S.C. Phil puts SCAC grants to work
The South Carolina Philharmonic has been awarded a General Operating Support Grant of $37,013 and an Arts Education Project Grant of $10,000 from the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Funds awarded from the General Operating Support grant will go to support the SC Philharmonic’s 2021/2022 season; specifically, production costs and day-to-day operations. Funds awarded from the Arts Education Project Grant will support "Phil the Music," a new education program that will debut in Richland District 1 this year.
“Both the general operating support and education grants will enable us to present concerts and programs to those who might otherwise never have the chance to experience live symphonic music,” said Executive Director
Rhonda Hunsinger. “We are especially thankful to the Arts Commission for their ongoing support, especially with the challenges we have faced because of the pandemic.”
The
SCAC General Operating Support Grant exists to help strengthen arts organizations that bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals, communities and other organizations throughout the state. The grant provides three years of unrestricted support for basic operations for applicants ranging from emerging to established arts organizations with primary missions involving these artistic functions: producing, service, presenting and/or education. South Carolina Philharmonic’s award of $37,013 will be funded annually for the next three seasons.
For 2021/2022, the South Carolina Philharmonic will produce six concerts at the Koger Center in their Masterworks Series including Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony (October 9, 2021), Mozart Symphony No. 40 (November 13, 2021), Beethoven and Blue Jeans (January 15, 2022), American Memories (February 5, 2022), Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (March 19, 2022) and Scheherazade (April 23, 2022). The SC Phil will bring back the extremely popular Halloween Spooktacular to the Koger Center (October 31, 2021), and will return to Harbison Theatre with Holiday and Broadway pops concerts.
The purpose of the
SCAC Arts Education Project Grant is to fund projects and programs that use the arts to meet the educational, developmental and social needs of K-12 students. Arts Education Project grants support quality arts education programs in both traditional arts education settings (schools, arts organizations) and through other organizations that utilize the arts to advance learning in students (social service, health, community, education or other organizations). South Carolina Philharmonic’s award of $10,000 will support the SC Phil’s new education program: Phil the Music.
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Nakahara and South Carolina Philharmonic musicians perform to a sold-out concert at the Columbia Fireflies' Segra Park July 3, 2021. Provided photo.[/caption]
Debuting in the 2021/2022 season, the SC Philharmonic’s "Phil the Music" program will partner with middle school music classes in Richland District One. Music educators will have the opportunity to expand their curriculums by offering complimentary audiovisual resources including live recordings of the SC Phil, and virtual interactions with musicians, composers and Music Director
Morihiko Nakahara in an “up close and personal” experience. This program was created during the pandemic and specifically designed to offer students a unique environment in which to learn about music, while following COVID guidelines for safety.
Season subscriptions are now on sale at SCPhilharmonic.com or patrons can call (803) 771-7937 for more information. Discounts are available for first-year buyers, seniors, students, active-duty and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The South Carolina Philharmonic is committed to performing live symphonic music and providing dynamic educational opportunities in the Midlands. We carry forward a legacy of passion for the music and embrace our responsibility to be a vibrant part of the cultural fabric of our diverse community.
For more information about the South Carolina Philharmonic, please visit SCPhilharmonic.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The South Carolina Philharmonic seeks an experienced development associate to guide the organization’s annual fund campaign and work with the development/deputy director and executive director in all aspects of fundraising, including grant writing, donor prospecting and stewardship, special events and fundraisers. This position requires a self-starter with a high level of professionalism, the ability to multitask, strong organizational and people skills and database proficiency.
The person who holds this post will work collaboratively with the professional staff and leadership to advance the artistic vision of the organization and gain financial support through the telling of its story.
Learn more about this position here.
This concert event is designed especially for persons with sensory sensitivities and their families. As a component of the SCP's educational and outreach programs, this inclusive concert gives audience members the ability to fully experience orchestral music without any of the constraints of a standard performance. During this 60-minute program, audience members are free to move about, dance, speak, sing, vocalize or move between the auditorium and the lobby if desired.
The SCP is also dedicated to accessible ticketing for this event, with prices ranging from $10-$20. Half-price student tickets are available in all sections.
The South Carolina Philharmonic is partnering with various organizations to present the Sensory Friendly Family Concert. Current partners are The Unumb Center for Neurodevelopment, the S.C. Commission for the Blind, Family Connections of S.C., Key Changes Therapy Services, Carolina Autism and Neurodevelopment Research Center, and Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services. The orchestra is passionate about working with these partners to provide resources to the families that attend the event, and to continue positioning the SCP to provide opportunities that welcome all audiences by removing barriers.
Education and Community Engagement Director Susan Cafferty dreamed of creating a concert program that would serve persons with sensory sensitivities and their families.
“This concert is something that I’m personally passionate about,” said Cafferty. “As a mother who struggles to find arts events that are welcoming to audiences with neurodiversity, I felt our orchestra was positioned to create something special in Columbia.”
Cafferty and the SCP staff have been working with the Koger Center to create a concert experience that sensory sensitive listeners and family members can enjoy without the constraints of a standard performance. The hope is that audiences will delight in the discovery of orchestral experiences that invite and welcome all to the world of classical music.
This 60-minute concert has been programmed by Music Director Morihiko Nakahara to feature an array of repertoire that will entertain families. Audiences will be welcome to move around the space freely, vocalize and provide special needs care. This concert is for all families and audiences. As the orchestra’s accessibility endeavors continue, the organization intends to work closely with the Koger Center to provide more opportunities that abolish barriers to attending live music performances.
Tickets may be purchased at scphilharmonic.com or by calling the Koger Center Box Office at 803.251.2222.
An SC Philharmonic string ensemble.[/caption]
The South Carolina Philharmonic is committed to performing live symphonic music and providing dynamic educational opportunities in the Midlands. We carry forward a legacy of passion for the music and embrace our responsibility to be a vibrant part of the cultural fabric of our diverse community.
For more information about the South Carolina Philharmonic, please visit 
Nakahara and South Carolina Philharmonic musicians perform to a sold-out concert at the Columbia Fireflies' Segra Park July 3, 2021. Provided photo.[/caption]
The Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award is an annual recognition of a Columbian who reflects many of the values and qualities of those generously given by One Columbia’s former leader in support of the growth and vitality of his City of Columbia. Morrison, who passed away in 2013, co-chaired the One Columbia Arts and Culture Board of Directors for three years..
A native of Kagoshima, Japan, Nakahara holds degrees from Andrews University and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Known for his charismatic presence on and off the podium, innovative and audience-friendly programming skills, and thoughtful interpretations of both standard and contemporary repertoire, Nakahara was featured in the League of American Orchestra’s prestigious Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview in March 2005. Equally at home in a wide variety of musical styles and concert formats, Nakahara has collaborated with Chris Botti, Béla Fleck & the Flecktones, Edgar Meyer, Brandi Carlile, Pink Martini and Sergio Mendes to name a few.
The 2021-2022 season marks Morihiko Nakahara’s 14th season as Music Director of the South Carolina Philharmonic, and he also serves as Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and recently concluded a 17 year tenure as the Resident Conductor with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this award, on behalf of the entire team of musicians, administrative staff, board members, tech crew, and our loyal audience members near and far,” said Morihiko Nakahara. “The Covid-19 pandemic taught us to be patient and nimble, but the level of trust that our orchestra's stakeholders and constituents have for each other and the passion with which they embody their roles have allowed us to be bold and ambitious during this time. This honor is especially meaningful for me on a personal level, because in the few years I knew and interacted with Steve Morrison, I was always inspired and energized by his tireless advocacy for the arts in Columbia and for equal access to arts education and enrichment in every community. Steve's vision is our mission, and I am blessed to continue working in Columbia's vibrant arts community for all people.”
The recipient of the Steve Morrison Visionary Award honors the best combination of vision and leadership, applied to arts and history and the entire cultural foundation of the City, and the value they bring to Columbia.
“Over the 14 years that Morihiko Nakahara has shared his pioneering vision as music director and conductor for the South Carolina Philharmonic, he has served as an ambassador for culture and music, as well as advocate for the growth of our city’s fine arts and humanities environment,” said Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. “Morihiko truly embodies the traits recognized by The Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award, through his commitment to furthering the artistic vitality of Columbia.”
An event is being organized to present Mr. Nakahara with the award and is expected to be held in mid-January 2022.
According to a news release, "Henderson’s passion for music, experience in promoting events in Columbia, and his desire to work for an established team of professionals makes him a winning fit" for his new position as he leaves one performing arts field for another in the same city.
“I am a longtime fan of the South Carolina Philharmonic and its programming, and am thrilled to have the opportunity to join their team,” Henderson (right) said. “The leadership at the South Carolina Philharmonic has an amazing track record and tenure, and the board of directors has been exemplary in it support of the staff and moving the organization forward. I had the pleasure of talking with various members of the Philharmonic’s artistic family over the past few weeks, and I am so delighted to be able to work for this amazing arts organization.”
A Spartanburg native, Henderson, came to Columbia in 2003 as a student of the South Carolina Honors College. He started his studies as an aspiring professional percussionist at the school of music but later transitioned his minor in advertising to a major with a new minor in theatre. Henderson served as Trustus' marketing director for eight years starting in 2007, was artistic director for 5 years, and the organization’s executive director throughout the past year—which included the theatre’s closure due to the pandemic and its return to live performance.
He resigned from the theatre just more than a week ago on July 29. On Aug. 16 he will bring 14 years of experience promoting nonprofit arts programming in Columbia to the S.C. Philharmonic as it prepares to launch its 2021/2022 concert season with live and virtual performances.
“I have known Chad since his early days at Trustus and have always admired his creative drive and commitment to the arts in Columbia. As colleagues we have often turned to each other for guidance, and I am delighted that we can now work together to advance the mission of the South Carolina Philharmonic," Executive Director Rhonda Hunsinger said.
Nakahara and South Carolina Philharmonic musicians perform to a sold-out concert at the Columbia Fireflies' Segra Park July 3, 2021. Provided photo.[/caption]
They live for that. It’s a calling.
Yet in times of social distancing, that’s hard to do. Through the wonders of modern technology, many are trying and succeeding. So while we’re all staying home to protect vulnerable family, friends, and neighbors, The Hub is stepping up to fill the void between artists and arts lovers. (