The sounds of music!
By Ann B. Doran

The renowned 75 member G a i n e s v i l l e S y m p h o n y Orchestra will travel to Hiawassee, Ga. on December 12 to present "Holiday Pops." This cultural event will be sponsored by the Fieldstone Family Entertainment Center and will be the third annual concert given here by the Gainesville Symphony.

The Gainesville Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Dr. Gregory Pritchard in a wonderful program featuring works from holiday pop classics such as "White Christmas" to favorite classics such as Tschaikowsky's "Dances from the Nutcracker Suite." Afestive sing-along will also be a part of the evening's program.

The Gainesville Symphony's history began in 1978, when the Lanier Orchestra League was formed to establish and support a symphony orchestra. The group began as a 36 piece string orchestra. At about the same time, Mr. Rudy Volkmann was envisioning a community orchestra of his own origination. He started up the Gainesville Brass Consort, consisting of 12 to 15 all brass concert players. Volkmann next formed the Gainesville Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Honors Band.

Later, these three individual groups (the woodwinds, the brass ensemble and the string orchestra) consolidated to form the Lanier Symphony Orchestra. In September, 1991, the orchestra's name was changed to the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra.

A past symphony board chairman, Dr. David Weiss, explained, "This change was made in order to better signify who we are. We have always attracted a wide audience from not only Gainesville but also from communities beyond, and

we plan to work to widen that base of support even further. Our wish to forge a common identity between the orchestra and the town of Gainesville is a result of the pride we feel in the fact that Gainesville is the center of this extraordinary musical activity."

Hiawassee residents Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pelham first brought the Gainesville Symphony to town three years ago, when the couple wanted to "give back" to the community they had loved for so long.

This year, Hiawassee residents and owners of Fieldstone Family Entertainment Center Ken and Dana Merritt are primarily responsible for bringing the Symphony to Hiawassee. They want to continue giving back to the community - a community in which their resort and other endeavors have been so generously supported.

On Tuesday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m., Hiawassee and surrounding communities will again welcome the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra.

This year's performance will be held at the Fieldstone Family Entertainment Center in the large cinema with theatre seating. The event will be a festive cultural evening. The past three years have been sold out and tickets are going fast. Call now to reserve yours.

Following the musical program, the Ridges Resort and Sysco Foods of Atlanta will provide drinks and hors d'ouvres in the theatre's lobby. You will have a chance to mingle with friends and family and meet the conductor and musicians if you wish.

Come listen to the sounds of music that will help create the Christmas spirit and stir the soul.

For further information and to purchase tickets, you may call 706-896-7777, Ext. 203/Amy Wilson or Ext. 204/ Judy Moss.

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