Having a professional symphony orchestra in a town provides a lot more benefits than just a few scheduled concerts. A weekend in Knoxville last month drove that point home for me.
Cellist Andy Bryenton
On Friday, Alan and I went to see one of our favorite groups, The Johnson Swingtet, perform at Alive After Five, the popular concert series at the Knoxville Museum of Art. The group features a cello player, Andy Bryenton, who also is principal cellist with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.
The next night was the annual Front Page Follies show, a variety show/fund-raiser at the Knoxville Marriott benefiting the Society of Professional Journalists by raising money for journalism scholarships. The musical director? Carol Zinavage, the Knoxville Symphony’s principal keyboardist.
These are just two small examples of how our quality of life here in Knoxville is made better because we have the Knoxville Symphony – not even counting the actual Symphony concerts.
Symphony members play in our churches and at our weddings and funerals and cocktail parties. They teach lessons to our children, to college students and to adults. They volunteer in numerous community organizations. They play for our opera and our dance troupes. The musicians have a wide variety of outside jobs to supplement their income from the Knoxville Symphony.
Keyboardist Carol Zinavage
And the Knoxville Symphony also schedules a number of so-called outreach performances in non-traditional venues like hospitals and libraries.
When companies consider locating to East Tennessee, executives often inquire about our cultural assets – and the Knoxville Symphony is a big plus mark.
In short, even if you never go to a Knoxville Symphony performance, your life as a member of the Knoxville community is enriched and improved because the Knoxville Symphony attracts these fine musicians to our area
The Knoxville Symphony, by the skin of its teeth, finished in the black financially last year. Due to the economy, contributions, sponsorships and ticket sales all are down. The current budget year will be extremely challenging. Please, if you can afford it, make a contribution – even a small one – to the Knoxville Symphony by going to its Web site. Our community already is reaping the benefits.
Photo credit: Both pictures by Charles Brooks
The Community School of the Arts is proud that Andy and Carol are an invaluable part of our “family,” and that Knoxville has in the KSO a tremendous resource and vehicle for such talented and generous individuals. Thanks, Cynthia, for getting the word out — and for all you do in the community.