“How can a symphony orchestra that’s been around for 80 years remain vital and win new audiences?” writes Adam Parker in Saturday’s (2/20) Post and Courier (Charleston, S.C.). The Charleston Symphony “is tackling this challenge in several ways: with expanded education outreach, more collaboration, the presentation of special musical guests and creative programming…. It has a new music director, Ken Lam; it has a new concert hall, the Gaillard Center; it has a full-time director of education and community engagement, Janice Crews; and … a core group of motivated musicians who participate in the decision-making process…. The CSO is making two big changes for the upcoming season. It’s introducing a new [three-concert] chamber music series and it is naming [concertmaster Yuriy] Bekker artistic director of the Pops series. It’s also got plans to bolster the Magnetic South series, which features contemporary classical music…. The Masterworks series has eight concerts, including two featuring the CSO Chorus singing Brahms’ German Requiem and Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 1.… The CSO is extending its reach … with beefed-up education outreach” in schools and at the Gaillard Center.
Posted February 24, 2016
