The Akron Civic Theatre, a Knight Arts grantee, has been getting into the intimate setting for dance events and musical performances. Another one coming down the musical pike is a brand new performance group, Sound Gallery.

Sound Gallery is made up of area musicians, mostly of classically trained performers, and most of whom play for or have played for the Akron Symphony Orchestra, a Knight Arts grantee. Members are: Pam Murchison, Tom Reed, Rob Frankenberry, Cyn Warren, Cindy Wulff, Renee Anthony Dee and Sean Yancer. Even though they have played together over the years, this configuration is quite new.

Sound Gallery.

This group of talents musicians’ aim is not to become a small orchestra group in imitation of the larger orchestra. Instead, the aim, as Akron Civic officials say, is to bring performers and audiences closer together — that is, to get that kind of cabaret setting and more effectively unite the music and the performance.

This group will perform an intimate evening of music that celebrates family, friends and the Akron community. Among the musical candidates will be an arrangement of “Going Home” from Antonín Dvořák’s “New World Symphony.” The piece is a classic and audience favorite, evoking the stirrings of spiritual music that Dvorak was so very interested in.

They will also include a sampler of Stephen Foster’s songs. Foster is considered the first great American composer, and has even been called the father of American music. He wrote more than 200 songs, most of which are categorized in the genres of minstrel and parlour music. Songs like “Beautiful Dreamer” and “Oh Susanna” are sure to be around for a long, long time.

Sound Gallery also plans to introduce some new pieces,  including one called “Family Gathering” for wind quartet and piano. Sound Gallery will have one performance at 8 p.m.on Friday, November 8 in the Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron; 330-253-2488; www.akroncivic.com. Ticket prices are $15 or a date-night special price of two for $25.