Organization to begin 13th season Sept. 16

The Georgetown Symphony Society will open its 13th season Sept. 16 with a concert of Pyotr Tchaikovsky music performed by the Temple Symphony Orchestra.

The concert, An Afternoon with Tchaikovsky, will include performances of the overture to "Swan Lake," Piano Concerto No. 1 and Symphony No. 4 by the TSO and Michelle Schumann, an artist in residence and assistant professor of piano at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

"When the orchestra strikes up the first notes of the "Swan Lake" overture, everyone's going to say, 'I recognize that, I know that,'" GSS President Liz Stewart said.

GSS was started in 1999 by residents Gaz and Dee Green, who wanted to bring classical music to the area instead of traveling to Austin for performances. The Greens and a group of their friends first arranged a performance by the Temple Symphony Orchestra's Children's Concert in January 2000 and raised $2,000 for sheet music for local music students. Two months later, the group officially formed a nonprofit.

During the society's first few years, each season consisted of four concerts presented by the TSO. With the creation of the Friends of the Georgetown Symphony Society, it was able to increase the number of concerts to six. This year, GSS will hold seven performances.

"We started out years ago, fairly slowly, but our season ... has grown steadily over the years," Stewart said.

In addition to hosting concerts, the society developed a musical enrichment program to foster a love of music and the arts in grade school–aged children. Every year, GSS brings in local fourth and fifth graders for a free concert.

"Education has always been one of our main goals," Stewart said. "Not only to bring quality classical music to Central Texas, but also to expose young students to classical music."

In the past, GSS has provided Georgetown High School with a Steinway Concert Grand piano and the Georgetown Public Library with the Druscilla Huffmaster Anderson Steinway Grand piano, which was owned by Ima Hogg, founder of the Houston Symphony. The society was also a founding member of the annual Georgetown Festival of the Arts and Art in the Square events.

Each program is made possible by donations and ticket sales, with each concert costing approximately $20,000 to present. The society will also present its inaugural fundraising gala in February.

"We rely very heavily on the generosity of our donors, both corporate donors and sponsors as well as individuals who step up to the plate," Stewart said.

Volunteer opportunities with the society are also available, including ushering concerts, answering telephones and stuffing envelopes.

The Georgetown Symphony Society's 2012–13 Season

All performances are held at 4 p.m. at the Klett Center for the Performing Arts at Georgetown High School, 2211 N. Austin Ave.

• Sept. 16 — An Afternoon with Tchaikovsky*
• Oct. 21 — Jan Jiracek in Recital*
• Nov. 18 — Romantics of the Past and Present*
• Dec. 2 — Sounds of the Season
• Jan. 27, 2013 — For Love of Country
• Feb. 8, 2013 — Gala Fundraising Dance
• April 7, 2013 — The Temple Jazz Orchestra
• April 28, 2013 — Amadeus!*

* A preconcert lecture will be given by retired music professor Ellsworth Peterson at 3:15 p.m.

Georgetown Symphony Society, www.gsstx.org