“Having a symphony orchestra is a distinction for any city. For 50 years, Wilmington has enjoyed the benefits of such a civic institution, seeing it grow from 33 volunteer musicians to a 70-member semi-professional orchestra,” writes Bob Workmon in Tuesday’s (6/1) Star-News (Wilmington, NC). “The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, led by [music director] Steven Errante, will take Cape Fear Community College’s Wilson Center stage … in October to officially begin its anniversary season. The orchestra has a new concertmaster [Christine Maynard], a new executive director [Liz Scanlon], and some ideas about its future…. For now, as they have throughout the coronavirus crisis, small ensembles from the orchestra will play Cameron Art Museum’s Second Sunday series…. Errante founded the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2001, and among the alumni from that first class … was the WSO’s new concertmaster, Christine Maynard…. Scanlon said the orchestra has to grow its audience through community connection, and the place to start is expanding offerings … to children and teens [through] Rockestra [and] Play It Forward … another program planned to help kids afford instruments… There will be tuition assistance for those who want to study and play.”
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