2008 NSO American Residency: South Carolina

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts has accepted the South Carolina Arts Commission's invitation to make South Carolina the site of the National Symphony Orchestra's 2008 American Residency. Between February 8 and 16, 2008, the members of the Orchestra will participate in approximately 150 education and performance activities throughout the state.

There will be a total of five orchestral concerts in the state.  Dozens of educational and outreach activities and other events are being planned.  South Carolina Arts Commission Executive Director Suzette Surkamer sees the Residency as an excellent enhancement to the lineup of special activities planned to celebrate the agency’s 40th anniversary.

“We are delighted that the National Symphony Orchestra has accepted our invitation to make South Carolina the site for its 2008 American Residency,” said Ms. Surkamer.  “It is our pleasure to welcome first-class musicians to present great work in communities across our state, and we are grateful that all of the proceeds from each concert will remain in South Carolina to benefit our own arts organizations.

Follow-Up Activities

The 2008 American Residency does not end when the National Symphony Orchestra leaves South Carolina on February 16.

Summer Music Institute.  Since 1992, the Kennedy Center/NSO National Trustees’ Summer Music Institute -- a training program for young orchestral musicians (ages 14-21) from across the country -- has welcomed students annually for four weeks of study, rehearsal and coaching sessions.  As part of the American Residency, up to six students from South Carolina will be chosen to receive scholarships to the 2008 Summer Music Institute.  Students are selected by taped audition. 

Teacher Fellowship.  A South Carolina music teacher will be selected for an individually designed program to further the teacher’s professional development.  The program will take place in Washington, D.C., under the auspices of the National Symphony Orchestra and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 

Chamber Music Commission.  A South Carolina composer will be selected to create a chamber music work to be premiered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Sponsor

American Residencies are sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Chamber music concerts and outreach are sponsored in part by generous contributors to the Kennedy Center Abe Fortas Memorial Fund for Chamber Music and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas.

Schedule

Friday, February 8

Travel from New York to Greenville, SC

Saturday, February 9
8:00pm CONCERT: CLOVER

Full Orchestra Concert Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Clover School District Auditorium, Clover

Sunday, February 10
3:00pm CONCERT: GREENVILLE

Full Orchestra Concert Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Peace Center Concert Hall, Greenville

Monday, February 11
8:00pm CONCERT: CLEMSON

Full Orchestra Concert Emil de Cou, conductor
Brooks Center, Clemson University, Clemson

Tuesday, February 12
7:30pm CONCERT: COLUMBIA

Full Orchestra Concert Emil de Cou, conductor
Koger Center, USC Columbia

Friday, February 15
8:00pm CONCERT: AIKEN

Full Orchestra Concert Emil de Cou, conductor
USCA Convocation Center Aiken