.
Bravissimo, symphony (whoever you were)
By: MORNING NEWS
Published: September 14, 2011
This just in: somebody has kidnapped the entire, all-volunteer Florence Symphony Orchestra and replaced it with a highly paid, world-class orchestra.
Or so it seemed Monday night when the symphony premiered its 2011-12 season at the brand-new Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. The riffs from Edvard Grieg’s famous Piano Concerto in A rolled through the building. A typically stirring Tchaikovsky coda reverberated off the walls. The sound was quite amazing and, to our decidedly untrained ears, could have passed for a bigger, better-paid symphony in a bigger, more affluent place. Hence the conclusion that somebody pulled a switch.
Or, as an alternate theory of the crime, the new PAC’s computer-designed acoustics make a world of difference.
Or, as an alternate alternate theory, knowing that the PAC’s new computer-designed acoustics would render every sound readily audible, our hard-working musicians practiced extra hard.
We’re guessing it was some combination of the last two. The PAC and conductor Terry Roberts have been toiling away for some time now, polishing their debut show into shape. And, as concert-goers at the PAC throughout the opening weekend learned, the building really is an acoustical masterpiece. The art deco-esque OSB panels, with their strategically exposed metalwork, focus the sound in such a way that volumes cease to be a critical factor. Roberta Flack noted this early on in her opening performance Friday, whispering part of her between-song patter and amazing the audience by still being heard. Soloist Paolo Andrea Gualdi emphasized the point at Monday’s symphony opener, his fingers dancing delicately across the keys in one delightful pianissimo phrase, yet still easily audible in the hall’s far recesses.
All this bodes well for the symphony as it heads into its 63rd season. It has long been source of pride for the Florence community. By moving into the city’s brand new performance hall, it now has the chance to become something more. Could it develop into a regional symphony of some note? A legendary troupe, famous for its skill despite its (theoretically) “amateur” status?
Time will tell the tale.
We will enjoy listening to the story along the way.
For now, we just say bravissimo, Florence Symphony, bravissimo.
Support The Symphony
Dear Subscriber, We once again would like to thank you for your support of the symphony. To present our concerts we look to a variety of sources to raise money (ticket sales, grants, corporate and individual contributions). To date we have exceeded expectation in ticket sales, currently 40% ahead of last year. We have also had success with government and private grants. With these in hand we have achieved 80% of our budget. The remaining 20% still needs to be raised from private donors, both corporate and individual contributors. National statistics for symphonies show private donation represent 40% of an orchestra’s income. We only need 20%. That represents approximately $30,000 needed to finish our fiscal year on June 30, 2012. If you have made a contribution this season in addition to your ticket purchase we are most grateful. If you have not or would like to make an additional contribution, we urge you to contribute now and help us finish the season as successfully as we began. Enclose is a return envelope, please send it back today All contributions are tax deductible as allowable by law. The Florence Symphony Orchestra is a 501(C)3 non-profit corporation. With grateful thanks, Wendell Jones Board Chairman
Be a Sponsor
The Florence Symphony since 1949 has brought quality music, education and entertainment to Florence and the Pee Dee. Currently we offer a 5 concert series at the Florence Civic Center and a Youth Orchestra training young talented musicians who perform for the city’s school children, seniors and visit surrounding communities. To accomplish these programs we look to a variety of sources to raise money (ticket sales, grants, corporate and individual contributions). To date we have exceeded expectation in ticket sales, currently 40% ahead of last year. We have also had success with government and private grants. With these in hand we have achieved 80% of our budget. The remaining 20% needs to be raised from private donors, both corporate and individual contributors. National statistics for symphonies show private donation represent 40% of an orchestra’s income. We only need 20%. That represents approximately $30,000 needed to finish our fiscal year on June 30, 2012. Please join us in the continuing success of the Symphony by becoming a sponsor. Our sponsors are the leaders of the community and receive many benefits through publicity in our programs and advertising, access to ticket, opportunities to meet you customers while they are having fun.
View archived news
The Florence Symphony Orchestra came into being in the spring of 1949. A call for volunteers to form a community band has lead to over half a century of crowd-pleasing performances with four concerts a season. As it prepares to move into the new Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center, the symphony will expand to five concerts in the coming season. The symphony also operates the Florence Symphony Youth Orchestra. With the support of the Florence Symphony Guild, the Florence Symphony Orchestra enriches the cultural quality of Florence and the surrounding areas.
Contact Us