Press Releases

Georgia Symphony Orchestra unveiled  Boundaries stretch for the orchestra formerly known as Cobb MARIETTA, Ga. (May 7, 2011) – Georgia now has a home-grown namesake orchestra. 

The Georgia Symphony Orchestra is the new name for a well-established organization that has been playing music in the state for 60 years. The name change was announced to applause on May 7 at a finale concert by the former Cobb Symphony Orchestra. 

The newly named GSO has a reputation for stretching musical boundaries, and is now ready to stretch its geographical boundaries. 

In its premier season, the Georgia Symphony Orchestra will continue to push the limits of what is expected from a regional orchestra.  Negotiations are ongoing to expand the number of concerts presented outside of Cobb County; and an agreement is in place to establish a residency at Reinhardt University’s Falany Performing Arts Center in North Georgia. 

In addition to playing classics, the orchestra champions new works and engages in creative collaborations with other musicians. It recently commissioned a world premier work. In the past six years, the organization has added big-band jazz and a full chorus. It also launched the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the largest of its kind in the Southeast. 

“Within the last six years, the organization has taken major leaps forward,” Music Director Michael Alexander said. “Given this growth, we are excited to continue to expand our programs as the Georgia Symphony Orchestra.” 

Harville named Georgia Symphony Associate Conductor MARIETTA, Ga. (Feb. 15, 2011) – The Georgia Symphony Orchestra has named Grant Harville as CSO Associate Conductor and Creative Director. 

Mr. Harville was previously Orchestra Director at Ripon College in Wisconsin. He is a 2008 winner of the Richard C. and Agatha Church Memorial Conducting Award.  

His recent activities include: conductor for the premiere of David Dies’s opera Hills Like White Elephants; Music Director for the Madison Savoyards production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore; and guest conductor for the Oistrach Symphony in Chicago. 

He has written works performed by the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, the United States Armed Forces Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, and the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Harville received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan. 

Jan. 16, 2011 Marietta, GA - Big Band Music by CSO Jazz Brings the Swing to Marietta Square
CSO Jazz, a production of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, will bring its big band sound to the Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square on Feb. 5. The CSO JAZZ! Initiative includes the Georgia Symphony’s 16-piece jazz band, directed by saxophonist Sam Skelton.
The performance will include jazz standards as well as contemporary compositions. The concert begins at 8 p.m. on Feb. 5 at The Strand, 117 North Park Square, Marietta. Tickets are $10-$25.

Jan. 16, 2011 Marietta, GA - Second Annual Noteworthy 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run
Come join the Georgia Symphony Orchestra for its second annual benefit run. It doesn’t matter if you run allegro or walk andante; you won’t fall flat. Your tempo is welcome, because you will be one of the key participants helping to support the CSO at this signature event.  The Noteworthy 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run will begin at 9 a.m. on Feb. 26 at Marietta High School.

Jan. 3, 2011 Marietta, GA - Georgia Symphony Premiers Work by Acclaimed Atlanta Composer
Atlanta composer Eric Alexander’s new work “Autumn Moonlight: Serenade for Soprano and Chamber Orchestra” will be premiered Jan.15 by the Georgia Symphony Orchestra.
   Mr. Alexander's compositions have been performed by the Boston Pops, the Empire Brass, and the Minnesota Orchestra. He received critical acclaim from the New York Times, the Village Voice, and the Boston Globe for his work as a composer and arranger of theater music.
   As trombonist, he has recorded with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the GAP Band, the Ohio Players, Edwin McCain, and Matchbox 20. He has toured with David Sanborn, Al Jarreau, Dr. John, Don Henley, The Moody Blues, Marvin Hamlisch, Joni Mitchell, and Tony Bennett.
   He is currently staff arranger and trombonist for the Church of the Apostles, an Atlanta megachurch with 3,000 congregants and a worldwide television ministry.
The Georgia Symphony Orchestra performance also will include works by Ravel and Wagner.

Nov. 18, 2010 Marietta, GA - Celebrate the Season with the Georgia Symphony’s Holiday Favorites
Four featured vocalists will sing holiday classics with the Cobb Symphony Orchestra for its annual Holiday Pops on Dec. 4-5. The program will include a collection of popular holiday favorites, such as Sleigh Ride; Farandole from L’Arlesienne by Bizet; and an emotional performance of Bach’s Magnificat. Joining the symphony will be Kat Uhle, soprano; Maria McDaniel, mezzo; Nathan Munson, tenor; John Morgan, bass; and the CSO Chorus.
Performances will be held:
• Dec 4 at 3 p.m. at Zion Baptist Church, 165 Lemon Street, Marietta.
• Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, 955 Johnson Ferry Road
Marietta.
• Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Murray Arts Center of Mount Paran Christian School, 2250 Stilesboro Road, Kennesaw.

Nov. 15, 2010  Marietta, GA -  First Georgia Symphony Award goes to Kennesaw choreographer
The Georgia Symphony Orchestra presented its first Award for Artistic Excellence on Saturday to Ivan Pulinkala, founding director of Kennesaw State University’s dance program.
   The award was presented during the Georgia Symphony Master Works Concert at the Murray Arts Center of Mount Paran Christian School in Kennesaw.  “We selected Ivan to be the first award recipient because he embodies the spirit of the award,” said Michael Alexander, music director of the Georgia Symphony. “He has made a major contribution to the cultural landscape of Georgia with his groundbreaking artistic work and his commitment to the next generation of artists.”
   Mr. Pulinkala has been Director of the Program in Dance at Kennesaw State University since 2005 and is artistic director of the Kennesaw University Dance Company. He teaches modern dance, choreography, dance history, and performance.  The university enrolls more than 80 dance majors and offers a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. 
Originally from New Delhi, Mr. Pulinkala was the choreographer and director of Delhi Music Theatre. He was named one of the Indian Artists of the Millennium by India Today Magazine.  In 1998, he moved to the United States to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Dance. He was recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2005 and received the Kennesaw State University Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award the same year. His recent work, Chakra, was performed by KSU students at the National Dance Festival in Washington, D.C.
   “Over the years, the Georgia Symphony Orchestra has collaborated with diverse cultural organizations nationwide,” said Bob Sanna, Executive Director of the Symphony. “This award recognizes Georgia’s diverse cultural offerings and expresses our support for all the arts.”