PERRYSBURG — Professional violinist Sarah Connelly will return to Perrysburg roots for a special
performance in memory of the late Thelma Smith Saturday at 7 p.m. at Way Public Library, 101 E. Indiana
Aven.
Thelma Smith, who passed away in April of 2014, lived and worked in Perrysburg for many years. She
retired from Way Library after 20 years of service as the library Office Manager. A devoted student of
music, she graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1954 with a double major in vocal and
instrumental music. Throughout her life, she sang in many choirs, taught piano lessons, and was one of
the organizers of the Perrysburg Symphony Chorale. The Thelma Smith Memorial Concert is being presented
in memory of Smith and her appreciation of classical music. Funding for the concert has been provided by
donations to the library in her memory.
Connelly, a 2004 graduate from Perrysburg High School in 2004, worked as a page at Way Library during
high school. Smith served as a mentor and encouraged Connelly’s pursuit of a music career.
Connelly went on to earn Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance with Honors from Bowling Green State
University and a Master’s degree in Music Performance from Belmont University.
Currently she performs with the Reston Community Orchestra, McLean Symphony Orchestra, the Pro Arte
Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington D.C., and in quartets for church services and weddings.
Alongside her performing career, Sarah has been a private violin instructor for 15 years.
She has performed worldwide in Hungary and Corfu, Greece (with the Ionian Summer Music Academy) and at
venues ranging from the Nashville Symphony Stage to the Grand Old Opry stage with Trey Anastasio.
Connelly said she is honored “I’m excited and honored to perform for the recital in loving memory of
Thelma Smith. “
Michael Gartz will be the pianist.
The repertoire was selected to celebrate Smith’s life.
On the program will be: “The Swan” from “Carnival of the Animals” by Saint-Saens; “The Lark Ascending”
by Ralph Vaughan Williams; “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 18th Variation” by Sergei Rachmaninoff; “Ave
Maria” by Franz Schubert; “Nimrod” from “‘Enigma’ Variations” by Edward Elgar and “Going Home” by
Antonin Dvorak.
Anna Ballmer on viola will join Connelly and Gartz to perform “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach
and Nocturne in E-Flat Major by Franz Schubert.
A reception will follow the free concert.
