4 minute read
Fabulous at 40
will fill the air as we move into autumn.
Not only are the talents of our marching bands on display at football fields across the region, but concert series get underway for The Coastal Symphony of Georgia and Golden Isles Live, and PorchFest makes its return to Historic Downtown Brunswick. Treat your ears and your soul by embracing these melodious moments.
THE COASTAL SYMPHONY OF GEORGIA Fabulous at 40!
Forty years ago, a seed was planted in the Golden Isles. That seed has grown and blossomed into a premier musical organization offering the very best in symphonic music to our community. “The Coastal Symphony of Georgia is a great story,” says Sue Cansler, past president 2010-2012. establish the Brunswick Community Orchestra. Cansler says the idea was “to provide young music students with the opportunity to play in an orchestral setting.” In 1994, it was renamed The Coastal Symphony of Georgia (CSG) and professional conductors were hired to direct the community-based orchestra. A Youth Symphony was born under the CSG umbrella in 2005 and later became its own entity in 2013. Meanwhile, the CSG, under the leadership of Maestro Luis Haza, became a fully professional orchestra in 2013. “For a community our size, we are fortunate indeed to have a truly first-rate symphony,” notes Cansler.
So, what is in store for the 2022-2023 celebratory season? According to current President, Kern Baker, it will be “another journey of musical discovery” under the baton of Music Director and Conductor, Michelle Merrill. There will be three concerts at Brunswick High School, and
one at Wesley United Methodist Church. Audiences will again hear works from old masters and newer composers alike. “I always look for music to feed the soul while combining the old with the new or not as well known,” explains Merrill.
Opening Night, October 3rd will feature a celebration of life, a busy marketplace, and the first successful symphony written by a woman. Amy Beach’s Symphony in E minor, Gaelic, written in 1896, expresses what she calls “the simple, rugged, and unpretentious beauty” of Irish music.
The November 7th concert will bring the audience music from an exciting new composer, a sweet expression of love from Wagner, and the brilliance of Beethoven in his Symphony No. 3, Eroica. The symphony marked the beginning of the Romantic period in classical music.
Moving into the New Year, patrons can look forward to hearing two gifted and exciting soloists. On February 13th, International violist Brett Deubner will join the orchestra for Samarthana for Viola and Orchestra, written by young Swedish composer Johan Hugosson. His music has been described as both moving and joyful with memorable melodies.
The May 8th concert will feature CSG’s principal flutist, Les Roettges playing Carl Reinecke’s Flute Concerto in D major. The piece allows the flutist to take center stage throughout, and Roettges says the composition has been on his music stand since June. “It is more than just practicing the notes,” he says, “but rather living with a piece of music like this to really develop a clear idea of how I would like it to go.”
The 40th Season will also see the return of the CSG’s popular SoundBites concerts. These are small ensemble performances in intimate settings allowing attendees to listen to music while enjoying light refreshments and meeting the musicians. “This helps audience members get to know the musicians a bit, and show the human side of the orchestra,” says musician, Kevin Casseday. With Kevin on bass and his wife Laurie on cello, the couple played a SoundBite staged inside an art gallery. “We had a blast performing for the group of patrons gathered that evening.”
Also, a special Christmas Concert featuring the popular Jacoby Brass will be performed at Wesley UMC on December 4. The quintet performed at a festive Christmas Concert in Gascoigne Park in December 2020 as part of CSG’s outdoor concert series. Their personalities and talent are always displayed in their performances.
None of the success of the last 40 years could have been accomplished without the support and enthusiasm of CSG’s patrons, donors, advertisers, sponsors, and volunteer “working” boards of directors. Longtime director, Creta Carter Nichols heads up CSG’s hard-working ad sales team. Having had a “tremendous immersion in music” from a very early age, “it is easy for me to sell what I really believe in,” she says. Nichols also notes how much local businesses appreciate having a symphony in the Golden Isles.
The past 40 years have seen that first small seed nourished by a community determined to see it blossom into the very best in symphonic music for the Golden Isles. “We are grateful to those who have gone before,” says President Baker, “and we are so excited about providing world class music in the years ahead.”
The mission of The Coastal Symphony of
Georgia is to engage, enrich, and inspire the community through artistically vibrant musical performances. For more information or to order season tickets, call 912.634.2006 or visit coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org.
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