Contact:  Meg Whalen, Director of Public Relations
E: megw@charlottesymphony.org
P: 704-714-5114
W: www.charlottesymphony.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            JANUARY 20, 2010

Charlotte Symphony to Add Performances of the Debbie Phillips Classical Concerts for Students
Symphony Responds to Strong Demand from Schools

In response to strong interest from local schools, the Charlotte Symphony announced today that it will perform two Debbie Phillips Classical Concerts for Students in April. These concerts will be open to all students – public, private, and homeschooled – in grades 3 through 8.

Since the 1950s, the Charlotte Symphony has performed education concerts free of charge for local schoolchildren, with funding through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) system, augmented last year by the creation of the Debbie Phillips Fund for the Symphony with a major endowment gift by Debbie and G. Patrick Phillips.

In 2009, however, CMS budget cuts led to the suspension of the Symphony’s concerts for all CMS fourth and fifth graders this school year.

“We are delighted to see the strong demand demonstrated by individual schools for these programs, allowing us to reinstate a limited number of performances this year,” said Jonathan Martin, Executive Director. “For many students, a Charlotte Symphony education concert is their first, and in some cases only, live orchestral experience. As we strengthen our service to the community, we are committed to working with CMS to reinstate funding and rebuilding a full schedule of educational programs, available to children at no cost. During this transition, through the generosity of the Debbie Phillips Fund for the Symphony, we are pleased to be able to offer these two performances for a low field-trip fee.”

The theme of the concerts, to be offered on Wednesday, April 14, at Ovens Auditorium, is “Celebrate America!”  Guest conductor Kelly Corcoran, assistant conductor of the Nashville Symphony, will lead the orchestra in works by Copland, Ellington, Bernstein, and Ives, among others.

Tickets will be available beginning February 1. Interested schools and homeschooled families should contact Charlotte Symphony Group Sales Manager Joan Foley at 704-714-5119.

The Charlotte Symphony is committed to broad educational outreach. This season, the Charlotte Symphony’s educational activities include long-range, curriculum-based programs in four CMS schools (Pinewood Elementary, Nathanial Alexander Elementary, Piedmont Open IB Middle, and Northwest School of the Arts), an extensive college educational project (Orchestra on Campus), and two youth orchestras. For more information, visit www.charlottesymphony.org.

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