February 18
Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts & Civic Engagement
An evening of beloved masterworks interwoven with poetry celebrating the theme of love.
Welcome!
This month’s lineup at the Charlotte Symphony is a wonderful reflection of what makes live music so powerful — it meets us where we are. Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening with Schumann’s Piano Concerto on Valentine’s weekend, a lively escape to the rhythms of Havana Nights, a chance to explore the sounds of Charlotte with your family at Our Musical Neighborhood, or a laidback evening with friends at the final On Tap of the season, there’s something for everyone in February.
At the end of the month, we take a bold step into new territory at Blume Studios with Become Ocean, a breathtaking immersive experience presented in collaboration with Blumenthal Arts, the Knight Foundation, and the N.C. Aquarium Society. With 360-degree sound that ebbs and flows and lighting that shimmers like sunlight on the surface of the water, this performance will make you feel as though you’re submerged in the vast expanse of the ocean. It’s an opportunity to experience John Luther Adams’s Pulitzer Prizewinning work in a completely new and innovative way.
Each of these performances is a reminder of the many ways music connects us — whether by sparking emotion, celebrating our city’s unique soundscape, or offering new perspectives on the world around us. However you choose to experience the Symphony this month, we’re grateful to share it with you.
David Fisk President & CEO
Laura Kratt, Executive Director
Kristof Leopold, Technical Director
Liz Ball, Patron Services Manager
Amanda Mullen, Media Specialist
Jane Wiley, Media Specialist
Stephanie Roman, Marketing Coordinator
Concert Program
THE NINETY-THIRD SEASON
R omantic Expressions
Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Sandra Levine Theatre at Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts & Civic Engagement
Christopher James Lees, conductor
GEORGES BIZET
Suite No. 1 from Carmen II. Intermezzo
poet: Prof. Julie Funderburk “Bonfire” (unrequited love)
poet: Prof. Charles Israel
GABRIEL FAURÉ
Masques et Bergamasques, Op. 112
Overture
“Holy Sonnet 14” (exaggerated love)
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Clair de lune
poet: Prof. Shawn Bowers “Biophilia Nocturne” (love of nature and moon)
(continued next page)
R omantic Expressions
poet: Emily Allison
EDWARD ELGAR
(continued)
Variations on an Original Theme (“Enigma”), Op. 36
VIII. (W.N.) Allegretto
IX. (Nimrod) Adagio
“an american childhood, for sophia—” (platonic love/friendship)
poet: Nolan Kehrli
JOHANN STRAUSS, Jr.
On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Waltzes, Op. 314
“I Know Nothing of Music” (musical friendship)
poet: Mikey Biesecker
EDWARD ELGAR
Serenade in E minor for String Orchestra, Op. 20
I. Allegro piacevole
“A Single Letter to a Long-Distance Lover” (domestic love)
poet: Katja Haarstick
PIETRO MASCAGNI
Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
“Embers of a Dying Heart” (tragic love)
poet: Prof. Morri Creech
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy
“The Choice” (romantic love)
CONCERT DURATION: Approximately 90 minutes, without intermission.
Christopher James Lees resident conductor
Emerging American conductor Christopher James Lees brings passionate and nuanced orchestral performances to the stage, a fierce commitment to contemporary music, and a natural charisma to audiences all around the world.
Since 2018, Mr. Lees has served as Resident Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra. In addition to the more than 70 annual concert appearances with the CSO, he has annually stepped in to conduct Subscription Classical performances, including two Gala concerts with legendary artists and Grammy Award-winners Branford Marsalis and Rhiannon Giddens, respectively.
An active guest conductor, Mr. Lees has conducted or returned for performances with the New York, Los Angeles, and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as the Houston, Detroit, New World, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Fort Worth, North Carolina, Portland, Flint, Toledo, and Winston-Salem Symphonies. Additional engagements have taken him to the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Orchestra de Chambre de Paris, Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, and the Music in the Mountains Festival and Festival Internacional de Inverno de Campos do Jordão in Brazil.
Only the second American to be named a Gustavo Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Mr. Lees made his debut with the orchestra in April 2013 and returned for concerts in February 2015.
With the New York Philharmonic, St. Louis and Atlanta Symphonies, among others, Mr. Lees has served as an assistant conductor for the world’s leading conductors, including Gustavo Dudamel, Paavo Järvi, Herbert Blomstedt, Leonard Slatkin, David Robertson, Robert Spano, Marin Alsop, Pablo Heras-Casado, Stéphane Denève, Susanna Mälkki, and Nicholas McGegan.
Additionally, Mr. Lees was named Music Director of the Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra in 2023.
After two summers of study with Robert Spano at the Aspen Music Festival, Mr. Lees was named winner of both the 2011 James Conlon Conducting Prize and the 2012 Aspen Conducting Prizes, respectively. In 2013, Mr. Lees returned for a third summer as assistant conductor for the Aspen Music Festival and School.
An active pianist, and equally comfortable in the opera pit, Mr. Lees has served as Music Director or Assistant Conductor for a wide array of operas: Verdi’s Aida (Atlanta Symphony), Britten’s Peter Grimes, and John Harbison’s The Great Gatsby (Aspen Opera Theatre Center), Louis Andriessen’s De Materie and Philip Glass’ the CIVIL warS (Los Angeles Philharmonic), Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Mark Adamo’s Little Women (University of Michigan Opera Theatre), and Nino Rota’s Il Capello di paglia di Firenze (AJ Fletcher Opera Institute).
A recipient of a Career Assistance Grant from the Solti Foundation US, Mr. Lees was also chosen for showcase on the Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation National Conductor Preview, hosted by the League of American Orchestras and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.
A dedicated advocate for music of our time, Mr. Lees has premiered more than 150 works by a diverse range of composers, and collaborated closely with Pulitzer Prize winners John Adams, William Bolcom, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Joseph Schwantner, Steven Stucky, Caroline Shaw, Roger Reynolds, and Julia Wolfe. An equally passionate advocate for music education, Mr. Lees has brought inspirational energy to student orchestras across the country, leading ensembles from the Colburn School, the Shepherd School at Rice University, and at the New England and Oberlin Conservatories.
A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Lees holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan, and has studied conducting with both Larry Rachleff and Robert Spano, as well as having participated in masterclasses with Lorin Maazel, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gustav Meier, and Jorma Panula.
When not performing, Mr. Lees can be found riding roller coasters with his nine-year-old son, reading through the stack of books by his nightstand, or training for his next World Majors marathon.
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
Marlene Ballena
Jeremy Lamb
Norbert Lewandowski†
Sarah Markle
Oksana McCarthy†
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.
Musician Spotlight
Nicholas Ritter
Member of the CSO since June 2023 · Received tenure Nov 2024
HOMETOWN: Vienna, Virginia
Fun Facts
• If Nicholas could meet any composer, he’d love to ask how Jean Sibelius drew inspiration from the world around him and shaped it into music.
• Outside of work, Nicholas enjoys hiking in the mountains and takes a few weeks each year to go backpacking.
• If he weren’t a professional musician, Nicholas might be a librarian. He spent several summers working in a library handling old and rare materials and found it fascinating.
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 more than 10,000 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.
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.
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. For more information, visit us online at charlottesymphony.org
T H A N K Y O U
F O R S U P P O R T I N G
At Queens, we believe that no matter what degrees or skills are sought, a well-rounded education includes the arts. Elevating the student experience is a central goal of Arts at Queens. We are grateful to our arts at Queens Members for helping make this possible!
U A R D I A N
Sally and Brian Bridgford
Sandra Levine
Sam and Carolyn G McMahon
BENEFACTOR
Georgia and Bill Belk
Kathy and Peter Browning
Alexandra E Butler
Joye D Blount and Jessie J Knight
Siu Challons-Lipton and Jordan Lipton
Dr. & Mrs. Herb Clegg
Daphne Glorian-Solomon and Eric Solomon
Audean and Berkley Godehn
Jerry and Gaile Greenhoot
Barbara Karro and Bill Gorelick
PATRON
Natascha Bechtler
G. Peter Macon
Kathy and Bill McCollum
M A Rogers
Mary Claire and Dan Wall
Tamea Price
Harriet Seabrook
Claudia and Andy Heath
Barbara Laughlin
Kathy and Bill McCollum
Susan McConnell and Josephine Hicks
Charles and Emilia Migliaccio Doran
Susan and Bob Salvin
Emily Seelbinder and Lydia Edsell
Ann and Michael Tarwater
Sandi O. and Ben Thoman
Will and Dorothy Trotter
Dorothea West and Jim Levesque
Martha and Chip Whitfield
Tickets sales only cover a fraction of the cost of the programs and daily operations of the Gambrell Center With our annual membership, outstanding concerts, plays, readings, exhibitions, and educational programs will continue to grow During the 24-25 season, our members make it possible to provide two residencies, hands-on learning experiences and workshops for students attending Queens and the Charlotte Mecklenburg school system
Won’t you become a member? To learn more, visit:
t t p s : / / w w w q
is sponsored, in part, by WFAE and the Infusion Fund and its generous donors
Multi-million Dollar Commitment
City of Charlotte
$1.5 million and above
Bank of America
C D Spangler Foundation / National Gypsum Company
John S and James L Knight Foundation
Trane Technologies
$600,000 - $1 million
Albemarle Foundation
Atrium Health Barings
Duke Energy Honeywell
JELD-WEN, Inc
LendingTree Foundation
Lowe’s Companies, Inc
Novant Health
Red Ventures
Truist
$300,000-$600,000
Ally Financial
The Centene Charitable Foundation
Childress Klein Properties
Coca-Cola Consolidated
Deloitte EY
The Gambrell Foundation
Moore & Van Allen
PwC
Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P A
Rodgers Builders
Wells Fargo
Up to $300,000
Fifth Third Bank
Foundation For The Carolinas
Deidre and Clay Grubb
Leslie and Michael Marsicano
Jane and Hugh McColl
Nucor Corporation
PNC Bank
Premier, Inc
Jane and Nelson Schwab
We gratefully acknowledge these generous donors to the Charlotte Symphony Annual Fund. This list reflects gifts received between July 1, 2023 through February 1, 2025.
BENEFACTOR CIRCLE
$100,000+
Jacqueline B. Mars
$50,000 – $99,999
$25,000 – $49,999
& Mick Ankrom
& Richard Ault
Milton & Arlene Berkman
$15,000 – $24,999
Anonymous (2)
Joye D. Blount & Jessie J. Knight Jr.
& Christoph Feddersen
$10,000 – $14,999
Anonymous (2)
Katharine & Frank Bragg
Mr. & Mrs. R. Alfred Brand III Lynne & Colby Cathey
Betty P. & Jeffrey J. Lee
In Loving Memory of Lopez-Ibanez from Lina & Enrique Lopez-Ibanez
Drs. Jennifer Sullivan & Matthew Sullivan
Ann & Michael Tarwater
Jill & Kevin Walker Andromeda & John Williams
Lisa & Richard Worf
VIRTUOSO CIRCLE
$5,000 – $9,999
Wedge & Debbie Abels
Howard P. Adams & Carol B. McPhee
Jeannette & Francisco Alvarado
Paul & Kristen Anderson
The Charlotte Assembly
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
Glenda Colman & Floyd Wisner
Morgan & Brian Cromwell
Mary Anne Dickson
David J.L. Fisk & Anne O’Byrne
William & Patricia Gorelick
Family Foundation
Sidney & Amy Fletcher
Joan & Parker Foley
Carol & Ron Follmer
Dr. Robert A. Gaines & Toni Burke
Caren & Charles Gale
Sarah & Frank Gentry
Laura & Marshall Gilchrist
Laurie & Barry Guy
Leigh & Watts Humphrey
The Jenny Lillian Semans Koortbojian Trust in honor of Sally Trent Harris
Vivian & Robert Lamb
Anna & Lazlo Littmann
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
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
Phillip J. Bischoff & Dawn Beatty-Batten
Andrea & Alexander Bierce
Si and Michael Blake
Jan & Bob Busch
Mary & Phil Delk
Pat English & Clay Furches
Reginald B. Henderson, Esq.
Dick Metzler
Linda & Tony Pace
Susan & Paul Vadnais
Karen & Edgar Whitener
$2,500 – $3,499
Anonymous
Harriet B. Barnhardt
Bill & Georgia Belk
Si & Michael Blake
Lee & Alan Blumenthal
Dr. & Mrs. O. Robert Boehm
Frances & Herbert Browne
The Jack H. & Ruth C. Campbell Foundation
Dr. William H. Carson
Brent Clevenger
Ann Thomas Colley
Dorothy & Mike Connor
Deborah J. Cox & Bob Szymkiewicz
Elizabeth & Christopher Daly in Memory of Betty Haggerty
Amy & Alfred Dawson
Peter De Arcangelis
Cheryl DeMaio
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
Megan & Brendan Hoffman
Christy & Ben Hume
Fran & Greg Hyde
Peggy & Jim Hynes
Shirley & Bob Ivey
David S. Jacobson
Martha & Bruce Karsh
Dr. & Mrs. Christ A. Koconis
Meghan & Luis Lluberas
James Lynch
Dottie & Jim Martin
Rob Roy McGregor
Richard I. McHenry & Cynthia L. Caldwell
Dee Dee McKay
$2,500 – $3,499 (continued)
Posey & Mark Mealy
Debbie Miller & Tim Black
Eleanor W. Neal
Holly & Jason Norvell
Pamela Pearson & Charles Peach
Dr. Reta R. Phifer
Kathleen D. Prokay
Lisa and Robert R. Rollins, Jr.
Suzy & Robert Schulman
Glenn Sherrill, Jr. In Honor of Robin Branstrom
Nancy E. Simpson
Hazel & Murray Somerville
Patricia & Morris Spearman
Ken Spielfogel & Richard Withem
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
Mary Claire & Dan Wall
Deborra Wood & Russell Propst
PATRON CIRCLE
$1,500 – $2,499
Anonymous
Marcia Adams
Sharon Baker & Peter Moore
Merilyn & Craig Baldwin
Katie & Morgan Beggs
Drs. Iris Cheng & Daniel Uri
Rebecca & D. Mark Cody
Dorothy & Mike Connor
Jean E. Davis & Robert A. Metzger
Dr. Kandi & Gary Deitemeyer
Elizabeth Betty Eaton Martin Ericson, Jr.
Jenn & Taylor Gherardi
Carol & Joseph Gigler
Judith Greene
Karen Gunther
Angela M. & Michael D. Helms
Maureen & Daniel Haggstrom
Martha D. Jones
Helen & Gene Katz
Ginger Kemp
Michael Lamach
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
Brendan Reen
Audrey & Donald Schmidt
Dr. Stephen P. Schultz & Donna Dutton
Anjan Shah
Jane Perry Shoemaker
Katy & Raleigh Shoemaker
Rebecca & Eric Smith
Patricia & Morris Spearman
Maxine & Robert Stein
Jean Summerville
Tillie S. Tice
James H. Trexler & Kelly Zellars
Vera Watson
Grant Webb
Linda & Craig Weisbruch
Pam West
Cricket Weston & David Molinaro
Bryan Wilhelm
Elizabeth & Stephan Willen Deems Wilson
Barbara Yarbrough
$1,000 – $1,499
Anonymous (5)
Michele & Ross Annable
Marc Aspesi & Paulette Isoldi
Dianne & Brian Bailey
Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln A. Baxter
Katherine & John Beltz
Shirley W. Benfield
Donald H. & Barbara K. Bernstein
Family Foundation
Sam Blackmon
Ethan Blumenthal & Sara Kidd
Marilyn & Herb Bonkovsky
Jodie & Erik Bowen
Khary Brown In Memory of Kyden Justice Brown
Jane & Larry Cain
Amanda & Kevin Chheda
Dr. & Mrs. Bill Chu & Jin Wang
John Colton
Dr. Kilian Cooley
Ann F. Copeland
Kathleen Goldammer-Copeland & Mark Copeland
Dr. & Mrs. Mark Couture
Larry J. Dagenhart
Gwin Dalton
Judy & Bob Erb
Heather & Thomas Finke
Melisa & Frank Galasso
Carol & Joseph Gigler
Mariam Abdul Hamid & Ferd Davis
Annual Fund Supporters
Joyce
Marsha
Libby
Angie & Howard Bush
Mary Lou & Greg Cagle
Barbara F. Caine
Catherine P. Carstarphen
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
Kate & Trae Fletcher
Dr. John & Eileen Gardella
Jean & Stephen Geller
Stacy & Pete Gherardi
Walter H. Goodwin, Esq.
Linda & Dan Gordon
Cynthia Greenlee
Gloria Gunst
Dr. & Mrs. Michael D. Heafner
Stefan Heinzelmann
Priscilla & Michael Johnson
Mary & Steven Kesselman
Nancy H. Kiser
Moira Klein
Dorothy & Theodore Kramer
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
Jill Maxwell
Constance & Kiran Mehta
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 Charlotte Assembly
The Jack H. & Ruth C. Campbell Foundation
The Mary Norris Preyer Fund
The George W. & Ruth R. Baxter Foundation
Barnhardt/Thomas Trust
For
Comprehensive Campaign
We gratefully acknowledge these generous donors to the Charlotte Symphony Comprehensive Campaign. This list reflects gifts received through February 1, 2025.
$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 Howard C. & Margaret G. Bissell Foundation Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. · EY · Contributions
Falfurrias
& Susan McKeithen Novant Health
$500,000 - $999,99 9
Anony mous Arlene & Milton Berkman Robin & Bill Branstrom Deloitte
Mary & Mike Lamach · Rich Osborne · Debbie & Pat Phillips · M.A. Rogers
Robert Haywood Morrison Foundation Trane Technologies Truist Financial Corporation
$250,000 - $499,999
Cathy Bessant The Dickson Foundation The Gambrell Foundation The Gorelick Family Foundation · Moore & Van Allen PLLC · Janet Preyer Nelson Betsy Fleming & Ed Weisiger
$100,000 - $249,000
Jeannette & Francisco Alvarado Joan & Mick Ankrom · Ruth & Richard Ault NCFI/Barnhardt Foundation · Catherine & Wilton Connor · 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 · Eileen Friars & Scott Pyle Ulrike & Alex Miles Chris & Jim Teat Lisa & Richard Worf
$10,000 - $49,999
Anonymous · 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 · Carlos & Lisa Evans · David Fisk & Anne O’Byrne
Bill & Carol Lorenz · Leslie & Michael Marsicano · Virginia & Chan Martin
Dede & Alex McKinnon · Posey & Mark Mealy · Dale & Larry Polsky
Wanda & Steve Phifer · Judy & Derek Raghavan · Shannon & Eric Reichard
Sara & Daniel Roselli · Emily & Zach Smith · 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 · Dee Dee & William Maxwell
Melissa & Dennis McCrory · Cyndee Patterson · Betty & William Seifert
Peggy & Pope Shuford · Nancy E. Simpson · Drs. Jennifer & Matthew Sullivan
Martha Ann & Craig Wardlaw
2024-2025 OFFICERS
Richard Krumdieck, Chair
Ulrike Miles, Vice Chair
Melinda Snyder, Vice Chair
Linda McFarland Farthing, Immediate Past Chair
Kevin Walker, Treasurer
Denise DeMaio, Secretary
David Fisk, President & CEO
Kwamé Ryan, Music Director
2024-2025 DIRECTORS
Mick Ankrom
Joye D. Blount
Krisha Blanchard
Mike Butterworth
Nick Clements
Mary Delk*
Sidney Fletcher
Carrie Galloway
Lucia Zapata Griffith
Byron Johns*
Valerie Kinloch
Stephen Makris
Alex McKinnon
Juliette Pryor
Sara Garces Roselli
Lindsay Schall
Ylida Scott
Cameron Sherrill
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
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
Stacie McGinn
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
Frank Schall
Laura & Mike Schulte
Carolyn Shaw
Emily & Zach Smith
Will Sparks
Bob & Marsha Stickler
Kelly & Neal Taub
Adam Taylor
Chris & Jim Teat
Elizabeth & Steve Willen
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
Meghan 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
The Grammy Award winning Passion for Bach and Coltrane pairs Imani Winds, the poet A.B. Spellman, Harlem Quartet, and a jazz piano trio to synthesize classical and jazz styles, highlighting the gifts of all the performers onstage. Passion interweaves orated poems with Bach’s Goldberg Variations and John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme in a manner inspired by J.S. Bach’s Passion settings.
Jeff Scott selected one masterwork by each composer Bach’s Goldberg Variations and John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme and used each as source material to construct a mosaic tapestry around the drama and imagery in Spellman's text Pensive, ethereal moments are punctuated by Bach, while the tone for moody, dark passages is set by Coltrane's work Winner of the 2024 Grammy for Best Classical Compendium Album
