SAVANNAH, GA – DECEMBER 3, 2018 Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) is thrilled to be recognized for its dedication to music education through their Orchestra Lab Program in partnership with SCCPSS at the Superintendent’s second annual Gala for the Arts.  This prestigious event will take place on Friday, December 7, 2018 at The Yamacraw Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Garrison School located at 649 West Jones Street.  SCCPSS Superintendent Dr. Ann Levett, will honor SPO with the Performing Arts award alongside the City of Savannah with the Cultural Arts award and Telfair Museums with the Inspire award.  This black-tie reception and award ceremony will be followed by dinner at Savannah Station, 601 Cohen St, Savannah.  

Terri O’Neil, Executive Director of SPO said “This award is a great honor and especially significant as we are celebrating our tenth anniversary season.  We consider our organization to be Savannah’s Philharmonic and exposing our community’s students to music, music education, and nurturing their passion and knowledge is vital to the future of classical music.”  She continued, “We are delighted to have been nominated by SCCPSS’ selection committee as its Gala for the Arts Honoree in Performing Arts.  We are especially excited to have been recognized for this award alongside other respected organizations who were honored in 2017, including the Savannah Music Festival and Black Heritage Festival.”

Savannah’s Philharmonic is a long-time proponent of music education and community involvement and values their partnership with SCCPSS. Kristen Spiridon recently joined the team as the education and community outreach coordinator, as SPO elevated the position from a part-time role to a full-time position, paving the way for expansion and growth of valuable outreach programs. The Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra is a professional orchestra presenting a full range of concerts each season, from classics to pops. The Savannah Philharmonic Chorus is a community-based auditioned ensemble that performs regularly with the orchestra in an oratorio and opera setting, as well as performing a wide range of music in its own concerts. Both of these 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations aim to exhilarate, educate, and enrich a large and diverse audience in the greater Savannah community with the mission to provide the highest level of musical performances and educational programs featuring the highest caliber of professional musicians, a volunteer chorus, and internationally acclaimed soloists. 

For more information about the Savannah Philharmonic, please visit www.savannahphilharmonic.org

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