DEC. 3, 2013: Rotarians were entertained by a string quartet from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) at our meeting on Tuesday, December 3. Playing traditional holiday music before President John rang the bell got us all in the mood for the next of our very-close-together 2013 holidays and ready to hear a wonderful presentation from keynote speaker, Yuriv Bekker, Concert Master and Acting Artistic Director of the CSO. As an additional joy, Mr. Bekker and the string quartet performed one of the violin concertos, “Winter,” from Vivaldi’s much loved Four Seasons.
Mr. Bekker’s resume as an internationally known artist is worth a trip to Google where you would learn that this talented violinist has performed all over the world. A native of Minsk, Belarus, Mr. Bekker is now a proud citizen of the US and has served as the Concert Master of the CSO since 2007. He also currently holds the title of Acting Artistic Director of the Symphony and is widely credited as having served as a driving force in leading CSO through some of its most difficult times to its current position as the premiere example of Charleston’s vibrant art community.
Concert Master Bekker is clearly pleased with the successful innovation that CSO has introduced into its repertoire, noting the popularity of acrobats and other unexpected artistic combinations designed to ensure relevance of the symphony to our community. New fiscal policies have resulted in CSO being “in the black” and having one of the most responsible orchestra business models in the country.
Rightfully proud of expanded community attendance and support, it was clear that one of Mr. Bekker’s passions is impacting children with the magic of music and the ability to use various instruments to create it. Noting that there is an unarguable correlation among math, science, geography and music proficiency, our CSO leader has implemented a multi-faceted education program to develop a love for, and possible skill for playing, orchestral instruments. CSO has reached out to the broader business community to develop collaborative programs for students that range from early classroom introduction of musical instruments by accomplished performers to high school competitions allowing promising musicians to “Share the Stage” with professionals for a real performance. Concert Master Bekker was especially enthusiastic about a new National Young Artist Competition for high schools students who send in videos of their work and hope to be one of 6 semi-finalists—and ultimately one of the 3 selected musicians—who will perform as a member of the CSO in a special concert.
Submitted by Cheryl Kaynard, Keyway Committee