Retired Cleveland Orchestra member offers new perspective

Retired Cleveland Orchestra percussionist Richard Weiner will speak May 9 at Porter Library.

Working under the watch of hundreds of eyes is not in the job description of most people. But for 48 years it was the norm for Richard Weiner, retired member of the Cleveland Orchestra, and principal percussionist for 43 of those years.

On Thursday, May 9, at 7 p.m., the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council presents Weiner’s informal discussion at its Quarterly Event Program, at Westlake Porter Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road. Weiner will share his “View from the Stage of The Cleveland Orchestra,” offering glimpses of his experiences as a member of the Cleveland Orchestra as well as the influences that drew him into his illustrious career in music as a percussionist and teacher.

After receiving a Master of Music with Distinction from Indiana University in 1963, Weiner was named a member of the Cleveland Orchestra by George Szell. He subsequently received numerous awards and distinctions including a Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, from Cleveland State University and the Cleveland Orchestra Distinguished Service Award recognizing extraordinary service to the orchestra.

Weiner has authored books on percussion, has performed on over 175 recordings and played over 100 world and American premières. He is co-head of the percussion and timpani department at The Cleveland Insittue of Music and is a faculty member at The National Orchestral Institute. He has served as guest faculty at the New World Symphony. He was previously a faculty member at Oberlin College. His former students play in symphony orchestras across the U.S. and abroad.

This unique program, which provides an opportunity to meet, listen and talk with Richard Weiner, is provided free to the community by the W-WAC.