(Spoiler: We Don’t Just Work on Concert Nights)
By Suzanne Tucker
If you’ve ever wondered what happens at the Georgia Symphony Orchestra between concerts, I’m delighted to report: quite a lot.
Here’s just a glimpse of what one recent week looked like:
It began with big-picture conversations about impact. We joined the Neuro Arts Coalition to explore the intersection of arts and health — because music doesn’t just move us emotionally; it strengthens communities neurologically and physically. We participated in a strategic planning seminar with the Georgia Center for Non-Profits and submitted a grant to the National Endowment for the Arts, ensuring that our artistic ambition is matched by thoughtful, sustainable growth.
At the same time, we were deep in preparation mode. The GSO Chorus rehearsed for Anniversary Songbook. Planning committees met for Jazz & Juleps. We connected with longtime donors and welcomed brand-new sponsors into the GSO family. And yes, conversations about Season 76 are already underway. (We plan ahead — sometimes very far ahead.)
Meanwhile, community connections were in full swing. We met with leaders from the City of Marietta and Woodstock Arts to discuss plans for celebrating America’s 250th. We showed up at Kiwanis, Women of Wellstar, Leadership Cobb Arts Night planning, and the Cobb Chamber — because being your orchestra means being present beyond the stage.
And then came the crescendo of the week.
- GSO Jazz played to a sold-out crowd at The Strand Theatre.
- Trumpeters represented the GSO at the Cobb Chamber Annual Gala.
- GYSO presented two concerts featuring nearly 200 student musicians and more than 550 proud family members.
- A brand-new composition by a KSU graduate received its premiere.
Behind the scenes, our box office processed more than 1,000 tickets. Six payrolls were run to support the talented local musicians who make this music possible. Our Operations team coordinated rehearsals, stage setups, and performances for seven ensembles across three different concerts.
Meanwhile, our Music Director—normally most at home on the podium—spent part of the week redesigning the entire GYSO website and driving 45 minutes to pick up discounted music stands from Facebook Marketplace. Because artistic excellence and bargain hunting are not mutually exclusive.
And yes — somewhere in the middle of all that — we picked up anniversary cakes from Costco and assembled balloon letters for GYSO’s 20th celebration. Because nothing says “thriving arts organization” quite like strategic planning in the morning, website redesign in the afternoon, and balloon wrangling before dinner.
And the best part? We get to do it all again this week.
This is the Georgia Symphony Orchestra.
Yes, we perform concerts. But we also advocate, educate, collaborate, plan, celebrate, mentor, organize, rehearse, connect, problem-solve, and occasionally transport sheet cake.
We are deeply woven into this community — and proud of it.
And here’s the part that matters most: none of it happens without you.
Every rehearsal supported, every student mentored, every grant submitted, every payroll processed, every sold-out show at The Strand, every music stand purchased at a discount — it is all made possible by the generosity of donors who believe music belongs at the center of community life.
If reading this makes you feel proud to be part of the GSO family, I invite you to take the next step. Attend a concert. Share our story. Or consider making a gift to help sustain this beautiful, busy, slightly balloon-filled work.
Because this rhythm — this momentum — this extraordinary week-in-and-week-out impact — continues only when we keep tempo together.
Thank you for being part of the music.
