CSG_Newsletter_Febru.. - Coastal Symphony of Georgia

Written in 1887, this composition by violin and
orchestra is based on the Cuban rhythm of “habanera”
and is evocative and emotional.
The third work is the famous Carmen Suite No. 1 by
Bizet. Bizet’s opera Carmen was first performed in
Paris shortly before his death in 1875. Carmen Suite 1
contains orchestral settings of some of the opera’s
most famous passages. His friend Ernest Guiraud
compiled the work after Bizet’s death.
After the intermission, the orchestra will play a short,
three-movement work by Finish composer, Jean
Sibelius, called Rakastava, the Lover. Rakastava is
based on lyrical Finnish folk poetry and is very
intimate in tone and texture.
The February concert will find the symphony with the
Coastal Symphony Chorus under the direction of
Rhonda Hambright. The concert begins with a short
choral anthem entitled Homeland, the first stanza of
which comes from the British patriotic song “I vow to
Thee, my Country”. English composer, Gustav Holst,
set these words to an adaptation of the “Jupiter theme”
from his orchestral suite The Planets. An American
composer arranged the remaining two stanzas. The
text transcends any cultural or national boundaries.
Max Hulls
Guest Soloist Max Hulls will
perform the second work. Max is
well known to us as Concertmaster
of CSG. He has been a member of
the Jacksonville Symphony
Orchestra since 1993, where he
also serves as a violin coach for the
Jacksonville Youth Orchestra. He
will perform French Composer
Saint-Saen’s Havanais Op. 83.
The last work will reunite orchestra and chorus for a
performance of English composer Ralph Vaughn
Williams’ Five Mystical Songs for Baritone, Chorus and
Orchestra. This work sets to music four poems written
by English poet George Herbert in 1663. We
welcome the return of guest baritone, Nathaniel
Roper. Nathaniel is the Director of
Choral Activities at Glynn Academy
and Choral Chair for District Eight
of the Georgia Music Educators
Association.
Nathaniel has
performed baritone solo works for
symphonies across the southeast,
including the Coastal Symphony of
Nathaniel Roper
Georgia.
Please join us on Monday, February 25 at 8 p.m. for
this wonderful concert of strong emotions and vivid
imagery. Please note—the concert will be held at
First Baptist Church in Brunswick.
Vernon Humbert, Music Director
COASTAL SYMPHONY OF GEORGIA / 2
The President’s Corner
Greetings,
Let me begin by thanking
the Symphony Society for
giving us another fabulous
Cabaret. Under the
leadership of President
Jennifer Broadus and
Cabaret Chairs Dottie
Fielder and Marjorie
Gruber, the Cloister was
transformed into the magic
of Venice. A legion of
volunteers worked for months planning the event,
which raised vital funds for both the Symphony and
the Youth Orchestra. Thanks also to our valued
sponsors and patrons who helped make the evening a
financial success. Your continued generosity and
support is much appreciated.
As we prepare for the February concert, I made a
mental list of the tasks to be done and began to
wonder – do our audience and supporters know what
it takes to stage a performance of the Coastal
Symphony of Georgia (CSG)? By “opening the
curtain” for you to see the background effort, I hope
you will better understand what is required to “raise
the curtain” at concert time.
The musical work is highly specialized and requires
committed experts. Using audience feedback, the
music director with input from the artistic committee
plans the next season as much as a year in advance.
Since the composition of the orchestra will vary
depending on the works performed, Maestro Humbert
develops a list of instruments required for each
concert. The CSG has a core orchestra made up of 29
local musicians. Ann Merwin, personal director, uses
the list to recruit an additional 25 to 30 professionals
from Jacksonville, Savannah, Tallahassee and other
distant locations. In the meanwhile, Tommy Orr,
orchestra librarian, has the important task of obtaining
and organizing all the music scores, preferably from
our library or by purchase. Royalty fees may also be
required increasing the cost of the concert.
FEBRUARY 2013
rehearsal with core and professional musicians is held
in Jacksonville about a week before the concert. When
a choral work is to be performed, as in February, the
all volunteer Symphony Chorus rehearses separately
for several weeks under the direction of Rhonda
Hambright with a final dress rehearsal with the
Symphony about a week before the performance.
Choral works require a larger stage than Glynn
Academy Auditorium can provide and thus we have
choral concerts at First Baptist Church in Brunswick.
We continue to thank our venue hosts for their
generous hospitality.
In addition to music preparation, a successful
performance involves many details converging
successfully on and before concert day. Elizabeth
Sundstrom, Office Manager, coordinates tickets sales
in addition to her many other essential tasks.
Volunteers service ticket outlets, monitor PayPal,
distribute posters, write and edit the newsletter,
prepare the program, label reserve seats, set up and
man the box office, assist with parking, collect tickets
and serve as ushers. Chris Duke, Band Director at
Glynn Academy (GA) and the GA Band Boosters haul
equipment wherever needed including the Jacksonville
rehearsal and First Baptist, Brunswick as well as set up
and break down the stage for each concert.
The afternoon of the concert, the musicians and
singers have a final rehearsal and a light meal. And
then it’s time! The house lights go down, the orchestra
and chorus are on stage ready to make music and the
audience is in attendance. Then, it is my honor to
welcome one and all, thank our generous sponsors and
give the stage to Maestro Humbert for another
wonderful experience of glorious, LIVE, classical
music.
Alice Barlow
Board President
Coastal Symphony of Georgia
About 6 to 7 weeks before each concert, the core
orchestra begins rehearsals on Monday nights at the
Glynn Middle School band room. A full orchestra
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COASTAL SYMPHONY OF GEORGIA / 3
FEBRUARY 2013
The Symphony Society
The Symphony Society’s busy fundraising Season!
The Symphony Society, the fund raising auxiliary of
the Coastal Symphony of Georgia has had a very busy
Fall and Winter season. Our two key initiatives, The
Golden Elephant Flea Market, and our gala signature
event, Cabaret, have kept many of our 286 members
focused on raising money to support our two
wonderful symphonies – The Coastal Symphony of
Georgia and the Coastal Youth Symphony.
The Golden Elephant Flea Market, which was held for
the fourth year at its signature location at 1810
Frederica Road on November 1-3, 2012, was a huge
success netting over $23,000 for The Society.
Attendance was at an all time high with over 2,000
guests visiting and over 150 volunteers participating.
Thanks once again to Dee Wright for donating the use
of her property for this key fundraiser.
Our 9th annual Cabaret
celebration was held
once again in the
magnificent Cloister
Ballroom on January
26, 2013. This year, the
theme was Venice! – a
spectacular evening
which transported
guests to Italy's
incomparable canal city
– celebrating the
unique pagentry, music,
fine cuisine and wines,
and fun that only a
'night in Venice' can
deliver. Highlights of Cabaret 2013 were the always
popular silent and live auctions, entertainment by
Mason Waters and the Groove Allstars with Michael
Hulett, the exciting $5,000 50/50 Cash Raffle, and our
always entertaining Master of Ceremonies – Brunswick
Mayor Bryan Thompson.
This year's Cabaret Honorary Chairs were Elizabeth
and Fred Freyer. The Freyers are outstanding
community leaders who have given their time, talents
and monetary support to the Symphonies for many
years. Congratulations to the Fred and Elizabeth as
recipients of this most well deserved honor.
Thanks also to 60+
volunteers, over 100
Cabaret auction
contributors,
dozens of generous
Cabaret Donors,
our
supportive
Sponsors – The Sea
Island Company
and
Southeast
Georgia
Health
System,
and
everyone
who
touched this event
in some special way
to make Cabaret
2013 a wonderful
Elizabeth and Fred Freyer
a nd
me m o ra bl e
Cabaret 2013 Honorary Chairs
success.
Special
thanks to Cabaret Co-Chairs Dottie Fielder and
Marjorie Gruber, and to Elizabeth Earnst of the Sea
Island Company for creating a truly rewarding
evening. Look to the next Symphony newsletter
for exciting fundraising results benefiting from
Cabaret.
Our Winter Meeting
Over 80 Society Members gathered at Ocean Forest
for our annual Christmas luncheon which was held on
December 5, 2012. A perfect day with 80 degree
temperatures and sunlight filling the beautiful dining
room as we savored a fabulous meal while entertained
by Michael Hulett on saxophone performing our
favorite holiday standards. A lovely, festive event.
Thanks to Program Chairs, MJ Choate and Nancy
Goodman for arranging all the details. Also, special
thanks to Anne Hines of Ocean Forest for once again
delivering a wonderful event for us to enjoy.
The next meeting of The Symphony Society will be
April 25, 2013 at The Cloister when we will be
entertained by the Ensemble of the Coastal Youth
Symphony. This meeting is open to Society members
and their guests. Hope to see you there. For
membership information on The Symphony Society
visit: www.coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org. Best wishes
to all for a wonderful and prosperous 2013!
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COASTAL SYMPHONY OF GEORGIA / 4
FEBRUARY 2013
Pre-Concert Dinner
February Concert Host
Due to popular request, The Brunswick Country Club
will be again be hosting the Pre-Concert Dinner on
February 25th. The club will be taking reservations
from 5:45 p.m. Come early to enjoy the special
“Happy Hour” cocktails and wine before dinner.
The February concert will beheld at First Baptist
Church in Brunswick. Many thanks to the Church for
allowing the Coastal Symphony to use their facility for
the performance.
The menu will include Potato Leek Soup with Poached
Oyster, Club Spinach Salad and corn bread biscuits
served at table, followed by unlimited selections at the
buffet of Yankee Pot Roast with vegetables, Lemon
Pepper Roasted Chicken and Romano Crust Atlantic
Salmon with sundried tomato basil cream. This will be
accompanied by green beans, basmati rice and tomato
Pie. Desert will be Chef’s Pound Cake, toasted, a la
mode. Soft drinks, coffee and tea are included.
The cost per person is $21.95 plus tax and service
charge. Make your reservation, preferably by Monday,
February 18th, by calling 912-264-0331, ext 9.
As was determined last year, the venue is a critical
factor for this concert. The church provides a
beautiful space with excellent acoustics which seem to
achieve just the right balance between the chorus and
the orchestra. CSG is truly appreciative
Brought to you through the generosity of the
Julie and Eric Epstein Foundation
Russell Malone
Virtuoso and Jazz Journalists Association
2011Guitarist of the Year
From the City to the Golden Isles
Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.
Southeast Georgia Conference Center
Terrill Thomas Auditorium
College of Coastal Georgia Campus
Wine and cheese reception included
Tickets $25 each
For reservations call 912-279-4535
All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the
College of Coastal Georgia Foundation
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COASTAL SYMPHONY OF GEORGIA / 5
Symphony
Spotlight
Virginia Lovett
Principal keyboard player
FEBRUARY 2013
Ginny served as church organist, choir director and
worship leader for 25 years at Christ Episcopal Church
in St. Marys. She also served on staff for Diocesan
church music camp and taught at a six week Diocesan
music school for musicians of small churches.
Ginny sang with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
Chorus for twelve years. She has given solo recitals on
piano, harpsichord and organ and taught private piano
lessons for many years.
She has accompanied many recitals for singers and
instrumentalists, performed in a variety of chamber
groups (including Camden Coastal Chamber
Ensemble) and has been playing for weddings since a
teenager.
After moving to St. Marys, Ginny started a music
program in the elementary schools in Camden County.
About seven years ago Ginny began study of folk harp
and has competed in several Scottish Games, as well as
playing the harp at church and weddings.
Ginny began playing the piano at age four. She
received a Bachelor of Music degree from the
University of Puget Sound and a Master of Music from
the University of Illinois, both in piano performance.
She studied one year in Vienna, Austria, at the
Academy of Music.
Ginny has been a member of the Coastal Symphony
for about twenty years. Currently she is the CSO
principal keyboard player, plus mallet player in the
percussion section as needed.
Ginny and her husband Dave have been married 45
years and have lived in St. Marys over 30 years. They
have three grown children and one grandchild.
After the masters degree she taught piano at Austin
Peay State University, in Clarksville, Tennessee, and
inaugurated a course in Piano Accompaniment.
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COASTAL SYMPHONY OF GEORGIA / 6
FEBRUARY 2013
Youth Symphony
The following is a letter from a recent graduate:
Coastal Youth Chamber Ensemble
Dear Coastal Symphony and CYS Supporters,
My name is Jenissa Gordon and I was a violinist in
the Coastal Youth Symphony for six years.
I was one of the founding members. I took a big
step this August when I left the comfort of the
coast to attend the University of Georgia. I was
nervous to be in a new place surrounded by many
new people. However, I knew I had a whole
symphony family back home rooting for me.
During the time I spent with the Coastal Youth
Symphony, I grew very close to Maestro Haza and
Ms. Beverly Fetter. They showed me the beauty of
small ensemble as well as full symphonic music.
More so, the skills I learned from participating in
the CYS --- like time management, organization
and the power of artistic expression --- have made
the transition to college easier. This spring I will
be playing in the University Philharmonic. It is
because of the Coastal Youth Symphony that I am
able to experience so many of UGA’s performing
arts facets.
The CYS has changed my life because of music
supporters like you. I am forever indebted to your
generosity and I hope you will continue to support
the Coastal Youth Symphony as they cultivate
amazing young musicians.
Sincerely,
Jenissa Gordon
Brunswick High School, Class of 2012
University of Georgia, Class of 2016
Jenissa’s current plan is to
earn a BS in Biochemistry
and Molecular Science and
go on to graduate school.
Because she earned a 4.0 this
fall, she has been designated
a UGA Presidential Scholar.
The Coastal Youth Symphony Chamber Ensemble
concluded its busy year in front of a standing room
only crowd at Sea Island’s Lodge on December
21st. The event, expanded this year to include alumni
members, performed under the direction of Beverly
Fetter, with Michele Jamieson as accompanist.
Returning to play were these CYS graduates, all of
whom are furthering their education: Morgan Stokes,
Lera Dumas, Lydia Whitfield, Daniel Fetter, Carlton
Thomas, Thomas Trinh, Merry Zohn and Ria
Chu. Current CYS members who were part of the
ensemble were Stephenie Powell, Elizabeth Graiser,
Mary Ann Nichols, Tynesha Little, Red Chu, Emmie
Landford, Tristen Durst, Ted Davis III, Faye Chu,
Brendan Kohler, Brooke Harris, Chloe Bragg, Karis
Williams and Jada Taylor.
Traditional and
contemporary works formed the program.
The CYS’s spring concert, conducted by music
director and conductor Maestro Luis Haza, will be
held at 3:00 pm on May 5, 2013 at the Glynn Academy
Memorial Auditorium.
Her twin brothers, who play
dueling tubas, continue the
family tradition as CYS
members.
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COASTAL SYMPHONY OF GEORGIA / 7
FEBRUARY 2013
A New CYS Program: TUTTI
YS Honors
This fall, the CYS and the Glynn County School
District began a unique partnership created to better
support school strings programs in the light of
dwindling resources and budgets. Named TUTTI,
the project is funded by grants from the Parker Poe
Charitable Trust, The Eugenia Price/Joyce Blackburn
Charitable Trust Foundation, the John N. Goddard
Foundation and CYS board member Ann Leggett
Perse.
Two members of the Coastal Youth Symphony
recently qualified through statewide auditions for the
All-State Band. Chloe Bragg, proficient on both the
violin and the bassoon is a freshman at Camden
County High School. She is one of only two students
chosen from Camden County. She has received many
musical honors. She studies through the CYS lesson
scholarship program with Anthony Anurca, a member
of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Jacob
Haymans is an eleventh grade trumpet player from
Brunswick High School. He was also the only Glynn
County student selected for the Governor’s Honors
Program this summer.
The program is led by Maestro Luis Haza and
coordinated by Crystal Murphy and CYS board
member JoAnn Davis. Maestro Haza is offering a
series of workshops for the school district’s middle
and high school music teachers to allow them to
upgrade their musical repertoire and enhance their
strings expertise. Those completing the series will
receive a Professional Learning Credit.
Maestro Haza is also working with CYS instructors
Jessica Hauser-Brydon and Crystal Murphy to increase
their skills and to standardize the private lessons
offered to CYS strings students. Both Hauser-Brydon
and Murphy now give weekly string instruction in
Glynn Academy and Needwood, Glynn Middle and
Risley Middle Schools to individual and small groups
of players. Students who show promise will be
offered places in the CYS summer instructional
programs, including camp.
l-r: Jacob Haymans, Maestro Luis Haza and Tonia Haymans
Janet Shirley
TUTTI workshop. l-r: Jessica Hauser-Brydon, CYS violin and viola
instructor, Assistant Conductor, Glynn Academy Orchestra; Crystal
Murphy, CYS violin instructor and Director, CYS’s TUTTI project;
Armand Tyson, Needwood Middle School Choral and Orchestra
Director; Mary Pipkin, Glynn Middle School Choral and Orchestra
Director; Susanna Birge, Risley Middle School Orchestra and Band
Director; Ray Clark, CYS assistant conductor and horn coach; Nathaniel
Roper, Glynn Academy Choral and Orchestra Director, Maestro Luis
Haza, Conductor and Musical Director for CYS.
Ben Hartman
Bob Cunningham
Ed Vinhateiro
Attorneys at Law
Bank of America Plaza
777 Gloucester St., Suite 305
Brunswick, Georgia 31520
Phone 912-262-5996
Fax
912-279-0586
www.huntermaclean.com
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ORDER FORM
2012-2013 Concert Season
Season Subscriber
Name _________________________________________
Address _______________________________________
_______________________________________
Phone Number __________________________________
Principal (2 unreserved seats) ____ @ $250 __________
Adult Season Tickets
_______ @ $75 __________
Student/Child Season
_______ @ $20 __________
Single Concert Tickets
Email _________________________________________
Adults
Student/Child
All gifts are tax deductible.
Symphony Society Membership
Conductor’s Circle Membership
$1000 Maestro
_____________________
(4 premium reserved seats)
$750
Composer ———————————
(3 premium reserved seats)
$500
Concertmaster __________________
(2 premium reserved seats)
$250
Soloist
_______________________
(1 premium reserved seat)
Individual
Dual/Couple
_______ @$25
_______ @$5
________ @$35
________ @$55
Total amount enclosed:
__________
__________
__________
__________
$ __________________
Please make checks payable to:
The Coastal Symphony of Georgia
P.O.Box 21733
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
You may also purchase tickets online at:
www.coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org
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