are trying to bring people together and that is how I came up with the concert idea with TKT,” Repper said.
Repper is new to the position here in Ashland, but brings lots of experience and expertise to the table. He recently was nominated for a GRAMMY award for Best Orchestral Performance with the New York Youth Symphony, the first time a youth orchestra has been nominated in this category.
When Repper first came to Ashland, he was amazed at the active pub life the downtown has, filled with good food, drinks, people and live entertainment. When he saw how much the community loved to listen and watch local bands, he knew he wanted to make collaboration a priority within the ASO.
Repper believes collaboration is key for an orchestra’s role in the community. It allows people to come together and gives the ASO the opportunity to join forces with local artists and groups.
“There is no question that as long as I am at the helm of the orchestra, a huge component of our activity will be collaborating,” he said.
TKT is especially thrilled to be playing their original music with a plethora of new instruments.
“We never dreamed when we wrote these songs that we would be backed by an orchestra. It is going to be a fun experience,” TKT member Michael Kruman said.
According to Repper, the audience should expect a fun, high energy event that will leave the audience feeling rejuvenated.
“Our hope is that people will come and have a good time and then enjoy going to a bar afterwards,” Repper said. “I promise it will be 70 minutes of fireworks.”
For more information about the Classical Rock event or to purchase tickets, visit the Ashland Symphony Orchestra website.
