Rich Kramer, Richard Smucker, Elizabeth and Lee Banks and Max Kramer

Ellen Tschappat, Cynthia Knight, Carol Vandenberg and Andre Gremillet

A summer garden party provided the perfect theme for Blossom Summer Soiree, held in the Knight Grove at Blossom Music Center.
More than 300 attendees gathered to support the Cleveland Orchestra’s summer festival, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Blossom Summer Soiree event committee included Michelle Anderson, Iris Harvie, Laura Hunsicker, Megan Karges, Sue Kenney and Chris Kramer.
Following cocktails and dinner, guests moved to the pavilion for the Broadway Legends concert featuring mega hits and star vocalists. They heard the songs of legendary composers Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein and more, culminating with a special tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber. Richard Kaufman conducted the orchestra. Hugh Panaro, Dee Roscioli and Scarlett Strallen were the featured vocalists.

Andre and Ginette Gremillet with Nancy McCann and Dean Fisher

Cleveland Orchestra President and CEO Andre Gremillet noted that 21 million music lovers have passed through the gates of Blossom Music Center since it opened in 1968. He said the orchestra has been touring the globe since 1957. Richard Smucker, chairman of the board of the Cleveland Orchestra, added that the orchestra is one of the few in the United States to own its summer and winter homes. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN