Lorene Reid and Michael Hulett
Golden Isles Live President Lorene Reid with local musician Michael Hulett
Seventy-five years ago, on July 14, 1938, a meeting of leading citizens took place for the purpose of bringing first-class musical attractions to Brunswick. The group, then named the Brunswick Community Concert Association, would partner with Columbia Record Co.’s community concert series devoted to introducing quality artists to small communities. In June 2013, that group was given a more inclusive, lively name: Golden Isles Live!
The first season launched in 1940-41 under the presidency of George T. Rives, with performances by dramatic reader Dorothy Crawford, pianist Edward Kilenyi and baritone Igor Gorin. The second season coincided with the attack on Pearl Harbor, yet season membership continued to grow to 450 members, proud of their slogan: “We still have music.”
Early concerts included the von Trapp Family Singers, whose story inspired “The Sound of Music.” At a 1960 concert, the director of the National Symphony Orchestra noted the “superlative” acoustics of the Glynn Academy auditorium and expressed the wish that the orchestra could make all of its recordings within the natural materials of brick, wood and plaster.
The mission of Golden Isles Live! is to bring a variety of first-class, professional musical entertainment to our community at affordable prices. The association’s board of directors is a group of citizens actively committed to making great concerts available to residents of all ages. Lorene Reid is the 19th president, succeeding George K. “Bud” Dorsey.
The 2013-2014 season features concerts by 12 year-old piano prodigy Umi Garrett, guitarist Pavlo, Jesse Lynch’s Jazz 101, and Tony award winner Hal Linden at the Glynn Academy auditorium and a December concert by The American Tenors at The Cloister. Additionally, two of the artists will conduct free Student Outreach concerts for more than 1,000 local elementary and middle school students to promote music appreciation. For season details and to become a member, visit goldenisleslive.org
