Page 75 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2017

GIVING BACK classical music
Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra
C story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra
lassical music has a home on the Gulf Coast thanks to the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. Since 1962, the organization has provided live performances of classical music performed by
professional musicians from across the Gulf South region. The Symphony is in its 56th year and led by Dr. Peter Rubardt, a widely acclaimed conductor.
Music education is one of the Symphony’s largest initiatives. “We do this through teaching students in our Symphony Youth Orchestra and hosting two school day concerts and one LinkUp concert,” said Dhiana Skremetti, executive director of the Symphony Orchestra. LinkUp is
a free concert program that gives students the opportunity to join the orchestra. It’s provided by Carnegie Hall, the Mississippi Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Symphony’s Youth Orchestra currently engages more than 1,200 third, fourth and fifth grade students in Harrison and Jackson counties, but according to Skremetti there are children in South Mississippi who haven’t been reached. “It is our focus to open the doors to 1,800 additional students who otherwise would not be exposed to the musical education opportunities we offer,” she explained.
Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra puts on five concerts throughout the year as well as a special holiday concert. “With the donations we receive each year, we are able to
GULF COAST Symphony Ochestra
provide the quality productions that we do,” Skremetti said. “Each concert costs about $25,000 to produce from start to finish.”
Thanks to private donors, grants, fundraisers and sponsors such as IP Casino Resort Spa, the Symphony has been able to spread the experience of orchestral music
to the Gulf Coast. “The IP has continued to support our community outreach initiatives. We could not continue to provide classical music and music education programs to the community without their support,” Skremetti said.
Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra
228.896.4276 www.gulfcoastsymphony.net
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December 2017 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 75