Bow Ties to Bluegrass

Fall is arriving in the Golden Isles and with it comes a sense of fresh air and renewal. There’s the eager expectation of cooler temperatures and crisp breeze after a hot and steamy summer and the excitement of a new school year and new chapters of life. With all this, we’re more than ready to welcome a fun new season of events filled with music and other magical moments. Fans of classical music will be enraptured by the free Prelude Concerts featuring The Silvas presented at Brunswick Actors’ Studio/SoGlo Gallery and the amazing performances planned for the 2023-2024 Coastal Symphony of Georgia concert season. Golden Isles Live’s 82nd season will offer eclectic acts that range from classical crossovers with a twist to 70s Greenwich Village folk sounds and a Garth Brooks tribute. In November, Old Town Brunswick will be alive with music from a wide variety of genres as we celebrate the 5th year of PorchFest. And that’s not all! There’s musical theatre coming our way from The Island Players with the smash Off-Broadway hit The Marvelous Wonderettes too! Your toes are sure to be tapping right through the winter holidays.

A New Season… Renewed Commitments

By Susan Garrett for the Coastal Symphony of Georgia

Sometimes new beginnings simply mean renewing commitments already made. At the Coastal Symphony of Georgia (CSG), our sought-after Music Director and Conductor, Michelle Merrill has accepted a new post as Artistic Director of the Winston-Salem Symphony. She is also committed to maintaining her leadership role with the Coastal Symphony. “I am thrilled to be starting my new position in Winston-Salem while at the same time continuing my tenure here in the Golden Isles,” Merrill says. “This symphony is a special organization and one I plan on leading for many more years to come.”

Without skipping a beat, Merrill has again curated a new CSG season (2023-2024) of symphonic music dedicated to presenting new and engaging works alongside beloved classics. Merrill, in her sixth season with the CSG, aims to make her programing reflective of classical music as a whole. “You will see the blockbuster works, but I also love to find lesser-known compositions – by both famous names and rarely heard virtuosos,” she explains. Also, while showcasing music from the last 200 years, she is interested in new music written in the last few years. “An orchestra is a living art form, and we must constantly challenge ourselves with music from this wide variety of ages and styles if we hope to remain relevant.”

Opening Night, October 9th will be an evening of music Made in America. A bold and powerful Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman #1 by American composer, Joan Tower opens the concert, followed by Aaron Copland’s rarely played Billy the Kid Suite. Cowboy hats and boots are allowed in the concert hall! The concert closes with Czech composer Antonin Dvorak’s New World Symphony. Dvorak composed this work while living in America where he became greatly influenced by what he called “Negro Spirituals” and Native American music.

The highlight of our November 27th concert, Poetry and Song, will be a performance by Mezzo Soprano Ashley Dixon, a rising star on the national operatic stage. She will sing Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures Song Cycle which will showcase her robust voice which has been described as both “melodious” and “precise.”  Merrill calls the piece “absolutely gorgeous” and says she came to admire Dixon’s voice when the two of them worked together at the San Francisco Opera in 2019.

The concert will also feature The Moldau, a symphonic poem written by Bohemian composer Bedrich Smetana, and close with Brahms Symphony No. 1 which was hailed by renowned conductor Hans von Bulow as “Beethoven’s Tenth” in 1877.

The New Year brings a February 5th concert of Timeless Treasures. The evening opens with Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture with its sense of urgency followed by more calming, tender themes. Christopher Bassett then takes the stage to perform Concerto for Bass Trombone by little known 19th Century composer Ernst Sachse. Christopher has played with the CSG and also performed in our SoundBites series. He will be exploring the amazing sounds of this low brass instrument and its three-octave range. Prepare to be surprised!

The evening closes with 19th Century French composer Louise Farrenc’s exquisite Symphony No. 1. Farrenc became a well-respected composer, virtuoso pianist, and teacher who was writing at a time when it was difficult for women to be heard. Her music reflects a striking blend of Romanticism and Classicism that is full of melody and an expressive use of each instrumental section. Merrill notes her music has been forgotten over the years, but “it is finally (rightfully) being heard.”

The season finale, Finely Crafted, on April 29th features heartfelt, finely drawn music from three giants of the musical repertoire. A lively, elegant, and excellent example of a classical symphony by 18th Century French composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (the composer depicted in the recent film Chevalier) opens the concert. The symphony is followed by a light-hearted, sometimes reflective, but never somber memorial from incomparable French composer Maurice Ravel. Merrill says, “anything by Ravel is a chance to revel in his divine orchestration and sound world!”

The concert closes with Tchaikovsky’s graceful, poised Serenade for Strings in C major. The Serenade, which the composer called “heartfelt,” contains familiar passages we have heard at the ballet, the movies, or on television. It is considered one of the late Romantic era’s definitive compositions and is a masterpiece for strings.

Along with amazing music, the symphony is offering a new service this year – round trip bus transportation from St. Simons Island to Brunswick High School. The October and November concerts will be held at the high school; the February and April concerts will be held at Wesley Church at Frederica on St. Simons Island. All concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m., a change in time from 8:00 p.m. supported by a majority of respondents to our recent survey.

The new season at the Coastal Symphony of Georgia will continue our ongoing commitment to excellence in music, and Merrill encourages everyone to attend at least one of these delightfully different concerts. “Tell your friends, make a night of it, and come join us this season!” For complete information on the season and to order tickets, please call the box office at 912.634.2006 or visit our website at coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org.

Prelude to a New Festival

You’re invited to spend a Classical Afternoon with The Silvas at Brunswick Actors’ Theatre on September 30. This free concert is the second in “The Prelude Series” of performances which will lead up to a classical music festival in downtown Brunswick. The goal of The Prelude Series is to engage the community and build relationships in order to establish a music festival in Brunswick beginning in 2024 which will provide the Golden Isles community with quality productions featuring guest artists for years to come and will also develop programs for the youth. This program is made possible by Lynda Dalton-Gallagher of Brunswick Actors’ Theatre and by a generous contribution from Kayserburg Pianos of the Pearl River Piano Group, the premier sponsor of these concerts.

Pianists Francisco Silva and Mireille Silva began their thriving music school, Silva Music Studios, in 1994 and now operate two locations in the Metro Atlanta area. These two highly sought after instructors and mentors for new teachers have a vision to share their talents and expertise in the Golden Isles area. Francisco is renowned for his recording work and his two performances of Beethoven’s complete Piano Sonata Cycle, in Sao Paulo, Brazil and at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, both received critical acclaim in the press. Their son, Dorian, also an instructor at Silva Music Studios, has a degree in cello performance from Kennesaw State University and also proudly serves in the Georgia Army National Guard as an infantryman. The family lives in Brunswick part time and hopes to make this their permanent home in the near future.

Doors will open for the September 30 concert at 3:00 p.m. and the performance will begin at 3:30pm in the theatre at 1413 Newcastle Street. While the concert is free, an RSVP is required to reserve a seat. The last concert was standing room only, so be sure to make your reservation early at brunswickactorstheatre.simpletix.com. More information about the Silvas and the planned Brunswick Music Festival is available at silvamusic.org. To learn more about Brunswick Actors’ Theatre and see video from the last concert, visit soglogallery.com.

More Than 8 Decades of Live Entertainment

Golden Isles Live is ready to thrill audiences with their 2023-2024 concert season line-up. They head into their 82nd year of providing world-class entertainment to the Golden Isles with five delightfully different musical acts.

The season opens on October 14 with Vox Fortura. Semi-Finalists of Britain's Got Talent, this show-stopping group demonstrated a powerhouse display of vocal panache and sheer class. Described by fans as “the next Il Divo,” Vox Fortura reintroduces vocals back into the mainstream. In shows imbued with personality and style, the group has a dazzling ability to perform music from almost any era or genre of music in their iconic crossover style, touching on everything from Elgar and Bizet's "Pearl Fishers" to hits by David Bowie, John Legend, and Ed Sheeran.

×

1 of 2

Vox Fortura.jpeg
×

2 of 2

Concert Season

Concert Season

The second concert of the season takes us back to the folk scene of 1970s Greenwich Village. On Friday, November 3, Steven Delopoulos and Johnny Phillips present The Sounds of Silence Tribute Tour. The audience will be treated to the songs of Simon and Garfunkel and the era that surrounded them, including classic hits by Bob Dylan, Harry Chapin, John Denver and other favorite artists. Fans have highly praised the group’s musical talent and their uncanny ability to transport you back to this timeless era when lyrics and melody meant something more.

As Christmas approaches, you’ll be dreaming of The Sugarplums after their concert on December 8. Winners of the Christmas Caroler Challenge, a national singing competition on The CW, this trio of ladies will perform holiday music favorites with charming choreography and engaging audience interaction. From “Sleigh Ride” to “Jingle Bell Rock,” they channel acts like The Ronettes, The Andrews Sisters, and Brenda Lee and are sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

×

1 of 2

The Sugarplums.jpeg
×

2 of 2

The Suits.jpeg

When concerts resume on February 23, enjoy a fun evening to remember with The Suits. This dynamic group performs Motown, Doo Wop, Pop, and Rock hits from the 50s through the 80s, fusing smooth choreography and tight harmonies with exciting showmanship and lively audience interaction. With song selections that include classics like “Oh, What a Night” by The Four Seasons, “Can't Buy Me Love” by The Beatles, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder, “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel, and “Don't Stop Believin’” by Journey, you’ll soon find yourself singing along with The Suits!

The season ends on April 5 with Key of G Live, a tribute to country music artist Garth Brooks. Minnesota native AJ Bisto has been singing and performing live since the age of 5, and has opened for acts such as Jamie O'Neal, Ty Herndon, Andy Griggs, and Anita Cochran. At home in Nashville, he enjoys playing at various local venues. With a natural voice that sounds uncannily like Garth Brooks, AJ was encouraged by several in the industry to create a tribute show performing Brooks’ music, and so the thunder rolls.

All concerts take place on Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the beautiful setting of the Wesley Church at Frederica on St. Simons Island. Season and individual show tickets can be purchased at goldenisleslive.org.

Something Wonderful This Way Comes

Music isn’t confined to our local concert series either! The Island Players will be kicking off their new season with the smash Off-Broadway musical, The Marvelous Wonderettes, written and created by Roger Bean. The fabulously fun hit show featuring more than 30 classic 50s and 60s hits takes the audience back to the 1958 Springfield High School prom. This is where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy: four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! In Act I, the stories of their lives and loves unfold while they perform at their high school prom. Act II returns to the scene a decade later, with the Wonderettes reuniting to perform at their ten-year reunion. Audiences will learn about the highs and lows the girls experienced over the years and be charmed to see that no matter what life has thrown their way, the Wonderettes will conquer it together. You won’t want to miss this marvelous musical trip down memory lane!

Performances take place at the St. Simons Casino Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, September 22-23, 29-30, and October 6-7; and at 3:00 p.m. Sundays, September 24, October 1 & 8. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students 18 and under, and can be purchased online at theislandplayers.com.

Porch Pickin'

One of the best and brightest musical events in the Golden Isles is the annual Brunswick PorchFest. This free neighborhood event in Historic Downtown Brunswick first came to life in 2018 when a group of downtown friends became motivitated to organize a PorchFest inspired by one in Ithaca, NY they had seen on social media. Since then, it’s just gotten bigger and better! This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, November 12, beginning at noon and wrapping up around 6:00 p.m. It’s a fantastic occasion for attendees to fall in love with Old Town for its collection of beautiful homes, wide array of talented performers, and the Southern hospitality offered by friendly neighbors.

Jason Umfress, PorchFest 2023 event director, says, “PorchFest is the perfect way to showcase everything we love about our unique downtown neighborhood: our talented local musicians, beautiful historic homes, and the funky vibe that makes calling this place home so much fun!”

The details take months for the PorchFest planning committee to pull together, from recruiting homeowners to host bands on their porches and musicians to donate their time and talents to offering transportation options and updating a website with maps

and schedules. Obtaining the support of generous sponsors from the local business community is also essential to help offset the expenses of this free rain-or-shine community event. Special attention is also being given to participant safety, with Umfress adding, “The streets are full of friends and family, and we want everyone to move around safely. We continue to meet with City and County officials to ensure festival-goers have fun, but do so in a safe manner.”

Tipsy McSway’s owner and PorchFest planning committee member Susan Bates, shares her enthusiasm about the event as it heads into its fifth year, saying, “We have seen the community come out to support this event in so many ways, from incredible band turnouts to enthusiastic porch hosts and neighbors. It has attracted a crowd over the years like we could never have imagined and has become what many call one of the premier events in the Golden Isles. It truly blows us away every year!”

Crawford Perkins, local musician and owner of SoGlo Guitar Gallery, can’t wait for the 2023 event. “Our band, Squirt Gun, has the honor of being the 2023 grand finale entertainment and will be performing on the Brunswick Manor porch this year at 5:00 p.m.” If you’re in the market for a new guitar or amplifier or would like to take lessons from some talented folks, SoGlo Guitar Gallery is the place to go! From custom-made beauties to skillful repairs and all the pedals and accessories a musician might need, Crawford and his crew at 509 Gloucester Street have you covered. He adds, “I’m a Brunswick fan through and through. My wife and I live here, eat here, socialize here and my business is here. As a musician, there’s nothing more I’d rather do than contribute to the promotion of our awesome little community.” You’re more than welcome to stop by the shop even if it’s just to admire the collection of gorgeous guitars or check them out online at sogloguitargallery.com.

“PorchFest is a vibe, an experience that we can’t wait to share every year,” says Umfress. Everyone is invited to get involved! Registration links are open until October 15 for performers, porch hosts, volunteers, and sponsors. For more information or to register, visit porchfestbwk.com. Follow #porchfestbwk on Facebook and Instagram for exciting updates about this year’s participants. We hope to see YOU there!