Concert Season 2024-2025

Join 42nd
Season Performances.

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The Coastal Symphony of Georgia engages, enriches, and inspires
our community through artistically vibrant musical performances.

Join us in the Golden Isles as we harmoniously honor 42 years of the Coastal Symphony of Georgia.

CELEBRATE OUR 42nd SEASON

This season of sounds promises to inspire, enchant and engage everyone of all ages as Music Director and Conductor, Michelle Merrill, guides us on a milestone journey of musical discovery.

The Coastal Symphony of Georgia is as vibrant as the Golden Isles. Thank you to every patron, supporter, business, and volunteer. Because of you, our 42nd Season shines like a lighthouse on the coast.

November 11, 2024
7:30 pm

Emotions
Soloist: Daniel Rios: Oboist

Details
February 3, 2025
7:30 pm

Genius
Soloist:
Alexander Sitkovetsky

Details
March 24, 2025
7:30 pm

Impressions
Composer:
Jesse Montgomery

Details

A MESSAGE From the Board President

Coastal Symphony Season 2024-2025
The 42 nd season of The Coastal Symphony of Georgia promises continuing musical delights and exciting new discoveries. Join us as Maestra Michelle Merrill leads our talented professional musicians in vibrant performances at four full orchestral concerts. And then come along to enjoy smaller ensembles of musicians in our SoundBites series and for occasional Salons.

Performances are at 7:30 pm in a variety of venues, as we await the completion of the new Center for the Arts on the campus of the College of Coastal Georgia. Details of the concerts, season subscriptions and individual ticket-ordering can be found on this website. Information on the other events and fundraisers to be held through the year will be on the website as those plans are completed. You can even sign up to be a volunteer here!

On this website as well, you will find important information about our Musical Mentors education program for students in local schools and other ways we engage with our community. Opportunities to contribute to these outreach efforts and to all that the Coastal Symphony offers can be done on the website.

We welcome all of you who are new visitors and first-time attendees, and we salute our regular patrons. We are grateful for your support. We also extend huge thanks to our very important corporate and philanthropic partners, dedicated volunteers, and many friends – music lovers all. YOU allow us to keep the music playing!

As our past president said so well, ” The Coastal Symphony of Georgia is as vibrant as the Golden Isles. Because of all of you – visitor, patron, supporter, volunteer – our 42 nd season will shine like a lighthouse on the coast.”

Leslie Graitcer, President
The Coastal Symphony of Georgia


 

The Coastal Symphony of Georgia in the News

Cabaret held to support local symphony - Feb 26, 2024

The late afternoon storms cleared as the final preparations were being made for the Coastal Symphony of Georgia’s annual fundraiser, Cabaret.

Read More

Concert, Cabaret on tap for February - Feb 1, 2024

Since taking the helm of the Coastal Symphony of Georgia, Michelle Merrill has made a point of sharing obscure pieces
with audiences. It’s clear that’s still her objective in the upcoming performance, aptly titled “Hidden Treasures.”

Read More

Local Q&A - Michelle Merrill - Jan 25, 2024

How long have you lived/worked in the Golden Isles? I am currently in my 6th season with the Coastal Symphony of Georgia.
Where is your hometown, if not here? I grew up about 60 miles east of Dallas, in a town named Canton, Texas.

Read More

Symphony season to open Monday - Oct 5, 2023
Michelle Merrill lives with one foot in the future. The conductor and music director for the Coastal Symphony of Georgia plans the orchestra’s concerts nearly a year in advance. “I have to put our season program together the previous year. So I start gathering different scores and looking at music about six months to a year out,” she said.

Read More

Crescendo Circle

The Crescendo Circle offers special donor recognition for those who annually contribute a minimum of $1,000.

Dedication

The Symphony is committed to offering performances of the finest in symphonic music. Your membership in the Crescendo Circle ensures our professional symphony can shine even brighter as the premier musical organization in the community.

Excellence

The Symphony is a rare gem, drawing professional musicians from major cities across the Southeast and audiences from throughout the Golden Isles. The Symphony’s music director and conductor, Michelle Merrill, has extensive experience conducting symphonies coast to coast.

Community

The Coastal Symphony draws those who love symphonic music into the performance hall and takes the music to smaller audiences with Salons and SoundBites events, Musical Mentors visits to area schools, and conductor-led speaker events.

Benefits

Participation in the Crescendo Circle includes these benefits:

All Levels:

  • Recognition in Symphony Concert Program
  • Exclusive donor recognition event for those who annually give a minimum of $1,000
  • Ability to pay in quarterly installments
  • Curated playlist by CSG musicians of favorite symphonic music
 

 

$2,500 and Above

  • Advance season ticket seat selection

 

$5,000 and Above

  • Advance tours of the new Center for Performing Arts

 

Giving

Please become a member of the Crescendo Circle and join us in Raising the Baton!

  • Fortissimo$10,000 +
  • Forte$7,500
  • Mezzo Forte$5,000
  • Mezzo Piano$2,500
  • Pianissimo$1,000



The Coastal Symphony of Georgia, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Named Chairs

Choose an Instrument that Reflects Your Passion. Add Your Name.

Our Named Chair initiative provides the stable foundation necessary for The Coastal Symphony of Georgia to engage, enrich and inspire our community through artistically vibrant musical performances.

Your support is honored in our concert publications for three years. We thank our Named Chairs representing corporations and small businesses, individuals, and families. Become a Named Chair and show the world your passion – and which instrument represents your personal or company brand.

Named Chairs

The Michelle Merrill Music Director and Conductor’s Chair

The Harrison Design Principal Harp Chair



The Ciot Atlanta Principal Timpani Chair

The Jane Günter-McCoy Memorial Principal Viola Chair

The James A. Heagy Principal Cello Chair

The Ruth Heagy Principal Flute Chair

The Thomas C. Heagy Second Flute Chair

The Clarence Heagy Principal Oboe Chair

The Chuck Cansler Memorial Principal Trumpet Chair

The Janice Lamattina and Bill Parker Principal Trombone Chair

The Morton P. Sherzer Memorial Piccolo Chair

The Leo E. Ruckle Principal Bassoon Chair

Sole Sponsor of a Principal Chair for three years: $3,000 per year
Violin II* Flute Trumpet
Viola Oboe Trombone
Cello Clarinet* Tuba*
Bass* Bassoon
Harp Horn* Percussion*

*Currently available for sponsorship

The contribution may be paid in one installment, or in annual installments over three years. Named Chairs contributions are tax deductible within the extent of the law.

For more information: coastalsymphonyofgeorgia@gmail.com |
912-634-2006.




Community Partners

The Coastal Symphony of Georgia serves audiences and communities throughout the Golden Isles and the world through the power of musical performance.

We are deeply grateful to the following businesses, families and individuals who are supporting symphonic arts. We ask that you visit and engage in business with these companies, say hello to those you meet in the intermission hallway, and give a hand for those who support the magical impacts our Symphony will continue to deliver.

For sponsorship information contact Lauren Kase at coastalsymphonyofgeorgia@gmail.com.

Become a Sponsor

Be instrumental in your generosity.

Your support ushers the joy of music to everyone possible through innovative concert and public space performances, events, and music education programs. Play your part by making a gift today.


Sponsorship Levels



The Coastal Symphony of Georgia is committed to offering performances of the finest in symphonic music, now and in the future. Become an important partner in the artistic life of our community to ensure this local professional symphony can continue to shine as the premier musical organization in the Golden Isles. We thank you.

Become a Corporate Sponsor

Your support will be widely recognized, reaching thousands of potential customers and clients online and in our direct-mailed newsletters, season programs, and with stage recognition and onsite signage at premier levels.

  • Supporting$175
  • Friends$275
  • Bronze$625
  • Silver$1,000
  • Gold$2,500
  • Platinum$5,000
  • Diamond$8,000

Become a Sponsor

Be instrumental in your generosity.

Your support ushers the joy of music to everyone possible through innovative concert and public space performances, events, and music education programs. Play your part by making a gift today.


Sponsorship Levels



The Coastal Symphony of Georgia is committed to offering performances of the finest in symphonic music, now and in the future. Become an important partner in the artistic life of our community to ensure this local professional symphony can continue to shine as the premier musical organization in the Golden Isles. We thank you.

Become a Corporate Sponsor

Your support will be widely recognized, reaching thousands of potential customers and clients online and in our direct-mailed newsletters, season programs, and with stage recognition and onsite signage at premier levels.

  • Supporting$175
  • Friends$275
  • Bronze$625
  • Silver$1,000
  • Gold$2,500
  • Platinum$5,000
  • Diamond$8,000

Volunteer

Your time and passion as a volunteer for The Coastal Symphony of Georgia helps us to play on. This 41st season we are seeking 40+ volunteers to help us in our seasonal performances and special events.

Connect with the spirit of our music and plug in!

  • There are many different things you can do as a volunteer to support
  • The Coastal Symphony of Georgia:
  • • Concert Usher
  • • Special Events
  • • Community Performances
  • • Musical Mentors
  • • Others

Opening Night - Made in America

Coastal Symphony of Georgia 2024-25 Concert Season

  • Michelle Merrill, Music Director and Conductor
  • Brunswick High School Auditorium
  • Monday, October 9, 2023, 7:30 p.m.


Program

  • Joan Tower: Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman #1
  • Aaron Copland: Billy the Kid Suite
  • Antonin Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 – New World Symphony

Opening Night begins with a Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman #1 by American composer, Joan Tower. The Fanfare, which she says is a tribute to “women who take risks and are adventurous,” is bold music featuring clashing cymbals, huge percussion strokes, and powerful rhythms.

Aaron Copland’s Billy the Kid Suite follows. Music written for a “cowboy ballet” incorporates cowboy tunes and American Folk songs as it tells the story of infamous outlaw Billy the Kid. The rich music opens with a pastoral setting on the open prairie before moving on to the merry tunes of a busy town, the percussive hurried pace of a gun battle, the celebration of Billy’s capture and finally his demise at the hands of sheriff, Pat Garrett, set to strings, winds, and brass.

Following intermission, we will hear Czech composer Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, popularly known as the New World Symphony. It was composed by Dvorak when he was director of the National Conservatory of Music of America and became greatly influenced by American Spirituals and Native American music. He advised American composers to turn to “Negro melodies” as a foundation of a serious and original school of composition, adding that “they are the folk songs of America.”

Poetry and Song

Coastal Symphony of Georgia 2024-25 Concert Season

  • Michelle Merrill, Music Director and Conductor
  • Brunswick High School Auditorium
  • Monday, November 27, 2023, 7:30 p.m.




Program

  • Bedrich Smetana: Moldau
  • Edward Elgar: Sea Pictures Song Cycle – Guest Soloist: Ashley Dixon, Mezzo Soprano
  • Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 1

The highlight of our fall concert will be a performance by Mezzo Soprano Ashley Dixon, a rising star on the national operatic stage. She will sing Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures Song Cycle with the orchestra. The music is taken from 19th Century poetry and will showcase her voice which has been described as a “robust instrument,” both “melodious” and “precise.”

The concert will open with Moldau, a symphonic poem written by Bohemian composer Bedrich Smetana, and it will close with Brahms Symphony No. 1 which took 14 years to complete and was hailed by conductor Hans von Bulow as “Beethoven’s Tenth” in 1877.

Christmas Concert

Coastal Symphony Quintet

  • The festive sounds of holiday favorites will be played by the Coastal Symphony’s Woodwinds Quintet at this special concert on St. Simons Island.
SOLD OUT

Enjoy your favorite holiday music performed by Coastal Symphony Principal Musicians

  • Les Roettges, Flute
  • Patrick Graham, Clarinet
  • Daniel Rios, Oboe
  • Anthony Anurca, Bassoon
  • Kate Caliendo, French Horn

A Cocktail Reception with the musicians follows the performance

Thursday, December 14 at 6:00 pm

VITALITY LIVING FREDERICA

3615 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island

$45 per person – Limited Seating

Cabaret de Paris

CONCERTS AND EVENTS

  • Cabaret returns for its 19th year, transporting you to the beauty of the new indoor Terrace amid the lush fairways and greens of the Frederica Golf Club on St. Simons Island. Experience the magic of Parisian cabarets, where the enchanting blend of captivating performances, delectable cuisine, and a rich history of artistic expression promises an unforgettable night of entertainment and glamour in the heart of the City of Lights.
Cabaret February 23, 2024 Patron/Reservations

Platinum Patron  $5,000
Reserved table for ten
Spotlight seating by stage
Recognition on Invitation and Program

Gold Patron  $3,000
Reserved table for eight
Premier seating by stage
Recognition on Invitation and Program

Silver Patron  $1,500
Reserved table for four
Elite seating
Recognition on Invitation and Program

Patron  $1,000
Elite seating for two
Recognition on Invitation and Program

Partner  $750
Preferred seating for two
Recognition on Invitation and Program

Benefactor  $500
Seating for two
Recognition on Invitation and Program

Individual Seats  $190

Hidden Treasures

Coastal Symphony of Georgia 2023-24 Concert Season

  • Michelle Merrill, Music Director and Conductor
  • Wesley Church at Frederica, St. Simons Island
  • Monday, February 5, 2024, 7:30 p.m.




Program

  • Ludwig Van Beethoven: Coriolan Overture
  • Ernst Sachse: Concerto for Bass Trombone - Guest Soloist: Christopher Bassett
  • Louise Farrenc: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor

The concert opens with Beethoven’s moving Coriolan Overture written for Heinrich Joseph von Collin’s tragedy, Coriolan. An old CSG friend, Christopher Bassett, returns to perform Concerto for Bass Trombone by 19th Century German composer Ernst Sachese. And an exquisite symphony from little known French Composer, Louise Farrenc closes the program.

Farrenc was a well-respected 19th Century composer, virtuoso pianist, and teacher whose music reflected a striking blend of Romanticism and Classicism. Her pieces were forgotten for awhile but are being rediscovered in the repertoire. Farrenc’s First Symphony shows an individual voice of considerable originality along with influences of Beethoven and Schuman.

Finely Crafted

Coastal Symphony of Georgia 2024-25 Concert Season

  • Michelle Merrill, Music Director and Conductor
  • Wesley Church at Frederica, St. Simons Island
  • Monday, April 29, 2024, 7:30 p.m.




Program

  • Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint George: Symphony No. 1 in G major
  • Maurice Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C major

The season finale opens with a lively and elegant, and well-crafted example of a classical symphony in 18th Century composer Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint George’s Symphony No. 1 in G major. Maurice Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin follows. Written in the early 20th Century, the tombeau (or memorial) has been described as light-hearted, sometimes reflective, but never somber.

The evening closes with Tchaikovsky’s graceful, poised Serenade for Strings in C major which he called “heartfelt.” The Serenade has many familiar passages which we may have heard at the ballet, the movies, or on television, and is considered one of the late Romantic era’s definitive compositions.

Message From the Conductor

Welcome to the Coastal Symphony of Georgia’s 2024-25 Season! I hope you will join us as we begin this year’s journey of imagination, discovery, beauty and exploration into multiple diverse and inclusive experiences that make our orchestra the pinnacle of the arts scene in the Golden Isles.

During this 42nd season, music lovers will be delighted to hear masterworks from Bach, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Debussy. WE will also discover some lesser-known masterpieces in Webern’s luscious Langsamer Satz, and Charles Griffes’ The White Peacock, along with new works by Jessie Montgomery, Brian Raphael Nabors, and Alma Deutscher. Our own Principal Oboe, Daniel Rios, will be featured in a work for oboe d’amore and orchestra, and world-renowned violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky take the stage with his magnificent Stradivarius violin.

In addition, we will continue our outreach into the schools and community, so be on the lookout for events outside the concert hall. On behalf of our entire Coastal Symphony of Georgia family, I want to invite you to join us in experiencing the power of music together. We can’t wait to see you there!

Michelle Merrill

Music Director & Conductor

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

  • Opening Night Concert | September 30, 2024 – 7:30 pm
    Brunswick High School Auditorium
  • SoundBites | October 17, 2024 – 6:30 pm
    Village Creek Landing, St. Simons Island
  • Fall Concert | November 11, 2024 – 7:30 pm
    Wesley Church at Frederica, St. Simons Island
  • Christmas Concert | December 10, 2024 – 6:00 pm
    Vitality Living Frederica, St. Simons Island
  • Winter Concert | February 3, 2025 – 7:30 pm
    Wesley Church at Frederica, St. Simons Island
  • Cabaret Gala | February 28, 2025
    Frederica Golf Club, St. Simons Island
  • Spring Concert | March 24, 2025 – 7:30 pm
    Brunswick High School Auditorium

A MESSAGE From the Board President

Coastal Symphony Season 2023-2024

The 41st Anniversary Season of The Coastal Symphony of Georgia begins October 9, 2023 and continues until April 29, 2023. During the past 40 years we have grown from a volunteer community orchestra to the fully professional premier musical organization in the Golden Isles. We are grateful to those who have gone before, and we are so excited about providing excellence in symphonic music in the years ahead.

We could not have accomplished any of this without the support and enthusiasm of our patrons, donors, advertisers, sponsors, and volunteer “working” boards of directors. Heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.

Our 41st Season promises to inspire, enchant and engage us as Music Director and Conductor, Michelle Merrell, will take us on another journey of musical discovery. Three concerts will be held at Brunswick High School and one at Wesley United Methodist Church at Frederica on St. Simons Island.

Don’t forget to order your tickets for a season you won’t want to miss. Keep visiting our website and watch for our newsletters. We promise to keep you informed.

If you have questions, feel free to contact the Symphony voicemail at 912-634-2006 and a representative will return your call – or email coastalsymphonyofgeorgia@gmail.com

Kern Baker,

President, Board of Directors

Download 41st Anniversary Season Program

Our Music Director

Michelle Merrill

Music Director and Conductor

 

Michelle Merrill enters her 7th season as Music Director of The Coastal Symphony of Georgia. She describes this as living her dream and feels blessed to help spread the power of music in the Golden Isles. Merrill continues to design symphony programs of superlative quality for our audiences. She often plans pieces composed by women and composers of color and enjoys planning music from both the old masters and new works alike.

Merrill is a recipient of the 2016 Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, and the prestigious 2013 Ansbacher Conducting Fellowship, awarded by members of Vienna Philharmonic and American Austrian Foundation, which enabled her to be in residence at the world-renowned Salzburg Festival. As a passionate and dynamic artist, she is the Symphony’s ambassador with community speaking engagements and also assists in development of SoundBites events and in-school Musical Mentors program.

A strong advocate of new music, Merrill recently conducted three Joan Tower works at Round Top Music Festival Institute in celebration of the composer’s 80th birthday, featuring soloists Carol Wincenc on flute and Brett Deubner on viola. She worked with composer Gabriela Lena Frank and soprano Jessica Rivera on Frank’s work La Centinela y la Paloma (The Keeper and the Dove), as a part of numerous community programs related to the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Prior to Ms. Merrill’s leadership in the Golden Isles, she served four years as Associate Conductor of Detroit Symphony Orchestra as the Phillip and Lauren Fisher Community Ambassador. Her conducting engagements have included symphonies and opera houses spanning cities coast to coast and in Toronto, Canada.

Merrill led the world premiere performance of Gabriela Lena Frank’s Walkabout: Concerto for Orchestra in 2017 with Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She made her debut at St. Augustine Music Festival conducting the world-premiere performance of Piotr Szewcyzk’s St. Augustine Suite written in honor of that city’s 450th anniversary. The highly praised 2015 performance was featured on NPR’s “Performance Today”.

Ms. Merrill stepped in on short notice with Meadows Symphony Orchestra for their performance of Shostakovich’s Fourth Symphony, which music critic Scott Cantrell of The Dallas Morning News described as “stunning” and later named to his list of Top Ten Classical Performances of 2014.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Michelle Merrill studied conducting with Dr. Paul C. Phillips at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts, where she holds a Master of Music degree in conducting and a Bachelor of Music in performance. She loves cooking, running, hiking, and spending time with her husband, Steve Merrill, principal percussionist with both Coastal Symphony of Georgia and Jacksonville Symphony, and their two sons.

Musicians

Artistic Excellence. Passionate. Meet the members of The Coastal Symphony of Georgia.

Concert Production

  • Michelle Merrill, Music Director and Conductor
    • The Michelle Merrill
      Music Director and Conductor's Chair
  • Jorge Peña, General Manager
  • Jin Kim, Librarian

1st VIOLIN

  • Aurica Duca
    • The Southeast Georgia Health System
      Concertmaster’s Chair
  • Anastasia Petrunina
  • Siyu Zhang
  • Andy Bruck
  • Ingang Han
  • Annie Hertler
  • Simon Shiao
  • Hannah Barrow
  • Arita Acton

2nd VIOLIN

  • Piort Szewczyk, Principal
  • Chi-Yin Chen
  • Alexandra Khaimovich
  • Helen Morin
  • Corina Donica
  • Kaitlin Smedley
  • James Chang

VIOLA

  • Jorge A. Peña, Principal
    • The Jane Günter-McCoy Memorial
      Principal Viola Chair
  • Romona Merritt
  • Cynthia Kempf
  • Yvonne Johnson
  • Angelo Goderre
  • Jessye Russom

CELLO

  • Jin Kim-Peña, Principal
    • The James A. Heagy
      Principal Cello Chair
  • Betsy Federman
  • Laurie Casseday
  • Brian Magnus
  • Ben Fryxell
  • Linda Minke

BASS

  • John Wieland, Principal
  • Kevin Casseday
  • Paul Strasshofer

FLUTE

  • Les Roettges, Principal
    • The Ruth Heagy
      Principal Flute Chair
  • Lorraine Roettges,
    • The Thomas C. Heagy
      Second Flute Chair
  • Jeana Melilli
  • Angela Sherzer

OBOE

  • Daniel Rios, Principal
    • The Clarence Heagy
      Principal Oboe Chair
  • William Wise
  • Christina Gavin

CLARINET

  • Kristen Spiridon Sanders, Principal
  • Patrick Graham
  • Sunshine Simmons

BASSOON

  • Anthony Anurca, Principal
    • The Leo E. Ruckle
      Principal Bassoon Chair
  • Ted Shistle
  • Sephanie Magnus

HORN

  • Debra Sherrill, Principal
  • Katharine Caliendo
  • Matt Monroe
  • Aaron Brask

TRUMPET

  • Kevin Karabell
    • The Chuck and Sue Cansler
      Principal Trumpet Chair
  • Robert Gallagher
  • Jonathan Swigert

TROMBONE

  • Christopher Graham, Principal
  • Whitney Clair
  • Justin Bain

TUBA

  • Bernard H. Flythe, Principal

TIMPANI

  • Ken Every, Principal
    • The Ciot Atlanta
      Principal Timpani Chair

HARP

  • Justine Dawn Tiu, Principal
    • The Harrison Design
      Principal Harp Chair

PERCUSSION

  • Steve Merrill, Principal
    • The H. William Emde
      Principal Percussion Chair
  • Joel Panian
  • Jesse Monkman
  • Tony Steve

KEYBOARD

  • Danielle Duncan

Board of Directors

The Coastal Symphony of Georgia, Inc
Board of Directors 2024-2025

Executive Director

Executive Board

  • Leslie Graitcer, President
  • Janice Lamattina, Vice President
  • Kern Baker, Immediate Past President
  • Zachary Harris Secretary
  • Charlie Martin, Treasurer
  • Kay Harrell, Assistant Treasurer

Directors

  • Myrna Scott Amos
  • Ryan Babcock
  • Jamie Bessette
  • Rebecca Farrow
  • Chad Goehring
  • Drew Holland
  • Nathan Kohlhoff
  • Shonda Kohlhoff
  • Dr. Colette Lee-Lewis
  • Creta Nichols
  • Orah Reed
  • Dave Snyder
  • Chris Triplett
  • Tim Wilson
  • Deborah Wright

History

We began in 1982 as the vision of two public school music teachers who helped establish the Brunswick Community Orchestra. In 1994, we were renamed The Coastal Symphony of Georgia, Inc. (CSG) and professional conductors were hired to direct the community-based orchestra. In time, professional musicians were added to the mix and, in 2013, Maestro Luis Haza took the orchestra entirely professional with a vision to provide the best in musical excellence for the community. That vision and commitment continues today under the baton of Michelle Merrill who joined us as Music Director and Conductor after Haza’s retirement.

Entering her seventh season, Merrill continues to design symphony programs of superlative quality for our audiences. She often plans pieces composed by women and composers of color and enjoys planning music from both the old masters and new works alike.

Coastal Symphony of Georgia Milestones
  • 1982Brunswick Community Orchestra begins by public school teachers Michelle Lazarus and Michael Smith
  • 1985Brunswick Community Orchestra forms nonprofit; first professional Conductor is Nicholas Palmer
  • 1986Roger Born serves as Conductor until 1993
  • 1994Name change to Coastal Symphony of Georgia; Richard Suggs new Conductor
  • 1998Kermit Breen, Conductor until 2002
  • 2002Richard Larson, Conductor until 2004
  • 2004Vernon Humbert, Conductor adds some professional musicians to the community orchestra
  • 2005Coastal Youth Symphony forms as affiliate
  • 2013Maestro Luis Haza, Music Director and Conductor until 2018; and first General Manager, Jorge Peña
  • 2014Youth Symphony formally reorganized as Golden Isles Youth Orchestra
  • 2019Music Director and Conductor Michelle Merrill
  • 202240th Season of symphonic music in the Golden Isles

Community Outreach

We harness the transformative power of live music to build community and to inspire the inner creative spirit in each of us.

Musical Mentors: Inspiring Young Minds

Musical Mentors allows children to connect with orchestra musicians and visiting professional musicians. We come to classrooms. The students interact with the musicians as they play and explain their instruments, and often the students are invited to play music on specially designed children’s instruments.

If you would like to support our musical mentors program, click here.

Elizabeth Kelly, composer; James Jenkins, tuba; and Barbara Careaga-Mitchell, violin, present a 5-day workshop each fall in-classroom: “Reaching for the Stars: Reinventing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ in Collaboration with Professional Musicians” as students “journey” with the Apollo 11 team.

• See how students at Glyndale Elementary School learned about theme and variation with The Coastal Symphony of Georgia visiting mentors.

Community Engagement

Performances for all People

We strive to bring high quality musical experiences to public spaces beyond our stages. It’s about re-introducing classical music to people who may not have an opportunity to hear our musicians play or are not aware of public performances. We do this by partnering with community organizations on events in which a small CSG ensemble performs. These events are typically free to the public and are accessible.

250th Birthday Celebration for Historic Downtown Brunswick

CSG played for Historic Downtown Brunswick’s 250th Birthday Celebration May 2022

Recently, Coastal Symphony musicians joined in the celebration of the 250th Birthday of Historic Downtown Brunswick with a performance of Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky. Offering a CSG birthday gift to the city were Ann Hertler and Ingan Han, violin; Angelo Goderre, viola; and Betsy Federman, cello.

The quartet performed the Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 6 in F minor (1846); it was the last, major piece of music the composer wrote before he died, and was composed in homage to his sister, Fanny, who had died earlier that year.

Conversely, the Tchaikovsky String Quartet No. 1 (1871) was written near the beginning of the composer’s career. It is said that one of the movements brought the author, Leo Tolstoy, to tears when it was performed at a tribute concert in his name.

Memorial Day 2022 Observance

Jacoby Brass Quintet, of Coastal Symphony of Georgia, played in Veteran’s Park, downtown Brunswick May 2022

The Jacoby Brass Quintet was honored to provide the music for a Memorial Day observance in the new Veterans Park in downtown Brunswick, presented by the Veterans Council of the Golden Isles. Symphony musicians who formed the Quintet were Aaron Brask, horn principal; Chris Graham, trombone principal; Tristan Clarke, trumpet principal; Michael Harper, trumpet; and James Jenkins, tuba. The Quintet performed the Armed Forces Medley, a musical salute to every branch of the military. To close the ceremony, Clarke and Harper performed the very moving Echo Taps, with one trumpet echoing the other.

We are planning 2023-2024 community engagements and will publicize these performances soon.