August, 2011
Letter from our President
Dear Music Lovers,
How exciting it is to celebrate our 35th Anniversary! This is a very celebratory year - the 150th for Transylvania County, 75th for Brevard Music Center and 35th for Brevard Philharmonic. The numbers speak for themselves. Music has become essential to the identity of our community. Brevard Philharmonic has come a long way both in quality and in support. Every one of you has made this possible. The Board of Directors joins me in thanking you.
As you can see from the program we have a fabulous celebratory season planned for you, with some unique offerings, beginning with our Tribute to Transylvania County and ending with a stage version of Porgy and Bess. We hope you will not miss a single concert and that you will share the joy by bringing your friends. Brevard Philharmonic's goal is to fill Scott Concert Hall at our performances, spreading the word about our fine orchestra and helping to make The Porter Center a venue that music lovers everywhere will recognize.
I want to gratefully acknowledge our new ancillary organization, C-Notes, the brain child of Board member, Renee Braun. It will further enable Brevard Philharmonic to present exceptional programs. Financial support ensures creative programming. Maestro Portnoy has given us a taste of what that can mean. Additional rehearsals and attracting the best musicians will continue to raise that bar of excellence.
We will also continue to bring outstanding music experiences into Transylvania County elementary schools. Mary Sauerteig, with the help of other Board members, will be coordinating almost twenty performance/demonstrations for our Music in the Schools outreach. Sharing the power and beauty of music with our children enriches them and helps to secure our future.
In the coming year, Brevard Philharmonic's Board of Directors hopes to develop partnerships and reach out into the community in many ways, including the building of a volunteer corps. There is much to do to present a five-concert series plus raise the funds to make it possible. When it takes more than $17,000 to produce every performance, we can use all the help we can get.
I want to thank Dr. Portnoy and past president, Joan Yarbrough, for the incredible job they have done these last few years to bring Brevard Philharmonic to this celebration point. We look forward to their invaluable artistic leadership continuing into our future. This next year will be a challenge and a pleasure for the Board's leadership. We welcome new Board members, Ed Tisdale and Kristine McCreery, and will count on the sustaining support of those who have been with the organization for years.
Please take the time to review our website, www.brevardphilharmonic.org and our newsletter, which will keep you abreast of our current activities.
Lets Celebrate!!
Virginia Ramsey (Jinks)
President, Board of Directors
