BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Sun Valley Summer Symphony has received a $6,000 grant from US Bancorp Foundation, in addition to a $10,000 season sponsorship.
This marks the fifth year US Bancorp has helped support the symphony, which is the largest privately-funded, free-admission symphony in the United States.
“This symphony adds such vibrancy to our community, not just in matters of music but in education for our youth, engagement with the members of our valley and in sheer creativity,” said Jackie Cole, of the Wealth Management Department at US Bank in Ketchum.
The symphony just completed its 34th season in Sun Valley and its 11th year of performing in the Sun Valley Pavilion.
The orchestra under the leadership of Music Director Alasdair Neale has grown to 114 players from North America’s top orchestras, including the San Francisco Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Houston Symphony and Pittsburgh Symphony.
Together these musicians present free concerts and programs featuring special guest artists such as violinist Joshua Bell, and singer Kristin Chenoweth to more than 50,000 people each year.
The symphony also partners with Blaine County Schools to provide year-round music education to local students through the symphony’s School of Music. And it provides music education to more than 300 students from across the countrywho attend its Summer Music Institute during the summer symphony season.