A conflict between two orchestras led Columbia County commissioners on Tuesday to table a motion naming Symphony Orchestra Augusta the resident symphony of an Evans performance venue.
At the request of the symphony, the commission tentatively agreed last week during a committee meeting to designate it the resident symphony for the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center.
Feeling slighted, Columbia County Civic Orchestra conduc-tor Rob Nordan protested the decision during a meeting Tuesday.
"For many reasons, we have grave concerns about this action, and we respectfully ask that the action be denied," Mr. Nordan told commissioners.
Some conflicting language in county documents likely led to a misunderstanding about what Symphony Orchestra Augusta was seeking.
Part of the documentation states that the orchestra wants only to be recognized as the professional musical group in residence for the performing arts center. Other portions of the documents suggest the designation would be for the entire county.
County Community and Leisure Services Director Barry Smith said he intends to make it clear that the designation applies only to the performing arts center when the issue is discussed again next month.
Symphony Orchestra Augusta Executive Director Sandra Self said the designation would be included in concert programs and posted outside the performing arts center in the Columbia County Library.
From a marketing standpoint, such advertising likely would improve the arts center's profile with other area arts groups, Mr. Smith said.
Each year, Symphony Orchestra Augusta stages a number of concerts at the arts center and a free outdoor concert in Evans.
Since its inception about two years ago, the civic orchestra has performed eight concerts, but not all were in Columbia County.
The group has never performed at the Jabez center, Mr. Smith said.
Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
the civic orchestra, while providing a community music program involving both youth & adult musical enthusiasts, cannot be considered anything more than an amateur ensemble. SOA is a professional organization (i do use this term loosely) with few if any ties to Columbia Co. why either group would be granted some sort of title - or would try to prevent the other from receiving such recognition - is beyond me.
Who cares?
The name says it all. COLUMBIA COUNTY Civic Orchestra.
Name it after Rep Broun.
Are they like the Mayberry town band ?
Don't let those Richmond county thugs onto your sainted ground, better for us RC'ers anyways, why should we share with you snotty SOB's anyways.
Man oh man, we have big trouble in Columbia Cty. Reassuring to live in a place where that's all we have to debate at Commssion meetings. As, TheGame says above..Mayberryesque.
Flip a coin and the winnner gets the title, the loser is named the Grovetown Symphony.
Rod Nordan is quality and his group is quality. I know him and have heard them.
maybe they ought to have a benefit concert, a Symphony Showdown Battle of the Bands, so to speak, and let the audience vote for the best group.
First of all, is this issue really worthy of being called a "spat"? To say that the civic orchestra feels slighted is going a little overboard. Secondly, I think the Chronicle needs to present the facts instead of a negligent biased report. Lastly, all of the civic orchestra's concerts have all been performed in Columbia County except for two - both at the Arts in the Heart festival in downtown Augusta.
Sounds like they are just drumming up some publicity
did the dispute end on a high note?
and one time. at band camp.....
These guys are always harping on something
lol
This is the most ignorant excuse for an article I've seen. I thought this was the Augusta Chronicle, not Fox News. The only quote from anyone related to the Civic Orchestra was taken directly from Mr. Nordan's presentation to the commissioners. And to all the commenters talking smack about the Civic Orchestra, have you ever listened to them? If not, you should. It won't cost you anything except the gas money to drive to the church and back.
JGordon24DF must be the piccolo player.