The Augusta Symphony is now called “Symphony Orchestra Augusta.”  Symphony Orchestra Augusta’s 2009-10 concert season introduces “A New Era,” this year marks a pivotal time in the Symphony’s 55-year history as Music Director Shizuo Z Kuwahara begins his inaugural season. In its existence, only two Music Directors have led the Symphony: founder Harry Jacobs (1954-1991) and Donald Portnoy, who retired in June 2009.

The Symphony continues the tradition of presenting high-quality musical performances. Both the Symphony Series of six concerts and the Pops! at the Bell Series of four concerts feature acclaimed artists including pianist Stewart Goodyear, violinist Kyoko Takezawa, America and Air Supply, among others.. In its fourth season, the Columbia County Music Series presents a different perspective – each program being introduced by Maestro Kuwahara, and featuring the Symphony’s core musicians and friends in a variety of works. The Family Fun Series includes thematic concerts – the first in November, “Music, Out of This World!” and in February, “Movies, Cartoons, and Orchestra!” The December Family Fun concert takes you to the Pops! at the Bell Holiday Pops concert featuring “Bravo Broadway” singers, the Augusta Children’s Chorale, and an adult chorus. The SOA’s second appearance in the Westobou Festival includes a first-ever performance of Video Games Live!

Video Games Live (VGL), under the direction of guest conductor Jack Wall, opens the season on Friday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Westobou Festival, sponsored by The Porter Fleming Foundation. Think music concert, theatrical stage show, and interactive video game all wrapped into one! VGL features the best music and video clips from the most popular games from the beginning of video gaming to the present. VGL is presented at Bell Auditorium on Telfair Street and pre-concert entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets include a limited number of sponsorship tables (seating for for $1,200 ($800 is tax-deductible). Balcony and orchestra seating is available for $20-$50.  Ticket prices include 7% Georgia sales tax, electronic ticketing charges and handling fees. Call 706.826.4705 for tickets.

The Symphony Signature Series of six Saturday evening concerts, sponsored by MCGHealth, opens on October 10 highlighting the orchestra in three very brilliant pieces: John Williams’ (of Star Wars fame) “Sound the Bells,” Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 3, and Hindemith’s Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber. On November 14, Mr. Kuwahara presents the orchestra in Aaron Jay Kernis’ Too Hot Toccata.  Acclaimed pianist Stewart Goodyear performs Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2, and the orchestra will be highlighted in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3.  One of the Symphony’s own musicians, principal

cellist Yanghee Lee is featured on January 23 in a performance of Saint-Saens’ Cello Concerto

No. 1.  The orchestra is highlighted in Bruckner’s “Romantic” Symphony No. 4.  On February 20, the Symphony again features one of its own musicians, principal oboist Kelly Odell, in a performance of Bach’s Concerto Oboe d’amore. This Baroque concert also features Handel’s Solomon: Overture & Entrance of the Queen of Sheba, J. S. Bach’s Suite (Overture) No. 1, and W. A. Mozart’s Symphony No. 25.  On March 27, violin virtuoso Kyoko Takezawa performs Sibelius’ Violin Concerto.  The orchestra presents a Georgia premier, Joseph Schwantner’s Chasing the Light… and, Nielsen’s Symphony No. 2 (“The Four Temperaments”).  On April 17, the orchestra is highlighted in the final concert of the Symphony Series this season in Bizet’s L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2 and Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, described by Maestro Kuwahara as “a very sorrowful C-sharp minor resolving into the very triumphant key of D major, and is the perfect way to end the Symphony season of concerts!”  Symphony Series concerts are presented on Saturday evenings at First Baptist Church of Augusta at 7:30 p.m. Series tickets for all six Symphony Series concerts are available for $35-$250 and Mini-Series concert packages (three concerts) are also available beginning at $110. Ticket prices include 7% Georgia sales tax, electronic ticketing charges and handling fees. Call 706.826.4705.

The Pops! at the Bell Series, sponsored by University Health Care System, presents exciting performances by some of the best-known contemporary artists. America (“A Horse with no Name”) opens the Pops! at the Bell season on Tuesday, October 27 with songs from their impressive string of hits. Bravo Broadway singers, Jan Horvath and Doug LaBrecque present a “Home for the Holidays” Christmas concert complete with choral ensembles and holiday favorites on Friday, December 11.  A vocal a cappella ensemble with ten Grammy wins – Take 6 –presents (with and without the orchestra) a program of jazz, urban gospel, rhythm & blues, and pop on Thursday, February 11. On Friday, March 19, Air Supply performs an evening of best-loved hits including “All Out of Love”, and “Two Less Lonely People in the World”. Pops! at the Bell concerts are presented at 7:30 p.m. at Bell Auditorium on Telfair Street. Series tickets for all four Pops! concerts are available for $35-175. Ticket prices include 7% Georgia sales tax, electronic ticketing charges and handling fees.

The Columbia County Music Series, returns with a series of concerts this season featuring Symphony ensembles and guests – each of the four concerts will be introduced by Maestro Kuwahara. For years, SOA has cultivated and invested in a core group of musicians that are anchors of the orchestra. This series opens October 17 with the SOA String Quartet and features Principal Clarinetist Taylor Massey in a program of Mozart & Brahms. November 7 features Principal Double Bass Milton Masciadri with core musicians in the ever-popular Trout Quintet by Schubert (more to be announced soon). On January 9, Principals Taylor Massey, Jian Huang, and Yanghee Lee are featured with guest pianist and SOA’s new concertmaster (to be named in August).    All accomplished musicians; they are known for enlivening the community with inclusive musical offerings in historic and unusual settings and creating exceptional musical experiences that are unique, educational and relevant to all audiences.  This program features works by Glinka, Schoenfield, and Rota.  The series finale on March 6 will again feature the SOA String Quartet and the SOA Woodwind Quintet in works by Nielsen, Debussy, and Ravel. These concerts are presented on Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center in Evans. Series tickets for all four concerts are available for $70. Ticket prices include 7% Georgia sales tax, electronic ticketing charges and handling fees.

The Family Fun Series, sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities, presents three fun-filled concerts designed especially for the enjoyment of families and younger audiences. Join Maestro Z as he conducts the full orchestra in thematic concerts on November 15 & February 21 – “Music, Out of This World!” and “Movies, Cartoons, and Orchestra!” The Friday, December 11

Family Fun concert takes you to the Pops! at the Bell Holiday Pops concert featuring “Bravo Broadway” vocalists, the Augusta Children’s Chorale, and an adult chorus.  The November 15 and February 21 Family Fun Series concerts are presented on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. at Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre at Augusta State University. Pre-concert entertainment begins at 2:15 p.m. Series tickets for all three concerts are $15 for children and $30 for adults.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 8 when Symphony Orchestra Augusta and University Health Care System present its grand finale concert and the sixth annual FREE Pops! Under the Stars concert, with major support from Columbia County Community and Leisure Services — under the direction of Music Director Shizuo Z Kuwahara. Audiences of all ages will enjoy an evening of great music under the stars. Food and drink will be available for purchase. This concert is presented at the Evans campus of University Health Care System on Belair Road.  Pre-concert entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for all Series are available for purchase.  Single tickets for the Symphony, Pops! at the Bell, Columbia County, and Family Fun Series are also available for purchase but seating is not assigned until after September 1, 2009. Video Games Live tickets are now on sale.  To order tickets or for more information, call 706.826.4705, fax 706.826.4735, visit www.augustasymphony.org, or email marketing@augustasymphony.org. Call 706.826.4705 to request a 2009-10 season brochure. Located on the second floor of Sacred Heart Cultural Center on the corner of 13^th and Greene Streets, the Symphony Orchestra Augusta office is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.