Snowbelt Musical Arts Association is a nonprofit organization created to bring more music to the Snowbelt region of Northeast Ohio. We provide opportunities for people of all ages to participate in musical activities, both as performers and audiences.
We passionately believe that music is a lifelong learning activity and operate musical ensembles to allow area musicians to expand and develop their skills, express themselves, and share their love of music with the community.
Snowbelt Musical Arts Association is an established non-profit, experienced in producing large ensemble concerts. Our director, Greg Hillis has 30 years of experience as a professional musician.
Snowbelt Symphony Orchestra - The first fully-professional orchestra serving Lake and Geauga Counties
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to hear musical masterworks by Mozart, Beethoven, or Tchaikovsky performed live by a symphony orchestra right in your backyard? Unfortunately, those of us in Lake and Geauga counties rarely have the opportunity to hear any kind of live classical music concerts in our own neighborhoods, let alone the majestic sounds of a live symphony orchestra. That’s why we’ve created the Snowbelt Symphony Orchestra to be Lake and Geauga’s “hometown” orchestra.
The Snowbelt Symphony is a fully-professional orchestra staffed by some of the many high-quality, talented freelance musicians we have here in Northeast Ohio. We had our first two concerts in the spring of 2022 as a 30-player chamber orchestra. This fall, we will commence our first full four-concert season. Gradually, we will build the orchestra into a full 60-player symphony and add more concerts.
Can Lake and Geauga counties support an orchestra? Absolutely! With well over 320,000 residents Lake/Geauga is the largest population area in Ohio that doesn’t currently have a local professional orchestra. In fact, there are at least 10 smaller counties with their own professional orchestras. People today are actively searching for events and activities in their own neighborhood instead of always having to drive an hour to another county. More access to the arts will make Lake and Geauga counties an even better place to live.
Ensembles
Lake Effect Concert Band
Our all-volunteer community concert band.
Blizzard Youth Winds
Our community youth (grades 6 – 12) concert band.
Polar Vortex
Our all-volunteer community Big Band.