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Savannah
Friends of Music Renews Its Sponsorship of the Armstrong Atlantic Youth
Orchestra Program
Savannah, Georgia
—May 5, 2005—The Savannah Friends of Music (SFM) renewed its
financial commitment to the Armstrong Atlantic Youth Orchestra Program
(AAYO) during a public presentation. This is the second time the organization
has made a three-year financial commitment to the orchestra program sponsored
by the Armstrong Atlantic State University Department of Art, Music &
Theatre (AASU AMT).
Lynne Davis, president of the Savannah Friends of Music, presented the
check to Leary Bell, AASU vice president of external affairs, and Lorraine
Jones, executive director of AAYO, at the recent Inaugural Season Spring
Concert held on the AASU campus. SFM’s check supports operation of
AAYO for the 2005-2006 season.
An educational outreach program serving student musicians ranging from
primary grades through college level, the Armstrong Atlantic Youth Orchestra
Program features four performing ensembles that matches students of various
musical abilities with other students of similar levels of accomplishment.
The most advanced group, the Armstrong Atlantic Youth Orchestra (AAYO),
is a full-scale symphonic orchestra and an ensemble for which AASU music
students may participate for course credit. On the intermediate level,
the Atlantic Chamber Orchestra (ACO) is also a full symphonic orchestra,
and what we believe to be the only full orchestra at this level in the
state. The Lyric Strings Ensemble (LSE) is a beginning level string orchestra
(divided into two groups) that introduces many young musicians to the
world of ensemble playing, particularly those students whose school does
not maintain an orchestra.
Now at the conclusion of this inaugural season, Tom Cato, department head
of AASU AMT, expressed satisfaction, saying, "this new partnership
between Armstrong Atlantic and Savannah Friends of Music that has produced
two incredibly successful concerts featuring the tremendous musical talent
found in the youth of the Savannah community." He further stated
that AASU AMT is "extremely pleased to serve as a leading organization
in support and promotion of cultural education for Savannah students of
all ages."
The AAYO program immediately satisfies current community needs by filling
a substantial void in cultural life for young musicians in Savannah that
was created by the dissolution of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra and
its youth orchestra program. This collaborative effort combines the utilization
of campus resources at AASU, which include facilities, equipment, and
expertise of faculty, with resources made available through underwriting
by SFM. SFM was established for the purpose of supporting, promoting,
and sponsoring programs of classical music and education in Savannah.
For AASU music students, AAYO fosters the opportunity for personal growth
in areas of economic and cultural outreach activities that enhance teaching
and learning. The project also seeks to instill in its students an awareness
of, and responsiveness to, values inherent to one’s general desire
to improve the quality of life for the community in which they live.
The Savannah Friends of Music organization is available to offer funding
support to Savannah’s young people and to organizations that will
keep classical music alive in the community. For more information about
the Savannah Friends of Music, visit www.savannahfriendsofmusic.com.
For those interested in contributing to the Armstrong Atlantic Youth Orchestra
Program, contact Tom Cato at the Armstrong Atlantic State University Department
of Art, Music & Theatre at 912.927.5325.
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