Augusta Symphony
History of the Augusta Symphony
In its 53 years, the Augusta Symphony has dramatically grown from a “pick-up” group of fifteen musicians into an organization offering a variety of concert series serving 15 counties in two states. The full orchestra debuted on May 23, 1954 under the baton of Harry Jacobs. The following year the Masterworks concert series was introduced.
Community involvement for the Symphony cam early. In the second season, the Symphony Guild was formed to provide social and financial support. The League followed in 1961, lending its management skills and incorporating the orchestra. The Guild sponsored the first Cotillion the following season.
During the 1979-80 season, the Symphony business office opened. Education and outreach activities began the next season with pre-concert talks and “Let’s Meet the Symphony” classes. Also in 1980-81, the Friends of the Symphony support group was formed providing valuable volunteers, including starting the Creative Collage summer music camp for children. Orchestra members were contracted to serve as principals for the Augusta Ballet and Opera, and the William S. Boyd Piano competition began.
The 1985-86 season expanded the audience of the Augusta Symphony across state lines with the institution of the Aiken Concert Series, funded by the Aiken Symphony Guild. A Four-member core was hired the next year establishing a String Quartet. The 1988-89 season saw the full incorporation of Augusta Symphony, Inc. Additional core members created the Woodwind Trio, and the Discovery Young People Concerts began.
The 1990-91 season was Dr. Donald Portnoy’s first season as Music Director. He initiated the Pops! At the
The String Quartet and Woodwind Trio, by this time, had become an important presence in area schools, now performing 150 lecture/demonstrations throughout the Central Savannah River Area. The Discovery Program expanded with a Minority Outreach Project especially for inner-city schools, and the Symphony educational activities extended even further when the Aiken Symphony Guild began its Children’s Concerts in the 1995-96 season.
During the 2000-2001 season, the Musician-to-Musician program was implemented, taking Symphony musicians into area schools, working with music teachers and aspiring students involved in string and band programs. The 2002-2003 season added another community outreach program with “Music to the People” – a series of pops and light classics concerts presented by a 40-member “promenade” orchestra and conducted by Donald Portnoy in CSRA communities. The 2004-2005 season celebrated our 50th anniversary season with a Stephen Paulus commission in a world premier concert featuring Metropolitan Opera Soprano Deborah Voigt. The 2004-2005 season also initiated the Symphony “Pops! Under the Stars” free outdoor concert at the Evans campus of the University Health Care System.
Symphony Experience
A First Time Concert-Goers Guide:
What is Classical Music?
The Term “classical music,” can mean anything from a Bach Concerto to a Brahms Rhapsody, anything from an
An Orchestra is made up of four sections: strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion.
The instrument featured in each section include:
Strings: violin, viola, cello, bass
Brass: horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba
Percussion: Timpani, harp, xylophone, keyboard
Will I recognize the music?
Odds are, you will recognize far more than you realize. Many of today’s popular songs, television shows and movies includes selections from classical pieces, or borrowed from classical themes, like the Lone Ranger them (Rossini’s William Tell Overture), the Bugs bunny cartoon “What’s Opera Doc?” (Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyrie’s), the United Airlines commercial (Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue), and many more.
Do I need to know the music before I attend?
No. One of the great joys of going to an Augusta Symphony concert is being introduced to a great piece of music you have never heard before, or listening to a superb performance of a piece you have not heard in years. Some regular concert-goers do find they appreciate the performances more if they listen to a recorded piece before the concert so they can better anticipate their favorite parts, or listen for virtuoso playing of the more difficult passages. And, many audience members find it enhances their enjoyment of the music if they take the time before to read the notes in the program about the composer and the pieces that are to be performed. Masterworks concert patrons can attend Interludes, an opportunity to discuss the evening’s performance and enjoy light refreshments. Interludes begin at 7 p.m. and resume during intermission.
What is the difference between series and season?
A concert season is typically the months September through May. A series is a set of pre-selected concerts that you can purchase as a package. If you purchase a series, you become a subscriber. Subscribers enjoy many benefits, which include sitting in the same seats for every season and ticket return privileges.
What should I wear?
Most people consider a concert by the Augusta Symphony to be a special event, and tend to dress for the occasion in suits and ties, or nice dresses and pantsuits. Many prefer business attire. Formal dress-evening gowns and tuxedos-is generally worn only to our gala events.
What Time do concerts begin?
Augusta Symphony concerts begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. In deference to the comfort and listening pleasure of the audience in the hall, latecomers will not be seated until the conclusion of the work of the program, and there will be no seating break during any work. Patrons who leave the hall before or during a work will not be reseated until after the completion of the work.
When should I arrive?
We suggest that you arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the concert is scheduled to begin. That will give you ample time to find your seat, relax, read the program notes, and watch the musicians as they take the stage.
When should I applaud?
Generally, it is considered proper concert etiquette to applaud only after a piece is complete. This means that, for example, if you were listening to Beethoven’s symphony No. 9, which has four movements, it is approximate to applaud after the last movement. If all else fails, you can always wait on the rest of the audience to begin applauding.
May I bring children?
Children under seven are not encouraged to attend our regular subscription concerts
- The two hour programs tend to be too long for children. If you think your child might be ready to experience a classical performance, we suggest you attend one of the open dress rehearsals that are offered. You may call the Symphony office to find out more about the times and dates. The symphony also offers the Publix Family Fun Series of concerts for children of all ages and their families.
Can I bring my cell phone or camera?
Concerts are recorded by Georgia Public Radio. Therefore, the Augusta Symphony requests that you turn off all cell phones, pagers, beepers etc…These devices should remain off throughout the duration of the performance. Noise of any kind may be distracting to the performers and patrons alike. No photography or use of recording devices is allowed at any time. Following these guidelines helps you be sensitive to your neighbors, and allows everyone to have a more pleasant concert experience.
Information provided by Augusta Symphony - http://www.augustasymphony.org/