Click photos to enlarge:
|
 |
Disintegrating the Musical Disconnect
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s
Coffee and Classics series
aquaints music lovers with
the performers.
By Mert Seaton
Community Free Press |
When an area music lover goes to a performance at the Springfield Symphony Orchestra they get a chance to catch rising stars and hear wonderful music. But the barrier of the stage and the bright lights can sometimes create a disconnect between the musician and the listener. To help break down that wall the orchestra has created a program that gives the public an opportunity to meet their favorite artist face to face. |
 |
 |
“Coffee and Classics gives people a chance to interact and meet performers,” said Ron Spigelman, musical director of the symphony. “They get to get up close and personal and get to know them. This gives people an overall personal connection and a chance to get insight into what we do.” |
Coffee and Classics is held at Borders Books and Music, 3300 S. Glenstone Ave., on the Thursday before each symphony concert. The event includes a meet and greet that starts at 5:30 p.m. and the program starts at 6 p.m. “Borders provides free coffee and people get to see the behind the scene details and get first hand knowledge about the performer,” Lisa Spigelman, marketing manager for the symphony said. “It is eye opening and entertaining. “People can come as they are and stay as long as they want. You can get free coffee and Borders gives event guests 20 percent discounts for that evening.This really offers something for everyone.”
|
 |
 |
 |
Musical artists at the event usually bring their instruments to perform in a comfortable environment. Guests at the event are also given the chance to ask questions of the performers on any topic they wish. “The questions are what give this event its uniqueness,” Ron Spigelman said. “When we had the performers from the ‘Three Phantoms in Concert’ come in a lady got to ask them which Broadway show she should go see. This gave the opportunity for three professional performers to make recommendations. It is a wonderful opportunity to get first hand information.” |
The idea for Coffee and Classics originated when Ron Spigelman was the assistant conductor at the Fort Worth Symphony. “We thought it was a way to put ourselves out there,” he said. “It was an outlet for people to come in contact with us and see we weren’t just a Johnny One Note organization where they come to a concert and then leave.” When Ron Spigelman came to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in 2004 he brought the idea with him. Eventually he was able to start the event and it has taken off from there. “The first time we had around 20 or 30 people,” he said. “Now we have 80 or more. We have our regulars, but sometimes the casual person walks by, takes a seat, because they are interested in what we are doing.” |
 |
 |
(20 year-old Lacey Lee fields questions from an astonished audience Thursday evening after her virtuoso performance on the harp.) |
|
 |
Ron Spigelman said the response from the community has been great, but they are not the only ones who enjoy the event. “The performers really love it,” he said. “They get to talk to music lovers in a relaxed atmosphere. When they leave they feel they have got a perfect experience of the community.” |
 |
 |
For the symphony the Coffee and Classics event is a community outreach program aimed to entertain and educate the people in the area. “I don’t believe in doing this program for ticket sales, that is not the goal,” Ron Spigelman said. “This is a quality of life program. Selling more tickets is a bonus, but it is not our primary purpose. We feel like we are servicing a need.” |
 |
 |
Ron Spigelman said the program is all about the community and giving people an outlet in their lives. “Once a woman who was a police officer came up to me and made the most amazing comment,” he said. “She said, ‘I had a day in which I saw a lot of ugliness. I wanted to come to something that was beautiful.’ “That is a very powerful thing to say and it describes what we are doing here.” |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Lacey Lee poses with Lisa Spigelman, Marketing Manager for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra |
|
 |
 |
| -- |
Thank You Ron, Lisa, Lacey and Borders!!!
|
Home | On-Line News | Archives | Contact Us | ©2008
B Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. 
