Recent News

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06/28/2010

Click link to take survey and provide your input on the sustainability of symphonic music in Charleston region:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SymphonicMusicSurvey

PRESS RELEASE:

COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS A SUCCESS -
PROCESS CONTINUES TO HELP DETERMINE FUTURE OF SYMPHONIC MUSIC
Charleston, SC (June 28, 2010)- More than 400 community members participated in four sessions in the past two weeks discussing the future of symphonic music in Charleston. The communityís opinions and ideas captured from the downtown Charleston, Johns Island, Daniel Island and West Ashley sessions are being analyzed and synthesized by meeting facilitators Dianne Culhane, former Coca-Cola executive, and Laura Deaton, Full Glass Consulting. They will identify any emerging trends and present a full summary to the steering committee.

In addition, an online survey launches today so that anyone who could not attend the sessions or those who have additional comments has an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. The survey will be open from June 28 ñ July 15, 2010.

To participate in the online survey, visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SymphonicMusicSurvey. or the website of the College of Charleston, Coastal Community Foundation, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

ìThe community dialogues were encouraging and really demonstrated that this community cares about symphonic music,î said George Stevens, President, Coastal Community Foundation and steering committee member, ìI thank everyone who took the time to participate. I look forward to working with the rest of the steering committee to analyze the community data, additional research and operating and financial models. This steering committee is very committed to spending the time and energy needed to provide strong and thoughtful recommendations to the community.î

The steering committee is co-chaired by George Benson (President, College of Charleston) and Marc Chardon (President and CEO, Blackbaud). The additional members of the steering committee are Nella G. Barkley (Board Chair of the Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts); Tony Bland (Director, Merrill Lynch); Leah D. Greenberg (Civic Leader); Martha Rivers Ingram, (Chairperson, Spoleto Festival, USA); Burton Schools (former President of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra); and George Stevens (President, Coastal Community Foundation).

The steering committee will have a series of three meetings in August. The first two will be to analyze the data and draft recommendations. Then there will be an opportunity for the community to offer feedback on the draft recommendations. The third meeting will be used to finalize the recommendations and the final report is expected to be available to the entire community in September.

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra will base its restructuring plan upon these recommendations and at that time propose a plan to its musicians to host a season of performances for the 75th Anniversary Season.

Online Survey Link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SymphonicMusicSurvey