Atlanta Symphony To Partner With Georgia Humanities Council For 'New Harmonies' National Exhibition

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has partnered with the Georgia Humanities Council, Center for Public History at the University of West Georgia, Georgia Council for the Arts, and Georgia Department of Economic Development for the statewide tour of New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music - a Smithsonian Institution exhibit about the early traditions of American music, April 14, 2012 – November 26, 2013. Georgia is the only state included in this national tour which is partnering with an Orchestra. The 12-city touring exhibit will include visual displays, lectures, and performances.

The New Harmonies exhibit will visit: Calhoun, Madison, Darien, Perry, Moultrie, Toccoa, Bremen, Thomson, Nashville, Americus, Waycross, and LaGrange, Georgia. The touring exhibit will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 14, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at the Harris Arts Center in Calhoun. Special guests will include Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal, Georgia Humanities Council President Jamil Zainaldin as keynote speaker, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra President Stanley E. Romanstein, Ph.D.

"The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra embraces its responsibility to enrich lives through the power of music," said Atlanta Symphony Orchestra President Stanley E. Romanstein, Ph.D. "Music comes in many forms which impact us in different ways - none more significant than how it shapes our history and defines who we are. It is important for people to have the opportunity to experience music in ways that are meaningful to them. This is why New Harmonies is such a great project in which to take part. It allows us to further our mission by sharing music with people all around the state."

As a presenting partner for the New Harmonies tour, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will extend access to its education, community, and concert programming to a broader geographic reach throughout the state of Georgia, while boosting local music participation, education, appreciation, and advocacy in each of the communities it reaches.

Through this new partnership, the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet will perform a free concert for Gordon County music students in Calhoun on Friday, April 20, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. The Orchestra will present a series of community and education events to accompany the exhibition in each of the 12 cities.