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Tuning Up: Music, money, and more

Good morning!  "Tuning Up" is a morning post series where The Hub delivers curated, quick-hit arts stories of interest to readers. Sometimes there will be one story, sometimes there will be several. Get in tune now, and have a masterpiece of a day. And now, in no particular order...

An exhibition for the birds. "If you're gonna do it, do it right," notable bird sculptor and South Carolina artist Grainger McKoy told the Wilmington Star News ahead of his new solo retrospective at the city's Cameron Art Museum. (You won't believe to what he was referring. - Ed.) Recovery in Flight runs through Feb. 17, 2019. Hours and admission vary. Florence Symphony goes platinum. The orchestra's 70th season begins tonight at the FMU Performing Arts Center. Barber, Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, and (Johann) Strauss (II) are on the program. 7:30 p.m. $25-$42. Get jazzed for the weekend. Staying with the music in the Pee Dee theme, more than 20 regional musical artists from the Carolinas will perform in an eclectic collection of venues during the South Carolina Jazz Festival in Cheraw this coming weekend. (Yes, we are gazing ahead longingly.) Dizzy Gillespie's hometown invites you to enjoy a multitude of things, including a parade, 5K, golf tournament, and lots and lots of jazz. Oct. 19-21. Weekend passes for $50. A NASAA nod to the SCAC. And staying with the blowing of horns theme (RIP, Dizzy), the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, gave a shoutout to a new partnership program from the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, S.C. Arts Alliance, and the S.C. Arts Commission you might remember us mentioning this summer: A Stronger Bottom Line. If you don't remember, the first cohort of nonprofit arts organizations from around the state is receiving financial management training as a result of the partnership.

Tuning Up: Literally (spoiler: it’s about orchestras)

Good morning!  "Tuning Up" is a morning post series where The Hub delivers curated, quick-hit arts stories of interest to readers. Sometimes there will be one story, sometimes there will be several. Get in tune now, and have a masterpiece of a day. And now, in no particular order...

This morning we offer some news and notes from South Carolina orchestras. ICYMI: Three Mor-ihiko Years. The South Carolina Philharmonic announced a three-year contract extension for Music Director Morihiko Nakahara this week, keeping him in Columbia into (at least) 2022 for a total of (at least) 14 seasons. The Free Times caught up with the well-traveled maestro, who begins his 11th season, and the orchestra's 55th, Saturday, Sept. 29. Rock Hill Symphony debuts tomorrow night. Literally. As in, first-ever concert, not just new season. Pianist Marina Lomazov (an SCAC music performance fellowship recipient) is the featured soloist for the Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto on Music Director David Rudge's premiere program, which also offers works by Berlioz, Rimsky-Korsakov, Smetana, and more. It is sold out (and has been), but check out the first season's offerings here. Season's greetings! Rock Hill joins 10 other professional orchestras in South Carolina. September and October are typically when orchestra season gets going. Here are start dates for others from around the Palmetto State: Did you have any idea South Carolina has so many orchestras? This doesn't even count the college and community orchestras. All 10 listed above will receive operating support (or more) from the S.C. Arts Commission in FY19.

Florence Symphony Orchestra kicks off 65th season

Congratulations to the Florence Symphony Orchestra as it begins its 65th season! Pianist Paolo Andre Gualdi is the featured guest soloist for opening night on Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. The program includes Beethoven's Leonora Overture, Number 3; Scriabin's Concerto in F Sharp Minor, Opus 20; and Brahms' Third Symphony. Visit the Florence Symphony Orchestra website or call (843) 661-2541 for season performances and ticket information.  Single concert tickets begin at $30 for students and are available at the FMU Performing Arts Center Box Office - (843) 661.4444 or FMUPAC.org. Senior and student discounts are available for single ticket and season ticket purchases. Via: Florence Symphony Orchestra

Florence Symphony Orchestra seeks new executive director

The Florence Symphony Orchestra is accepting applications for the executive director position, a part-time post with flexible hours. Current executive director Roger Malfatti recently announced plans to retire at the end of the season. The deadline for applications is Feb. 28. Candidates should have experience with the arts and/or nonprofit organizations and a good track record in administration, budget management, event planning, public relations, marketing and fundraising. Computer proficiency, website publishing, social media and other related skills are a plus. Direct experience with a symphony, and/or musical abilities are useful, but not essential. Candidates from both inside and outside the Florence/Pee Dee area are sought, but a working knowledge of the area and its people would be beneficial. Malfatti began his work with the Florence Symphony on Jan. 1, 2010. His stint with the FSO followed a long career in the arts and recreation field. Malfatti has years of experience in concert management in New York, and symphony management in Long Island, N.Y.; Des Moines, Iowa; and Savannah, Ga. Malfatti presided over a major expansion of the FSO’s scope and reach. During his three years at the helm, the symphony’s subscriptions increased from 370 per year to more than 600 for the current season. The number of concerts increased from four to six per year, the organization’s income and contributions both doubled and the symphony moved into a new home at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. “Roger has done a terrific job as our director, and we have really appreciated his hard work,” said Marion Swink, chairman of the FSO board. “We wish him well, but he’ll be sorely missed.” Said Malfatti, “It has been an honor and a pleasure to have served the Florence Symphony. I’ve enjoyed my time working with the board, conductor Terry Roberts, the musicians and our patrons. I’ll miss it, but I look forward to attending concerts for years to come.” Malfatti will stay on board until a new executive director is hired. A complete job description and information about how to apply can be found on the FSO's website. Via: Florence Symphony Orchestra  

Young violinists! Apply for Florence Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition

Talented violinists enrolled in grades 9-12 who love performing are encouraged to enter the third annual Florence Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition. The competition is open to young violinists with home addresses in Darlington, Dillion, Florence, Lee, Marion or Marlboro counties. Applications, along with a performance CD, must be received by January 3, 2014. Finalists will be notified immediately and assigned a time to perform before a panel of judges on January 25, 2014, at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. Prizewinners will be invited to perform their audition composition accompanied by the Florence Symphony Orchestra at the March 31, 2014, concert. Find more information and apply online. Via: Florence Symphony Orchestra

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