Guild gets state grant

AIKEN --- The South Carolina Arts Commission has awarded the Aiken Symphony Guild more than $8,000 in operating funds.

The funds, which are for the first year of a three-year grant, will be used to continue the guild's series of children's concerts, which are presented each fall to fifth-graders in Aiken and Edgefield counties.

"The organization is excited to receive recognition at that level from the arts commission," said Linda Long, a co-president of the guild, adding that the grant is the highest award the guild has received to date. "Clearly, the South Carolina Arts Commission feels as we do that the Aiken Symphony Guild is providing programs to the community that are of real value."

In addition to the fall children's concert, the grant will be used to help fund the guild's annual concerto competition for talented elementary and high school pupils; a program of workshops and instrument demonstrations by members of the Augusta Symphony in area elementary schools; three Augusta Symphony classical performances in Aiken; and a classical music lecture series.

Mrs. Long said the symphony guild is grateful to the state arts commission for the financial support.

"Aiken residents who wish to get a firsthand look at how the arts commission grant and local funds are benefitting the community are welcome to attend any of those performances, lectures or demonstrations," she said.