I like to think that I’m still fairly young, but I catch myself doing things on an almost daily basis that reinforce that I’m turning into an old man.
Drinking - I rarely do it. When I do, it’s usually just a couple, and I’m usually home before midnight.
Weekends - Saturdays trimming hedges, knocking down spider webs, watching football and doing laundry is relaxing.
Living La Vida Loca - I’m in bed before 11 each night. I used to GO OUT at 11.
But today caps it all off.
I wrote a Letter to the Editor of our local paper this morning.
I heard that there were some people complaining about a local symphony performance that was held on Saturday night. The symphony played with a local favorite band - Jump (formerly: Jump Little Children). They sold out a 2,300 seat venue and rocked (as hard as a symphony can rock, I suppose). People that normally would’ve never seen the symphony play got exposed to them, and some blue-blood jackasses that are symphony donors called to complain that it was too loud, that people were too rowdy, and that they couldn’t believe they were playing rock & roll.
My best friend works for the symphony, and I won’t stand for someone peeing in his cornflakes. This performance was his idea, and it sold out. A. Symphony. Performance. Sold. Out. In your face, jerky old people that probably still think that listening to Elvis will give you syphillis.
So, my letter’s below. I’ll let y’all know if it runs in the paper. I wanted to post it up here so at least you can read it. And so that anytime someone googles the symphony, this post will hopefully show up.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, my epsom salt bath is ready.
-KS
I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly congratulate David Stahl, Sandy Ferencz and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Board, Staff, and musicians for Saturday’s outstanding performance with Jump. I have attended many of the CSO’s performances over the past several seasons, and this was the most energetic, exciting, and entertaining performance to date.
It is refreshing to see the CSO step “Out of the Box” with performances such as last weekend’s “Gig at the Galliard.”
There is an unfortunate stigma of antiquation and irrelevance when it comes to orchestral performances and younger audiences. Many shy away from attending concerts due to lack of understanding of the music, lack of knowledge of the composers, and a fear of the unknown (have you ever wanted to clap, but weren’t sure if it was the appropriate time?). I was proud and pleased to see the CSO reaching out to a younger audience by performing with Jump. It was refreshing to see people clapping, cheering, and having a great time enjoying great music. I was excited to see the CSO make itself relevant to a younger audience.
A younger audience 2,300 strong. What an incredible accomplishment.
It is crucial for a non-profit organization such as the CSO to not only keep its existing members happy with traditional performances, but to expand its audience (and therefore its potential donor base) by staging performance series such as this. To stay stagnant and perform the same pieces for the same people season after season is a death sentence for such a vital part of our community. I am enthusiastically looking forward to their next “Out of the Box” performances, and will most certainly be encouraging my friends and family to attend as well.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the CSO. And by reaching out to a younger audience, the CSO is ensuring its place in Charleston for another 75 years.
The CSO board, staff, and musicians should be applauded for their courage and savvy.