Foothills Philharmonic held its annual Pops Concert on May 4, as well as it first ever Sensory Friendly Concert. This was an incredible day for us, as we hosted an event for those with needs in our community, then were able to cap off our 2018-19 season with a fun-filled concert featuring popular favorites from musicals, movies, and TV shows.
In addition, as our final event of the season, it opens the door for reflection on how the season went, and what we were able to do for our wonderful city of Greer. Most importantly, what also must be emphasized that none of this would have been possible without the support and interest of all of our patrons and the Greer community.
This past season, Foothills Philharmonic performed seven concerts in the city of Greer (three masterworks, a chamber concert, a pops concert, a Christmas concert, and our inaugural Sensory Friendly Concert). We hosted an instrument petting zoo, and art sale, a food drive, a Toys for Tots Drive, as well as inaugurated our first ever solo competition for high school students. Named the Future Stars Scholarship, this competition will allow high school students to compete for a $1,000 cash prize for college expenses, as well as the opportunity to perform their winning selection on an orchestra concert with the orchestra.
History for our organization was made on May 4 with our doubleheader season finale. The orchestra put on a wonderful program in the afternoon that was accompanied by dancing by the children present, and to top off the festivities in the evening, we were able to perform the same program to our audience and end the year with a resounding finish under the baton of the winner of the instrument petting zoo drawing (who was also the son of our principal second violinist).
As a community organization, while we strive to offer musicians in our community an outlet for their skills, we also desire to find ways to help bring together our entire upstate community, and events such as the Annual Pops Concert and the Sensory Friendly Concert are an ideal setting to provide all of these opportunities.
Looking forward beginning in September the orchestra will kick off its anniversary season with the Opening Night Gala that features our annual art sale. Featuring local artists, this is the chance for our artists to showcase their beautiful artwork for our concert patrons. At our November concert, we will be hosting our Annual Food Drive.
Designed to benefit the Greer Community Ministries, we try to collect as many canned items as possible to aid them, especially in light of the fact that this is the same month as Thanksgiving
Our final concert of 2019 brings one of our favorite events of the season, when we hold our Christmas Concert and Toys for Tots Drive. Featuring holiday favorites, it is the time of year where, through our Toys for Tots Drive, we are able to give to those children in need the opportunity to enjoy a Christmas that would not be possible due to their circumstances. We are very grateful for this opportunity to work with such a worthwhile organization in the Toys for Tots.
Blair Carrier, winner of our Future Stars Competition will have the opportunity of performing the winning solo with the orchestra. This particular event will occur at our final Masterworks concert of the season.
The Chamber Concert is in February, as well as the season finale doubleheader that features the Sensory Friendly Concert Matinee, and then the Annual Pops Concert in the evening.
The most important recognition is a huge thank you to the upstate community.
Foothills Philharmonic 20th Anniversary Season
2019
Sept. 21, Masterworks I
Nov. 2, Masterworks II
Dec. 14, Christmas Concert
2020
Feb. 8, Chamber Concert
March 28, Masterworks III
May 2, Sensory Friendly Concert, begins 3 p.m.
May 2, Pops Concert
Concerts begin 7 p.m. at Riverside Baptist Church, 1249 S. Suber Road.
Information: FoothillsPhilharmonic.org