“A symphony orchestra based in Springfield is striving to increase connectivity with the community during its current season,” writes Elizabeth Kyle in Friday’s (11/30) Dayton Business Journal (OH). “The Springfield Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1943, is comprised of 100 musicians [and] is also home to the Springfield Symphony Chorale. [For] its ‘NightLights I—Holiday Pops’ performance Dec. 2 … the Springfield Symphony Orchestra will be playing alongside the Springfield Youth Symphony, the Springfield Children’s Chorus and the Gary Geis Dance Company. ‘The students learn an enormous amount in this setting,’ … said Music Director Peter Stafford Wilson…. Executive Director Lou Ross [says], ‘We try to include innovation in our programs and add new spins onto our classical compositions.’ One example … was last season’s world premiere of Cirque Musica’s Heroes and Villains show [blending] high-flying acrobatics with classical music and hits from modern movies…. The staff also experimented with the performances’ start times…. Other past initiatives in the community include pop-up live performances at Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company, college nights at the symphony offering discount tickets for college students, celebrations of the region’s arts and agricultural industry and ‘petting zoo’ events giving children the opportunity to test out different instruments.”
Posted December 3, 2018
