Greenville Symphony Orchestra facts for kids

The Greenville Symphony Orchestra (GSO) is a group of talented musicians in Greenville, South Carolina. They play beautiful classical music for everyone to enjoy. You can find their main home right in downtown Greenville, next to the Peace Center.

The GSO wants to share the joy of music with people in the Upstate area. They offer many different concerts each year. These include big "Masterworks" shows and smaller "Chamber Orchestra" concerts. They also have special "Spotlight Series" events.

The Masterworks concerts feature famous classical pieces. They are held at the Peace Center. The Chamber Orchestra concerts explore different kinds of classical music. These are performed at the Gunter Theatre. The GSO also has a fun "Holiday at the Peace" concert during the holiday season.

How the Orchestra Started

The Greenville Symphony Orchestra began in 1948. It started as a small group of musicians who played for fun. They practiced in an auditorium at the old Furman University campus.

One of the first musicians was Mary Evelyn Gooddy McCrary. She played many instruments, including the cello, viola, violin, and piano. For its first 50 years, the orchestra mostly performed at Furman's McAlister Auditorium.

The first conductor of the Symphony was Robert Cantrick. He was a professor at Furman University. After him, Pedro Sanjuan led the orchestra for five years.

Early Conductors and Growth

In 1956, Peter Rickett became the orchestra's first resident conductor. He was a bass instructor at Furman. Mr. Rickett led the Greenville Symphony for 34 years!

In 1990, a new performing arts center opened. It was called The Peace Center. David Pollitt became the orchestra's fourth music director that year.

Nine years later, in 1999, Edvard Tchivzhel took over. He became both the music director and conductor.

The GSO has grown a lot since it started. In 1948, they had only two concerts. By their 60th year, they were performing thirty-three concerts! People love their shows. A reviewer once wrote that it's "always a packed house."

Meet the Music Directors

The music director is like the leader of the orchestra. They choose the music and guide the musicians. Here are the people who have led the Greenville Symphony:

• Robert Cantrick (1948–1951)
• Pedro Sanjuan (1951–1956)
• Peter Rickett (1956–1990)
• David Pollitt (1990–1999)
• Edvard Tchivzhel (1999–present)

About Maestro Edvard Tchivzhel

Edvard Tchivzhel is the current music director and conductor. He was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. He comes from a musical family.

Maestro Tchivzhel has traveled all over the world. He has performed with many famous musicians. Some of these include Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, and Joshua Bell. He has also made many recordings with different orchestras. These include the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra.

Since Maestro Tchivzhel joined, many concerts have sold out. People really enjoy his performances. One reviewer said he "inspires the orchestra to excellence." Under his leadership, more people are buying tickets and attending concerts.

Music Education for Kids

The Greenville Symphony Orchestra cares a lot about teaching young people about music. They have offered special concerts for children since 1951.

Every year, GSO musicians play free concerts for students. Nearly 26,000 students in the Upstate area get to enjoy these shows!

Special Concerts for Young Audiences

Two popular concert series for kids are "Lollipops" and "Timbre Tales." These concerts are a fun way for young audiences to learn about classical music. They also learn about the different instruments in an orchestra.

The Lollipop Concert Series lets children experience live music. It's often paired with a storybook, making it even more engaging. The GSO also puts on a special children's concert every year. This concert is sponsored by Michelin.