Music@AkronFCC: Valerie Thorson, organ and George Pope, flute

April 19, 2026, 4:00 PM | Location:
First Congregational Church of Akron
292 E. Market St.
Akron, OH 44308

Questions:
events@akronfcc.org
330.253.5109 x123

As a professional organist and choir director for nearly fifty years, Ms. Valerie Thorson has served churches in Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, Florida, and Ohio (she was Organist and Music Director here at AkronFCC for nearly 14 years!). Valerie has taught at Kenyon College, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Akron, and the College of Wooster. She was Co-Founder of the Chamber Music Society of Ohio, a professional chamber ensemble, and served as the principal keyboard/continuo player for the Akron Baroque Orchestra for nine years. Her performance of Handel’s Organ Concerto in F Major with that ensemble was called “clear and lively…eloquent,” by ClevelandClassical.com.

George Pope is Emeritus Professor of Flute at The University of Akron (1978-2013) and former Instructor of Flute at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory (2002-2023). Formerly the principal flute of The Akron Symphony from 1978-2002, he has also performed with The Cleveland Orchestra, the Brevard Music Center Orchestra, the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and the Canton and Toledo Symphony Orchestras. He is currently Principal Flute of the Blossom Festival Band. Mr. Pope is a founding member of the Solaris Wind Quintet and the Chamber Music Society of Ohio, and serves on the Board of the Tuesday Musical Association in Akron.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Description

April 19, 2026, 4:00 PM
Location:
First Congregational Church of Akron
292 E. Market St.
Akron, OH 44308

Questions:
events@akronfcc.org
330.253.5109 x123

As a professional organist and choir director for nearly fifty years, Ms. Valerie Thorson has served churches in Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, Florida, and Ohio (she was Organist and Music Director here at AkronFCC for nearly 14 years!). Valerie has taught at Kenyon College, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Akron, and the College of Wooster. She was Co-Founder of the Chamber Music Society of Ohio, a professional chamber ensemble, and served as the principal keyboard/continuo player for the Akron Baroque Orchestra for nine years. Her performance of Handel’s Organ Concerto in F Major with that ensemble was called “clear and lively…eloquent,” by ClevelandClassical.com.

George Pope is Emeritus Professor of Flute at The University of Akron (1978-2013) and former Instructor of Flute at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory (2002-2023). Formerly the principal flute of The Akron Symphony from 1978-2002, he has also performed with The Cleveland Orchestra, the Brevard Music Center Orchestra, the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and the Canton and Toledo Symphony Orchestras. He is currently Principal Flute of the Blossom Festival Band. Mr. Pope is a founding member of the Solaris Wind Quintet and the Chamber Music Society of Ohio, and serves on the Board of the Tuesday Musical Association in Akron.