Orchestra Draws Young Professionals

VALDOSTA - The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is cultivating an organization that encourages young professionals to experience the allure of symphony music.

The Downtown Symphony Club (DSC) held its first event at the Loft at City Market in mid September. Members dined on heavy hors d'oeuvres as the VSU Jazz Combo entertained them with traditional repertoire and contemporary improvisations. Teaching Artist and VSO Concertmaster, Nina Lutz, discussed her role leading the orchestra.

VSO Executive Director, Dr. Doug Farwell, said that the group plans to meet a few weeks prior to each orchestra performance -- so, about five times each year -- with live music and a presentation from a member of the VSO. The next gathering will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 and features the talents of Lutz on violin and part-time Instructor Nephtali Santiago on guitar.

“The DSC was created this summer to do something special for the VSO’s 20th anniversary season,” said Farwell, who teaches trombone at VSU. “We want young professionals, between the ages of 20-40, to be aware of how enriching an experience going to the symphony can be.”

In addition to informational and educational meetings, symphony club members enjoy a subscription to the VSO newsletter, behind-the-scenes experiences and invitations to special VSO events throughout the year, including “Tunes for Tots.” DSC has a Facebook page, and is in the process of creating an online member registration process at the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra Web site, www.valdostasymphony.org/. Annual dues to be a member of the DSC are $20 per person.

Created in 1990, the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra serves both the cultural life of Valdosta and the regional academic mission of Valdosta State University. The orchestra's membership is a unique blend of resident artist-faculty, students studying professional music disciplines, talented community performers, and carefully selected professionals from a five-state region.

For more information about the DSC, call Farwell at (229) 333-5807 or e-mail him at dfarwell@valdosta.edu. Learn more about the VSO www.valdostasymphony.org/