December 13 – 15 KNIGHT THEATER
Julian Perkins, conductor
Anna Dennis, soprano Diana Moore, mezzo-soprano
Richard Pittsinger, tenor Hadleigh Adams, baritone
Charlotte Master Chorale
Seasons Greetings from Your CSO
The holidays in Charlotte have a magic all their own. Whether you’re marveling at the dazzling lights at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, sipping cider at a holiday market, or skating under the stars at Truist Field, this season fills our city with joy, wonder, and connection. At the Charlotte Symphony, that magic comes alive in the music we share — a tradition we’re honored to bring to the vibrant city we call home.
As the most active performing arts organization in Charlotte, the Symphony reaches more than 130,000 music lovers each year, including 15,000 students who discover the transformative power of music through our education programs. None of this would be possible without the generosity of supporters like you, who recognize the vital role the arts play in enriching our lives and shaping our community.
If tonight’s performance inspires you, there are many ways to share the joy of music. A donation helps ensure we continue to make a meaningful impact in our community, while a gift card or our 3 for $99 concert package is the perfect way to share the joy of live music with those you love this holiday season.
Thank you for making us part of your holiday traditions. From all of us at the Charlotte Symphony, we wish you a season filled with music, memories, and the magic of being together.
David Fisk President & CEO
Your Charlotte Symphony Experience
Whether you’re attending your first Symphony performance, or you’re a longtime subscriber, we’d like to extend to you a warm and inclusive welcome! Below is some helpful information to ensure you make the most of your Charlotte Symphony experience.
What should I wear?
The Charlotte Symphony has no specific dress code. We encourage you to be comfortable and come as yourself in a style of your choice.
When do I applaud?
Audiences applaud to welcome the concertmaster, conductor, and featured artists onstage. Some works may have several sections, or movements, separated by a brief silent pause. It is tradition to hold applause until the last movement. If you are unsure, wait for the conductor to face the audience. But if you feel truly inspired, do not be afraid to applaud!
Can I take photos?
Certainly! We welcome and encourage you to capture and share photos before and after the concert, as well as during intermission. Feel free to use your cell phone for photography without flash during the performance, but please refrain from video or audio recording.
THE NINETY-THIRD SEASON
Handel’s M ESSIA H
Julian Perkins, conductor
Anna Dennis, soprano Diana Moore, mezzo-soprano
Richard Pittsinger, tenor Hadleigh Adams, baritone
Charlotte Master Chorale
Friday, December 13, 2024, at 7:30 pm Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 3:00 pm
Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685-1759)
Messiah , HWV 56
Part I. The Advent of the Messiah
Part III. His Resurrection - INTERMISSION -
Part II. The Passion of the Christ
These performances present an abridged version of Messiah. You may find a detailed listing of the concert order on the following pages.
CONCERT DURATION: approximately 2 1/2 hours. There will be one 20-minute intermission.
CONCERT SPONSORED BY
Handel’s M ESSIA H
Music by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Texts selected from Scripture by Charles Jennens (1700-1773)
Part I: The Advent of the Messiah
INSTRUMENTAL: Sinfony (Overture)
TENOR RECIT. & AIR: Comfort, ye my people Ev’ry valley shall be exalted
CHORUS: And the Glory of the Lord
BASS RECITATIVE: Thus saith the Lord
ALTO AIR: But who may abide the day of His coming?
CHORUS: And He shall purify
ALTO RECITATIVE: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive
ALTO AIR & CHORUS: O thou, that tellest good tidings to Zion
BASS RECIT. & AIR: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth The people that walked in darkness
CHORUS: For unto us a Child is born
INSTRUMENTAL: Pifa (Pastorale)
SOPRANO RECITATIVE: There were shepherds abiding in the field And lo, the angel of the Lord And the angel said unto them And suddenly there was with the angel
CHORUS: Glory to God in the highest
SOPRANO AIR: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
ALTO RECITATIVE: Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened
ALTO & SOPRANO DUET: He shall feed His flock like a shepherd
Come unto Him, all ye that labor
CHORUS: His yoke is easy
INTERMISSION
Part II: The Passion of the Christ
CHORUS: Behold the Lamb of God
ALTO AIR: He was despised and rejected of men
CHORUS: Surely He has borne our griefs And with His stripes we are healed All we, like sheep, have gone astray
TENOR RECITATIVE: All they that see Him, laugh Him to scorn
CHORUS: He trusted in God
TENOR RECIT. & AIR: Thy rebuke hath broken His heart He was cut off out of the land But Thou didst not leave His soul
CHORUS: Lift up your heads
SOPRANO AIR: How beautiful are the feet of Him Their sound is gone out
BASS AIR: Why do the nations so furiously rage together?
CHORUS: Let us break their bonds asunder
TENOR AIR Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron
CHORUS: Hallelujah
Part III: His Resurrection
SOPRANO AIR: I know that my Redeemer liveth
CHORUS: Since by man came death
BASS RECIT. & AIR: Behold, I tell you a mystery The trumpet shall sound
ALTO RECITATIVE: Then shall be brought to pass
ALTO & TENOR DUET: O death, where is thy sting?
SOPRANO AIR: If God be for us
CHORUS: Worthy Is the Lamb that was slain Blessing and honor Amen
Organ courtesy of Dr. Murray Somerville
Julian Perkins guest conductor
Julian Perkins is Artistic Director of Portland Baroque Orchestra in Oregon, Artistic Director of Cambridge Handel Opera, and Founding Director of the period-instrument ensemble Sounds Baroque.
Shortlisted for the 2021 Gramophone Award for his recording of Eccles’s Semele with the Academy of Ancient Music and Cambridge Handel Opera, Perkins has been praised as both conductor and keyboard soloist for his ‘‘demonic intensity’’ ( BBC Music Magazine Recording of the Month), ‘‘fluid and natural pacing’’ (Gramophone) and ‘‘verve and suavity’’ (Classical Music), giving ‘‘performances that reach to the heart of the music’’ (International Record Review).
He has conducted the Northern Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, Southbank Sinfonia, and opera productions for Bampton Classical Opera, Buxton International Festival, Cambridge Handel Opera, Kings Place, Netherlands Opera Academy, New Chamber Opera, New Kent Opera, and Snape Maltings.
As a keyboard player, Perkins performs regularly at the Salzburg Festival and with ensembles including the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Florilegium, and Orchestra of The Sixteen. He has appeared as solo harpsichordist for the Bayerische Staatsoper Munich, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and Welsh National Opera, among others. He features regularly on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show and In Tune, and has performed at Wigmore Hall, Lincoln Center, and Sydney Opera House. He has also premiered many works and co-commissioned pieces by Stephen Dodgson, Iain Farrington, and Héloïse Werner. Duo recitals include appearances for the Mozart Society of America, the Oxford Lieder Festival, and the Royal Opera House, with a wide range of distinguished singers and instrumentalists.
Conductor Bio
Perkins studied at Cambridge University, Schola Cantorum, Basle, the Royal Academy of Music, London, and privately with conductor David Parry and harpsichordist Trevor Pinnock. He gives masterclasses in the UK and abroad, and at the National Opera Studio in London.
Anna Dennis soprano
In concert, Anna Dennis has sung with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of St Luke’s in New York, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Orquestra Gulbenkian, Les Violons du Roy, Britten Sinfonia, and Sinfonietta Riga. She has sung Britten’s War Requiem at the Berlin Philharmonie, and Thomas Adès’s Life Story, accompanied by the composer, at New York’s White Light Festival. Recent highlights have included performing Antony Burgess’s setting of T.S. Eliot’s The Wasteland with Benedict Cumberbatch and Britten Sinfonia at the Charleston Festival, Bach’s Mein Herze Schwimmt im Blut with Kristian Bezuidenhout in Riga, Haydn’s The Seasons with Düsseldorfer Sinfoniker under Adam Fischer, and Handel’s Judas Maccabeus with AKAMUS at the Berlin Philharmonie.
Her numerous recordings include Elena Langer’s Landscape with Three People , the G RAMMY �-nominated Kastalsky Requiem with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s under Leonard Slatkin, and Handel’s Amadigi di Gaula with Early Opera Company under Christian Curnyn.
Her opera performances include Katie Mitchell’s New Dark Age at the Royal Opera House, Purcell’s The Fairy Queen at Drottningholms Slottsteater, Handel’s Rodelinda at the Göttingen Handel Festspiel, Mozart’s Idomeneo at Birmingham Opera, Damon Albarn’s Dr Dee at English National Opera, and roles in three Monteverdi operas during John Eliot Gardiner’s world tour of the trilogy. She recently created the title role in Tom Coult’s Violet at the Aldeburgh festival, and multiple roles in Sir David Pountney’s Purcell pasticcio Masque of Migh t for Opera North. Dennis studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and was the recipient of the 2023 Royal Philharmonic Society’s Singer award.
In the coming season she will sing the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute for Opera North, Nono’s Canti di Vita e d’Amore with BBC Symphony, Handel’s Orlando with the Academy of Ancient Music, and Mozart’s Mass in C minor with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
Diana Moore mezzo-soprano
Widely praised on both sides of the Atlantic for a voice with “thrilling technical bravura” (Gramophone) that is “warm, plush, full and eminently smooth, with an air of nobility and grace” (San Francisco Classical Voice), British mezzo-soprano Diana Moore is a firm favorite with orchestras and audiences alike for her “complete command of straightforward expressive singing” (American Handel Society). She enjoys a varied and international career of opera, oratorio, and concert performances, and is a popular soloist at many major music festivals.
Best known for her extensive experience with the Baroque repertoire, Moore’s approach — infused with a keen musical intelligence and “emotional depth” (The Guardian) has led to repeat engagements with many of the world’s leading classical and early-music ensembles, and collaborations with such eminent conductors as Nicholas McGegan, Marin Alsop, Laurence Cummings, Trevor Pinnock, and Sir Roger Norrington.
A recognised Handelian, Moore is a regular at many international Baroque Festivals. Highlights include the title role in Rinaldo , Sesto in Giulio Cesare , and Medoro in Orlando at Göttingen International Handel Festival; Storgé in Jephtha at London Handel Festival, Westminster Abbey, and with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; and Rinaldo at Prague’s National Theatre, Opéra Royal de Versailles, and Antwerp’s Vlaamse Opera.
Equally adept in later musical styles and genres, Moore has become a leading exponent of English music, both in oratorio, concert and recital work, and in particular in the music of Edward Elgar. She has performed The Dream of Gerontius at venues including York Minster, London’s Royal Albert Hall, and the Cathedrals of Ely, Gloucester, Winchester, and Coventry; and Sea Pictures at Gloucester and Guildford Cathedrals, St Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, and with San Francisco Ballet at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
Richard Pittsinger tenor
Praised by the New York Times for his “winning singing and youthful bearing,” American tenor Richard Pittsinger is quickly establishing himself as a leading performer of both early and modern repertoire. His 2024-25 season includes roles for the Boston Early Music Festival in both Telemann’s Don Quichotte and Kaiser’s Octavia , Lurcanio in Handel’s Ariodante for Boston Baroque, his Charlotte Symphony debut in Handel’s Messiah , the title role in Monteverdi’s Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in patria with Artek, and in summer 2025 he begins his tenure as a member of the 12th cohort of young artists in Bill Christie’s Jardin des Voix, singing Orphée/Ixion in Charpentier’s La Descente d’Orphée aux Enfers , and La Peinture in Charpentier’s Les Arts Florissants .
An artist of rare versatility whose performance experience spans music across four centuries, Pittsinger’s recent principal operatic roles include Céphale in Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre’s Céphale et Procris with the Boston Early Music Festival, Aminta in Handel’s Atalanta with Julliard Opera, Polinesso in Jonathan Dawe’s Being Ariodante with the Italian Academy, Orfeo in Luigi Rossi’s L’Orfeo with Julliard Opera, Lysander in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Julliard Opera, and “The Rocket” in Laura Karpman’s Wilde Tales at the Glimmerglass Festival.
Additional stage credits include Verdi’s Falstaff at the Aspen Music Festival (Dr. Caius), Handel’s Acis & Galatea (Damon & Corydon), Virgil Thomson’s The Mother of Us All (Andrew Johnson), and Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld (Mercury). As an Alvarez Young Artist at Garsington Opera in 2024, he covered the title role in Rameau’s Platée , under the baton of Paul Agnew.
Equally comfortable on the concert stage, Pittsinger has additionally appeared as tenor soloist with The Cecilia Chorus of New York, The Co-Cathedral at St. Joseph’s, as well as Julliard415. He has collaborated with artists including William Christie, Francesca Zambello, Richard Egarr, Gary Wedow, Mark Shapiro, Avi Stein, Mary Birnbaum, and Steven Osgood.
Hadleigh Adams baritone
New Zealand baritone Hadleigh Adams has amassed a body of work remarkable in its breadth. Committed to both the concert and opera stage, he has collaborated with some of the world’s finest artists.
On the concert stage Adams has performed as a soloist with the London Philharmonia Orchestra (Esa-Pekka Salonen), the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Gustavo Dudamel), the San Francisco Symphony (Michael Tilson Thomas), the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (Robert Spano), the Dallas Symphony (Fabio Luisi), the Houston Symphony (Jane Glover), and Philharmonia Baroque (Nicholas McGegan). Renowned for his Handel interpretations, he has performed Messiah more than 120 times.
In traditional operatic repertoire Adams has demonstrated great range: Ravel under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen, Bernstein under Marin Alsop, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Louis Langrée, Handel under Nicholas McGegan, Puccini under Nicola Luisotti, Mozart under the stage direction of Sir Thomas Allen, Handel under the stage direction of Christopher Alden, and Puccini under the stage direction of Les Misérables director John Caird. His European debut was at London’s Royal National Theatre in a staged production of Bach’s St Matthew Passion , playing the role of Jesus, and directed by Sir Jonathan Miller. With the San Francisco Opera alone he has appeared in 19 mainstage productions in more than 100 performances.
Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Adams is a former Merola Opera artist, San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow, and studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
SOPRANO
Christopher James Lees
Resident Conductor
Christopher Warren-Green Conductor Laureate
2024 · 2025 MUSICIAN ROSTER
FIRST VIOLINS
Calin Ovidiu Lupanu, Concertmaster
The Catherine & Wilton Connor Chair
Joseph Meyer,* Associate Concertmaster
Kari Giles, Acting Associate Concertmaster
Dustin Wilkes-Kim,
Acting Assistant Concertmaster
Susan Blumberg°°
Jane Hart Brendle
Cynthia Burton
Ayako Gamo
David Horak†
Lenora Leggatt
Jenny Topilow
Angela Watson†
Hanna Zhdan
SECOND VIOLINS
Oliver Kot, Principal
The Wolfgang Roth Chair
Kathleen Jarrell, Assistant Principal
The Pepsi-Cola Foundation of Charlotte Chair
Carlos Tarazona°
Monica Boboc
Martha Geissler
Sakira Harley
Tatiana Karpova
Ellyn Stuart
VIOLAS
Benjamin Geller, Principal
The Zoe Bunten Merrillt Principal Viola Chair
Kirsten Swanson†
Acting Assistant Principal
Matthew Darsey†
Ellen Ferdon
Wenlong Huang
Viara Stefanova
Ning Zhao
CELLOS
Jon Lewis, Principal
The Kate Whitner McKay Principal Cello Chair
Allison Drenkow, Assistant Principal
Alan Black, Principal Emeritus
Marlene Ballena
Jeremy Lamb
Amy Sunyoung Lee
Sarah Markle
DOUBLE BASSES
Jason McNeel, Acting Principal
Judson Baines, Assistant Principal
Justin Cheesman†
Jeffrey Ferdon
° Non-revolving position
°° Alternates between first and second violins
† Acting member of the Charlotte Symphony
‡ Funded by The Symphony Guild of Charlotte, Inc.
* On leave
This roster lists the full-time members of the Charlotte Symphony. The number and seating of musicians on stage varies depending on the piece being performed.
HARP
Andrea Mumm Trammell, Principal
The Dr. Billy Graham Chair
FLUTES
Victor Wang, Principal
The Blumenthal Foundation Chair
Amy Orsinger Whitehead
Erinn Frechette
PICCOLO
Erinn Frechette
OBOES
Timothy Swanson, Principal
The Leo B. Driehuys Chair‡
Erica Cice
Jamison Hillian†
Terry Maskin*
ENGLISH HORN
Erica Cice
CLARINETS
Taylor Marino, Principal
The Gary H. & Carolyn M. Bechtel Chair
Samuel Sparrow
Allan Rosenfeld
E ♭ CLARINET
Samuel Sparrow
BASS CLARINET
Allan Rosenfeld
BASSOONS
AJ Neubert, Principal
Joshua Hood
Nicholas Ritter
CONTRABASSOON
Nicholas Ritter
HORNS
Byron Johns, Principal
The Mr. & Mrs. William H. Van Every Chair
Andrew Fierova
Bradley Burford
The Robert E. Rydel, Jr. Third Horn Chair
Richard Goldfaden
Paige Quillen
TRUMPETS
Alex Wilborn, Principal
The Betty J. Livingstone Chair
Jonathan Kaplan*
Peter Stammer†
Gabriel Slesinger, Associate Principal
The Marcus T. Hickman Chair
TROMBONES
John Bartlett, Principal
Thomas Burge
BASS TROMBONE
Scott Hartman, Principal
TUBA
Colin Benton, Principal
The Governor James G. Martin Chair
TIMPANI
Jacob Lipham, Principal
The Robert Haywood Morrison Chair
PERCUSSION
Brice Burton, Principal
The CSO is a proud member of the League of American Orchestras.
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is one of the premier music organizations in the Southeastern United States and the oldest continuously operating symphony orchestra in the Carolinas. As Charlotte’s most active performing arts group, the CSO presents around 150 concerts each season, reaching more than 130,000 music lovers.
The 2024-25 season marks a transformative era under the dynamic leadership of newly appointed Music Director Kwamé Ryan. With 65 full-time musicians, the Symphony performs throughout the community in a variety of venues, from the Belk and Knight theaters to parks, breweries, community centers, schools, senior care centers, and places of worship. With its new mobile stage, CSO Roadshow, the Symphony extends its reach directly into neighborhoods, bringing live music to communities across the region.
Engaging with around 15,000 students each year, the Charlotte Symphony nurtures the next generation of musicians and music lovers through its four diverse youth orchestras, in-school education programs, instrument coaching, and Project Harmony — which offers free after-school lessons in music and life skills to over 200 students in under-resourced areas.
Founded in 1932, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra continues to play a vital cultural role in the region and remains committed to the belief that music, accessible to all, enriches and unites our community.
OUR MISSION
The Charlotte Symphony uplifts, entertains, and educates the diverse communities of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and beyond through exceptional musical experiences.
OUR VISION
Reaching out through the transformative power of live music, the Charlotte Symphony will be a civic leader, reflecting and uniting our region.
For more information, visit us online at charlottesymphony.org
George Frideric Handel
BORN: February 23, 1685 in Halle, Germany
DIED: April 14, 1759 in London, UK
Messiah HWV 56 (1741)
PREMIERE: April 13, 1742 in Dublin, Ireland
The creation of George Frideric Handel’s most beloved work, Messiah, took place during a challenging period in the composer’s life. The steady decline in London of the popularity of Italian opera had caused Handel tremendous financial hardship. In addition, Handel’s rigorous work schedule had taken a profound toll on the composer’s health. By the summer of 1741, a period of lethargy had set in. It was at this point that Handel received a libretto for a new work, an oratorio based upon the birth, life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The author of the libretto was Charles Jennens (1700-1773), who collaborated with Handel on several oratorios.
In July of 1741, Jennens wrote to a friend: Handel says he will do nothing next winter, but I hope I shall persuade him to set another scripture collection I have made for him and perform it for his own benefit in Passion Week. I hope he will lay out his whole genius and skill upon it, that the composition may excel all his former compositions, as the subject excels every other subject. The Subject is Messiah.
A portrait of Charles Jennens by Thomas Hudson from around 1740; now in the Handel House Museum.
Program Notes
Handel began composition of Messiah on August 22, 1741. There seems to be no question that the libretto, based upon the Old and New Testaments, proved to be a source of majestic inspiration. Handel, working at a lightning pace, composed Messiah in just 24 days.
Once Handel completed Messiah, he focused his attention upon Samson, another oratorio inspired by the Bible. It was during this period that Handel accepted an invitation to travel to Dublin for a series of concerts in aid of charity. In November, Handel set sail for Dublin, bringing with him several works for performance at the charity concerts. Among those works was Messiah.
The premiere of Messiah took place at Dublin’s New Music Hall in Fishamble Street on April 13, 1742. Three days prior to the performance, the Dublin Journal printed the following admonition:
Many ladies and gentlemen who are well-wishers to this noble and grand charity for which this oratorio was composed, request it as a favour, that the ladies who honour this performance with their presence would be pleased to come without hoops, as it will greatly increase the charity, by making room for more company.
Gentlemen were also requested to refrain from bringing their swords to the performance, also for the purpose of increasing the audience capacity.
The first page of the concluding chorus, "Worthy is the Lamb," from Handel’s original manuscript. (British Library, London)
The performance was a tremendous success. As the Dublin Journal reported:
(T)he best Judges allowed (Messiah) to be the most finished piece of music. Words are wanting to express the exquisite delight it afforded to the admiring crowded audience. The sublime, the grand, and the tender, adapted to the most elevated, majestic, and moving words, conspired to transport and charm the ravished heart and ear. It is but justice to Mr. Handel, that the world should know, he generously gave the money arising from this grand performance, to be equally shared by the Society for Relieving Prisoners, the Charitable Infirmary, the Mercer’s Hospital, for which they will ever gratefully remember his name…
The London premiere of Messiah , which took place at Covent Garden on March 23, 1743, was more problematic. It appears that the London public accorded Handel’s Messiah a mixed reception. However, at least according to one observer, those in attendance — including one very prominent member of the audience — were particularly moved by a portion of the oratorio. This resulted in the birth of a tradition that continues to this day: “When the chorus struck up ‘for the Lord God Omnipotent’ (in the ‘Hallelujah’ Chorus), they were so transported that they all together, with the King (who happened to be present), started up and remained standing till the chorus ended.”
In May of 1750, Handel agreed to present Messiah as a benefit for London’s Foundling Hospital. The performance venue of the Hospital’s chapel, coupled with the worthy cause, removed any possible objections. Charity concerts of Messiah became a yearly tradition at the Foundling Hospital.
On April 6, 1759, Handel made his final public appearance, conducting a London performance of Messiah . On April 13, Handel died at the age of 74. The funeral, held in Westminster Abbey, attracted an estimated 3,000 mourners. Three years later, the great church unveiled a monument to Handel, created by the French sculptor, Louis François Roubiliac. The monument depicts Handel, holding the score of Messiah . Overhead, an angel plays a lyre. The score is opened to the soprano solo that serves to begin the oratorio’s Third Part: “I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.”
Life-sized statue by Louis-François Roubiliac above Handel's grave at Poet’s Corner in the South Transept of Westminster Abbey, sculpted 1762. (Image © 2021 Dean & Chapter of Westminster)
BENEFACTOR CIRCLE
$100,000+
Jacqueline B. Mars
$50,000 – $99,999
Jane & Hugh McColl* Douglas Young
$25,000 – $49,999
Anonymous
Joan & Mick Ankrom
Ruth & Richard Ault
Dr. Milton & Arlene Berkman
Philanthropic Fund
Judith & Mark Brodsky
Roberta H. Cochran
Catherine & Wilton Connor*
Jean & Dick Cornwell
Susan Cybulski
J. Porter & Victoria Durham Linda & Bill Farthing
Karen Fox
Maria & John Huson
Richard Krumdieck & Sally Gregory
Patricia & Thrus Morton
Patrick J. O’Leary
Richard J. Osborne
Debbie & Pat Phillips
Kathy & Paul Reichs
Pat Rodgers
Carolyn Shaw
Andrea & Sean Smith
Melinda & David Snyder
$15,000 – $24,999
Anonymous (2)
Nicola & Emanuel Clark
Denise & Peter DeMaio
Ralph S. Grier
Betty P. & Jeffrey J. Lee Sandra Levine
Tanya & Steve Makris
We gratefully acknowledge these generous donors to the Charlotte Symphony Annual Fund. This list reflects gifts received between July 1, 2023 through November 1, 2024. * The CSO recognizes donors of exceptional generosity whose cumulative giving exceeds $1 million with the designation of Music Director Society.
DeDe & Alex McKinnon Ulrike & Alex Miles
Keith Oberkfell & Mica Post Oberkfell
Judy & Derek Raghavan
Sienne & Adam Taylor
Ken & Tara Walker
$10,000 – $14,999
Anonymous (2)
Jeannette & Francisco Alvarado
Joye D. Blount & Jessie J. Knight Jr.
Katharine & Frank Bragg
Mr. & Mrs. R. Alfred Brand III
Lynne & Colby Cathey
Margarita & Nick Clements
Jeanie & Tom Cottingham
Donna & Alvaro de Molina
Lisa & Carlos Evans
Robin & Christoph Feddersen
Eileen Friars & Scott Pyle
Janet M. Haack
Ginger Kelly
Elizabeth & Jay Monge
Robert Norville
Kelli & Michael Richardson
Rosalind S. Richardson
Sherry & Thomas Skains
Drs. Jennifer Sullivan & Matthew Sullivan
Ann & Michael Tarwater
Kelly & Neal Taub
Jill & Kevin Walker
Andromeda & John Williams
Lisa & Richard Worf
VIRTUOSO CIRCLE
$5,000 – $9,999
Wedge & Debbie Abels
Howard P. Adams & Carol B. McPhee
Paul & Kristen Anderson
Tiffany & Jason Bernd
Mr. James Biddlecome
In Loving Memory of Bernadette Zirkuli Biddlecome
Mary & Charles Bowman
Barbara & Twig Branch
Robin & William Branstrom
Shirley & Michael Butterworth
The Jack H. & Ruth C. Campbell Foundation
Glenda Colman & Floyd Wisner
Morgan & Brian Cromwell
Mary Anne Dickson
Peggy & Richard Dreher
David J.L. Fisk & Anne O’Byrne
William & Patricia Gorelick Family Foundation
Sidney & Amy Fletcher
Joan & Parker Foley
Carol & Ron Follmer
Patty & Alex Funderburg
Dr. Robert A. Gaines & Toni Burke
Caren & Charles Gale
Sarah & Frank Gentry
Laura & Marshall Gilchrist
Laurie & Barry Guy
Leigh & Watts Humphrey
Page & Ed Kizer
The Jenny Lillian Semans Koortbojian Trust in honor of Sally Trent Harris
Vivian & Robert Lamb
Anna & Lazlo Littmann
Leslie & Michael Marsicano
Susanne & Bill McGuire
Paula & Paul McIntosh
Susan & Loy McKeithen
Carolyn & Sam McMahon
Chuck Miller & Marcy Thailer
Vincent Phillips & Paul Pope
Kim & Torsten Pilz
Emily & Nima Pirzadeh
Ann & Fritz Rehkopf
Sara Garcés Roselli & Dan Roselli
Lindsay & Frank Schall
Laura & Michael Schulte
Ylida & Bert Scott
Mr. & Mrs. Harley F. Shuford, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Pope A. Shuford
Emily & Zack Smith
Chris & Jim Teat
Brienne Tinder & Thomas Lervik
Judith & Gary Toman
Mr. Herbert Verbesey In Memory of Tess Verbesey
Michael Waterford
Joan H. Zimmerman
Abby & Albert Zue
$3,500 – $4,999
Anonymous
Andrea & Alexander Bierce
Si and Michael Blake
Jan & Bob Busch
Mary & Phil Delk
Pat English & Clay Furches
Dick Metzler
Joan Morgan
Linda & Tony Pace
Karen & Edgar Whitener
$2,500 – $3,499
Anonymous
Harriet B. Barnhardt
Bill & Georgia Belk
Lee & Alan Blumenthal
Dr. & Mrs. O. Robert Boehm
Dr. William H. Carson
Brent Clevenger
Ann Thomas Colley
Dorothy & Mike Connor
Melissa Cornwell
Deborah J. Cox & Bob Szymkiewicz
Elizabeth & Christopher Daly in Memory of Betty Haggerty
Amy & Alfred Dawson
Peter De Arcangelis
Peggy & Charles Dickerson
Elizabeth Betty Eaton
Kara & Timothy Gallagher
Billy L. Gerhart in memory of Judith Gerhart
Heather & Kevin Gottehrer
Andrea & Todd Griffith
Katherine G. Hall
Ivan Hinrichs
Christy & Ben Hume
Fran & Greg Hyde
Peggy & Jim Hynes
Shirley & Bob Ivey
Nina & James Jackson
David S. Jacobson
Martha & Bruce Karsh
Dr. & Mrs. Christ A. Koconis
Meghan & Luis Lluberas
James Lynch
Dottie & Jim Martin
$2,500 – $3,499 (continued)
Rob Roy McGregor
Richard I. McHenry & Cynthia L. Caldwell
Dee Dee McKay
Posey & Mark Mealy
Debbie Miller & Tim Black
Eleanor W. Neal
Holly & Jason Norvell
Pamela Pearson & Charles Peach
Dr. Reta R. Phifer
Marshelette & Milton Prime
Kathleen D. Prokay
Beth & Drew Quartapella
Lisa and Robert R. Rollins, Jr.
Dr. & Mrs. Mahesh Sardesai
Suzy & Robert Schulman
Glenn Sherrill, Jr.
In Honor of Robin Branstrom
Nancy E. Simpson
Hazel & Murray Somerville
Patricia & Morris Spearman
Aleca & Joseph Stamey
Dottie Stowe in Loving Memory of Dickson Stowe
Dr. Mark R. Swanson
Dr. John A. Thompson, Jr. & Dr. Lee Rocamora
Jenny & Ken Tolson
Mindy & Don Upton
Susan & Paul Vadnais
Mary Claire & Dan Wall
PATRON CIRCLE
$1,500 – $2,499
Anonymous
Marcia Adams
Barbara & Dan Austell
Sharon Baker & Peter Moore
Merilyn & Craig Baldwin
Phillip J. Bischoff & Dawn Beatty-Batten
Drs. Iris Cheng & Daniel Uri
Rebecca & D. Mark Cody
Dorothy & Mike Connor
Dr. Kandi & Gary Deitemeyer
Martin Ericson, Jr.
Jenn & Taylor Gherardi
Carol & Joseph Gigler
Judith Greene
Angela M. & Michael D. Helms
Maureen & Daniel Haggstrom
Martha D. Jones
Helen & Gene Katz
Ginger Kemp
Dr. & Mrs. Randolph Mahnesmith
Anna Marriott
Rosemarie Marshall & Lee Wilkins
Janet & Peter Nixon
Caroline Olzinski
Helen & Arvind Patil
Jeanine & Naeem Qasim
Dr. John & Susan Rae
Anne & Mark Riechmann
Audrey & Donald Schmidt
Dr. Stephen P. Schultz & Donna Dutton
Jane Perry Shoemaker
Rebecca & Eric Smith
Ken Spielfogel & Richard Withem
Maxine & Robert Stein
Patricia & Morris Spearman
Tillie S. Tice
James H. Trexler & Kelly Zellars
Vera Watson Grant Webb
Linda & Craig Weisbruch
Pam West
Cricket Weston & David Molinaro
Elizabeth & Stephan Willen Deems Wilson
Deborra Wood & Russell Propst
Barbara Yarbrough
$1,000 – $1,499
Anonymous (5)
Michele & Ross Annable
Marc Aspesi & Paulette Isoldi
Dianne & Brian Bailey
Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln A. Baxter
Katie & Morgan Beggs
Katherine & John Beltz
Shirley W. Benfield
Donald H. & Barbara K. Bernstein Family Foundation
Ethan Blumenthal & Sara Kidd
Cristina & James Bolling
Marilyn & Herb Bonkovsky
Khary Brown
In Memory of Kyden Justice Brown
Jane & Larry Cain
Dr. & Mrs. Bill Chu & Jin Wang
Rebecca & D. Mark Cody
John Colton
Dr. Kilian Cooley
Ann F. Copeland
Kathleen Goldammer-Copeland & Mark Copeland
Dr. & Mrs. Mark Couture
Larry J. Dagenhart Gwin Dalton
Cheryl DeMaio
Judy & Bob Erb
Annual Fund Supporters
Heather
Melisa
Carol
Mariam
Holly
Susan
Sally
Gwen
Patricia
Wilma
Elizabeth
Lucy
Dr.
Sabine
Joan
Sally
William
Marjorie
Cindy
Marsha
Alice
Catherine
Libby
Sarah
Linda
Peter White
Bryan Wilhelm
Noni Williams
John Drew Witherington
Judith
John L. Bennett & Mr. Eric T. Johnson
Nancy & Sam Bernstein
Nicholas Bonevac
James Broadstone
Aram & Scott Bryan
Angie & Howard Bush
Mary Lou & Greg Cagle
Barbara F. Caine
Catherine P. Carstarphen
Amanda & Kevin Chheda
Dr. W. Gerald Cochran & Mr. Timothy D. Gudger
Thomas E. Collins, Jr.
Dr. & Mrs. Charles E. Cook
Jack Cook
Margie & Alpo Crane
Ellen M. Crowley
Todd Croy
Libby & David Currier
Margaret & George Dewey
Diane & Doug Doak
Kris & Thomas Duffy
Heather & Gray Dyer
Dr. John & Eileen Gardella
Jean & Stephen Geller
Walter H. Goodwin, Esq.
Linda & Dan Gordon
Cynthia Greenlee
Dr. & Mrs. Michael D. Heafner
Stefan Heinzelmann
Priscilla & Michael Johnson
Mary & Steven Kesselman
Nancy H. Kiser
Dorothy & Theodore Kramer
Scott Kupersmit
Jonathan Lamb
Barbara & Jerome Levin
Megan Levine
John J. Locke
Katherine & Mark Love
Dr. & Mrs. William W. MacDonald
Allison Malter
Leigh & Bruce Marsh
Paula & Francis Martin
Wendy & Ed Matthews
Tammy and Steve Matula
Jill Maxwell
Constance
The Encore Society
The Encore Society includes individuals who have made provisions for the CSO in their estate plans. We are honored to recognize their support:
Anonymous (3)
Geraldine I. Anderson†
Richard & Ruth Ault
Baldwin Family Trust
Barnhardt Thomas Trust
Lincoln A. Baxter & Helen M. Fowler
Larry & Joyce† Bennett
Dr. Milton & Arlene Berkman
Donald H. & Barbara K. Bernstein
Mark & Louise Bernstein†
Rosemary Blanchard†
Twig & Barbara Branch
Saul Brenner
Mike & Joan Brown†
Mrs. Joan Bruns† Jan & Bob Busch
Dr. Helen G. Cappleman, Ph.D.† Jim Cochran† Robin Cochran
Catherine & Wilton Connor
Tom Covington
Charles & Peggy Dickerson
Mr. Martin Ericson, Jr.
David J.L. Fisk & Anne P. O’Byrne
Peter & Ann† Guild
William G. &
Marguerite K. Huey Fund†
Dr. Nish Jamgotch, Jr.
Betty & Stanley Livingstone†
Lucille & Edwin Jones
Paula & Paul McIntosh
Nellie McCrory† M. Marie Mitchell† Cricket Weston & David Molinaro
Joan & Richard Morgan
Don C. Niehus
Eva Nove
Richard J. Osborne
Gwen Peterson & Tom Hodge
James Y. Preston†
Mrs. Clayton (Dusty) Pritchett
Ann & Fritz Rehkopf
Elizabeth Waring Reinhard
Nancy W. Rutledge
Mike Rutledge
Harriet Seabrook
Mr. & Mrs. William Seifert
Morris & Patricia Spearman
Bob & Maxine Stein
Dr. Ben C. Taylor III
Mr. & Mrs. Hans Teich
Cordelia G. Thompson
Tim Timson
Jenny & Ken Tolson
Ms. Deborra Wood & Mr. Russell Propst † Deceased
Corporate Partners
Government & Foundations
We are grateful for the following outstanding foundation and government funders:
The Trexler Foundation
Dowd Foundation, Inc.
The Dickson Foundation
Cole Foundation
The Jack H. & Ruth C. Campbell Foundation
The Mary Norris Preyer Fund
The George W. & Ruth R. Baxter Foundation
Barnhardt/Thomas Trust
Blumenthal Foundation
Comprehensive Campaign
We gratefully acknowledge these generous donors to the Charlotte Symphony Comprehensive Campaign. This list reflects gifts received through November 1, 2024.
$10,000,000+ Ban k of America The C.D. Spangler Foundation
$5,000,000 - $9,999,999
John S. & James L. Knight Foundation
$2,000,000 - $4,999,999 Jane & Hugh McColl The Leon Levine Foundation
$1,000,000 - $1,999,999
Michele & Ross Annable Atrium Health
Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. · EY · Contributions
$500,000 - $999,99 9
Anony mous · Arlene & Milton Berkman · Robin & Bill Branstrom Mary & Mike Lamach Rich Osborne Debbie & Pat Phillips Robert Haywood Morrison Foundation Trane Technologies Truist Financial Corporation
$250,000 - $499,999
Cathy Bessant The Dickson Foundation The Gambrell Foundation Moore & Van Allen PLLC · Janet Preyer Nelson
$100,000 - $249,000
Jeannette & Francisco Alvarado
Joan & Mick Ankrom · Ruth & Richard Ault NCFI/Barnhardt Foundation Wilton & Catherine
Robin Cochran Denise & Peter DeMaio The Dowd Foundation Linda & Bill Farthing Dr. Richard Krumdieck & Mrs. Sally Gregory · Elizabeth & Jay Monge Steelfab, Inc. Andromeda & John Williams
$50,000 - $99,999
Cresce nt Communities Karen Fox Ulrike & Alex Miles Chris & Jim Teat · Lisa & Richard Worf
$10,000 - $49,999
Anonym ous · Wedge & Debbie Abels · Mary Lou & Jim Babb · Tiffany & Jason Bernd Frank Bragg Shirley & Mike Butterworth Joye Blount & Jesse Knight, Jr. The Cato Corporation Margarita & Nick Clements Mary Delk
Caroline & Ben Dellinger III · David Fisk & Anne O’Byrne · Michael Marsicano Dede & Alex McKinnon Posey & Mark Mealy Larry & Dale Polsky
Steve & Wanda Phifer Judy & Derek Raghavan Eric & Shannon Reichard
Sara & Daniel Roselli · Melinda & David Snyder
Dr. John A. Thompson, Jr. & Dr. Lee Rocamora Jill & Kevin Walker
$5,000 - $9,999
Brian S. Cromwell Toni Burke & Bob Gaines Sarah & Frank Gentry
Carol & Joseph Gigler · Lucinda Nisbet Lucas · Melissa & Dennis McCrory
Cyndee Patterson William & Betty Seifert Peggy & Pope Shuford
Nancy E. Simpson Drs. Jennifer & Matthew Sullivan
2024-2025 OFFICERS
Richard Krumdieck, Chair
Ulrike Miles, Vice Chair
Melinda Snyder, Vice Chair
Linda McFarland Farthing, Immediate Past Chair
Kevin Walker, Treasurer
David Fisk, President & CEO
Kwamé Ryan, Music Director
2024-2025 DIRECTORS
Mick Ankrom
Joye D. Blount
Mike Butterworth
Nick Clements
Mary Delk*
Denise DeMaio
Sidney Fletcher
Kevin Gottehrer
Lucia Zapata Griffith
Byron Johns*
Valerie Kinloch
Stephen Makris
Alex McKinnon
Sara Garces Roselli
Ylida Scott
Jennifer Sullivan
Brienne Tinder*
Andrea Mumm Trammell*
Ken Walker
*ex-officio
2024-2025 TRUSTEES
Richard Osborne, Chair
Paul Anderson
Ruth & Richard Ault
Arlene & Milton Berkman
Jason & Tiffany Bernd
Andrea & Alexander Bierce
Mary & Charles Bowman
Frank Bragg
Robin & Bill Branstrom
Dr. William Charles & Dr. Cynthia Nortey
Derick & Sallie Close
Robin Cochran
Catherine & Wilton Connor
Jeanie & T. Thomas Cottingham III
Brian Cromwell
Susan Cybulski
Alessandra & Pasquale De Martino
Alvaro & Donna de Molina
Peggy & Richard Dreher
Lisa Hudson Evans
Karen Fox
Eileen Friars & Scott Pyle
Ralph S. Grier
Laurie Guy
Janet Haack
Reginald B. Henderson, Esq.
Mark & Whitney Jerrell
Jeff Lee Gov. James G. Martin
Jane & Hugh McColl
Susan & Loy McKeithen
Elizabeth & Jay Monge
Mica Oberkfell
Patrick J. O’Leary
Debbie & G. Patrick Phillips
Paul Reichs
Nancy & Charles Robson
Patricia A. Rodgers
M.A. Rogers
Lindsay & Frank Schall
Laura & Mike Schulte
Carolyn Shaw
Emily & Zach Smith
Bob & Marsha Stickler
Kelly & Neal Taub
Adam Taylor Braxton Winston
Richard Worf
Joan Zimmerman
Albert Zue
EXECUTIVE
David J. L. Fisk, President & CEO
Samantha Hackett, Executive Administrator
ARTISTIC OPERATIONS
Scott Freck, Vice President for Artistic Operations & General Manager
Carrie Graham, Senior Director of Artistic Planning
Tim Pappas, Director of Operations
Bart Dunn, Principal Music Librarian
Nixon Bustos, Senior Music Librarian
Emily Schaub, Assistant Music Librarian
Erin Eady, Senior Manager of Orchestra Personnel
Claire Beiter, Artistic Operations Manager
John Jarrell, Stage Manager
DEVELOPMENT
Shayne Doty, Vice President of Development
Mandy Vollrath, Director of Corporate & Institutional Relations
Libby Currier, Director of Individual Giving
Tammy Matula, Senior Manager of Development Operations
Jennifer Gherardi, Development Manager - Campaign & Special Events
Megan Woolbright, Annual Fund Manager
Noel Kiss, Advancement Associate
Josh Bottoms, Institutional Giving Coordinator
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Christian Drake, Vice President of Finance & Administration
Chazin & Company, Financial Services
Amy Hine, HR Coordinator & Office Administrator
Channing Williams, Accounting Associate
HUMAN RESOURCES
Maribeth Baker, Human Resources Counselor
LEARNING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Aram Kim Bryan, Vice President of Learning & Community Engagement
Dylan Lloyd, Senior Manager of Youth Orchestras
Mark Rockwood, Education & Community Programs Manager
Michaela Sciacca, Project Harmony Manager
Gavin Fulker, Education & Community Programs Assistant
Lily Moore, Youth Orchestras Assistant
Bria Alexander, Learning & Community Engagement Assistant
MARKETING & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Frank Impelluso, Vice President of Marketing & Audience Development
Deirdre Roddin, Director of Institutional Marketing & Communications
Nicole Glaza, Senior Manager of Digital Marketing
Laura Thomas, Senior Manager of Marketing & Audience Development
Chad Calvert, Visual Communications Manager
Meghan Starr, Patron Experience Manager
Garrett Whiffen, Ticketing Manager
Experience jaw-dropping feats as aerialists soar high above the orchestra, alongside awe-inspiring acrobatics set to your favorite holiday music. With thrilling new acts and beloved favorites, this annual event is sure to fill your family with the wonder and joy of the holiday season.
Chia-Hsuan Lin, conductor Cirque de la Symphonie